Smith County, KS Environment & Hazard Risk

• HailRelatively High$3.1M/yr expected annual loss, about 7.7 events a year
• DroughtRelatively Moderate$1M/yr expected annual loss, about 48 events a year
• Strong windRelatively Moderate$1.1M/yr expected annual loss, about 4.5 events a year
• Ice stormRelatively Moderate$213K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2 years
• Winter weatherRelatively Low$68.9K/yr expected annual loss, about 12 events a year
• WildfireVery Low$30.4K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3,001 years
• TornadoRelatively Low$899K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• LightningRelatively Low$139K/yr expected annual loss, about 45 events a year
• Heat waveVery Low$80.7K/yr expected annual loss, about 7.2 events a year
• Cold waveVery Low$172K/yr expected annual loss, about 3.3 events a year
• LandslideVery Low$50/yr expected annual loss, about once every 4 years
• EarthquakeVery Low$14K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2,439 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, hurricane, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes in high-risk flood zones

0

• Hail178
• Thunderstorm Wind114
• Drought55
• Winter Storm45 · 1 death
• Winter Weather35
• High Wind30
• Tornado17
• Heavy Rain15
• Blizzard12
• Flash Flood10

• Winter Storm01/31/2011

  Smith

  1 death

  What happened

  Storm total snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches combined with strong winds of 25 to 30 mph and periodic gusts approaching 45 mph brought reduced visibilities, occasional white out conditions and hazardous travel to the county. On Monday morning, a woman was killed in a one vehicle accident when she lost control and rolled, with the vehicle coming to a rest on its top. The accident was on Highway 36, 6 miles east of Kensington, and occured as the woman was driving to work in Smith Center.

• Drought12/01/2002

  Smith

  $10M damage

  What happened

  The prolonged drought across north-central Kansas occasionally was classified into the severe category this year. Most dry land crops were hard hit and there was some decreased yield with irrigated crops.

• Drought09/01/2000

  Smith

  $10M damage

  What happened

  As the 2000 growing season came to a close, north-central Kansas continued in the grip of a year-long drought. Beginning in the fall of 1999, the combination of the above normal temperatures and significantly lower than normal rainfall had produced lower crop yields, placed stress on livestock and literally "dried up" pastures. The short moisture profile last fall caused the germination of the spring wheat crop to be poor, and very little snowfall during the winter only compounded the problem. Increased moisture in the spring was offset by very dry conditions from late June through September and searing temperatures. Several communities recorded 20 days in August of temperatures over 100 degrees. Again this fall, farmers will find the soil moisture very limited and face the reality of another poor yield next year should significant rains not fall.

• TornadoEF3, 2.18 mi path, 1,580 yd wide05/28/2013

  Lebanon, Smith County

  1 injured, $4.4M damage

  What happened

  This tornado affected two counties in north central Kansas, touching down north of Lebanon in Smith County and lifting north of Esbon in Jewell County. The maximum wind speed was estimated to be near 140 MPH, with a maximum path width of 1580 yards. Along its path, this tornado caused minor to major tree damage, overturned irrigation pivots, snapped power poles and damaged or destroyed grain bins and outbuildings. Four homesteads suffered damage, with the hardest hit locations approximately 3 miles northeast of Lebanon in Smith County. Two homes in this area were heavily damaged or destroyed, with one losing its entire second level. This location also completely lost grain bins, a large outbuilding and newly constructed garage. One person suffered minor injuries and was treated and released from an area hospital.

• Flood06/02/2011

  Lebanon, Smith County

  $4M damage

  What happened

  Heavy rain in excess of 4 inches cause widespread flooding in southeast Smith County. The worst flood conditions were felt along the Oak Creek near Dispatch and its upstream tributaries.

• Thunderstorm Wind75 kt wind05/27/2002

  Harlan, Smith County

  $4M damage

  What happened

  Thunderstorms exited southern Nebraska and spread south across northern Kansas. Most storms produced winds around 60 mph and hail up to the size of golf balls. One storm packed winds in excess of 80 mph around the Portis and Harlan areas. The winds blew over 70 empty train cars and caused extensive crop damage. A passenger in a truck traveling along U.S. Highway 281 was struck by a piece of wood that flew into the window. The man was transported to a local hospital then airlifted to a Wichita hospital for additional treatment. Many areas, especially in Smith and Jewell counties, reported crops as a total loss. The damage in Jewell county was described as being destroyed to "table top" status. Tree limbs, power poles and farm outbuildings were damaged in many locations in the region. Some buildings in Smith Center and Downs sustained damage and windows were broken in Phillipsburg.

• Smith Center, City ofServes 1,572 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Smith Co Rwd 1Serves 475 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+3 monitoring or reporting
• Kensington, City ofServes 401 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+3 monitoring or reporting
• Lebanon, City ofServes 182 · Groundwater · Local government1 health violation+2 monitoring or reporting
• Gaylord, City ofServes 83 · Groundwater · Local government2 health violations+6 monitoring or reporting