Olathe, Kansas Natural Disasters | Johnson County Hazard Db

HazardDB

Hazard Score

118 Catastrophes Recorded

Historical_Hail

Historical_Tornadoes

Historical_Floods

Historical_Wind

Olathe, Kansas

23 Land Tracts in Johnson County , Lower Kansas Watershed

Olathe, Kansas faces a variety of natural disaster risks, with very high ratings for severe weather and lightning hazards. Located in Johnson County within the state of Kansas, the area is prone to tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and hailstorms due to its geographical location in Tornado Alley. The high levels of precipitation and humidity in the region contribute to the frequency and intensity of these weather events, posing a significant risk to the population of over 600,000 residents.

Additionally, Olathe's proximity to the Lower Kansas and Kansas hydrologic units increases the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall and snowmelt. The presence of fault lines and unique geological formations in the region, such as the Missouri River and the Kansas River, further exacerbate the flood risk in the area. The relatively moderate risk of landslides and relatively high risk of wildfires also add to the overall hazard profile of Olathe, making it essential for residents to have emergency preparedness plans in place.

Furthermore, the area's vulnerability to earthquakes, as indicated by a relatively low risk rating, is worth noting despite Kansas not being traditionally associated with seismic activity. The combination of climate factors, geological features, and historical events in Olathe underscores the importance of proactive measures to mitigate natural disaster risks and ensure the safety of the community.

Wildfire Risk: Very Low

Tornado Risk: Low

Hurricane Risk: Very Low

Hail Risk: Moderate

Flood Risk: High

Tsunami Risk: Very Low

Earthquake Risk: Very Low

Wind Risk: Moderate

HAZARDS

18

Power Transmission Lines

0

Coastlines

24

Water Bodies

0

Fault Lines

EMERGENCY SERVICES

10

Hazard Shelters

6

Fire Stations

1

Hospitals

1

Police Stations

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Based on the hazard risk indexes, Johnson County, Kansas, faces relatively moderate overall risk, with a high vulnerability to climate-related events. The county has a high frequency of severe weather events such as hailstorms, tornadoes, and lightning strikes, which contribute significantly to the overall risk score. Additionally, the county experiences a moderate frequency of windstorms and flooding events, further adding to the overall hazard risk.

Johnson County's geographical features include a mix of urban and rural areas, with no significant coastlines or fault lines present. However, the county is characterized by its flat terrain, which can exacerbate flooding events. The presence of several water bodies in the area, including streams and reservoirs, also increases the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall events. Additionally, the county's proximity to major highways and urban centers may impact evacuation efforts and disaster response during emergencies.

Historical events in the region include tornado ... Read More

CLIMATE OVERVIEW

Average Temperature

13 °F Cold

Average Precipitation

1008 mm Moderate

Average Humidity

81% Moderately High

Plant Hardiness

6/10 Moderately High

NATURAL CATASTROPHE TIMELINE

Hailstorm

2019-09-27

Flooding

Heavy Rain

2019-05-20

Flooding

Flooding

Heavy Rain Snowmelt Dam B

2010-03-10

Hailstorm

2009-06-09

Hailstorm

2009-05-15

Flooding

Torrential Rain

2008-08-09

Flooding

Heavy Rain

Flooding

Heavy Rain

1995-05-10

Flooding

Rain And Snowmelt

Hailstorm

1989-05-18

Flooding

Tornado

1954-06-30

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