US history

Tornadoes in Kansas

Kansas averages 96 tornadoes per year. Here is the complete history.

The stats

Average: 96 tornadoes/year.
Peak season: May peak, April-June range.
Regional patterns.
Community awareness.
Skywarn or equivalent spotter network active.

Notable events

1879 Irving F4 — 32 dead. Historic.
1955 Udall F5 — 80 dead. Wichita area. Nighttime.
1957 Kansas outbreak — multiple events, Ruskin Heights impact.
1991 Andover F5 — 17 dead. Iconic wedge photography.
2007 Greensburg EF5 — 13 dead. Town 95% destroyed at night.
2016 Chapman EF3 — significant, photogenic.
2018 Eureka EF3 — nighttime.
2019 Linwood EF4 — Kansas City suburbs.
2022 Andover EF3 — 31 years after the 1991 F5.
2024 outbreaks — continued activity through the season.

Major cities

Wichita metro

650k. Multiple historic events including 1991 Andover.

Kansas City KS

150k. Multi-state metro.

Overland Park

200k. Metro KC. 2019 Linwood.

Topeka

125k. Capital.

Olathe

145k.

Lawrence

95k. University town.

Salina

46k. Central chase base.

Manhattan

54k. Kansas State University.

Greensburg

750. 2007 EF5 legacy — rebuilt as green town.

Andover

15k. 1991 + 2022 events.

Weather service coverage

NWS Wichita

S-central and southern Kansas.

NWS Topeka

NE Kansas.

NWS Dodge City

SW Kansas.

NWS Goodland

NW Kansas.

NWS Kansas City-Pleasant Hill

Metro KC area.

NWS Hastings NE

N-central KS coverage.

Preparedness

Weather radio.
Wireless alerts enabled.
Family communication plan.
Community shelter awareness.
Storm shelter or basement.
Insurance current.
Regular drills.
Emergency contact list.

For residents

Preparedness essential.
Local forecast office familiarity.
Community engagement.
Multi-hazard awareness.
Family plan.
Insurance verification.
Ongoing education.