Dorothy discovered the dangers of living in Kansas when a tornado ravaged her home in “The Wizard of Oz.” In the heart of Tornado Alley, Kansas sees about 100 tornadoes per year. Strong thunderstorms in the area can bring twisters. They can also douse the region with hail and heavy rains.
In 2008, more than 180 tornadoes touched down in Kansas. Although the tornado count has increased in the past two decades, the statistics may indicate that people are more educated and the weather service is more vigilant when it comes to these damaging events.
The Hoisington tornado of 2001 destroyed 200 homes. In 2000, the Parsons tornado destroyed 20 square blocks in the city. In 1990, a devastating storm developed near Pratt, Kansas. It produced
straight-line winds of up to 120 mph and caused more than $80 million in damage. The storm is referred to as the “Inland Hurricane.”
Tornado season falls from mid-April to mid-June. The frequency of these twisters peaks in May, and the state sees a steep decline in tornadoes after June. The decrease is due to the jet stream, which is
associated with a strong vertical wind shear and dies down as the hot, muggy summer sets in.
With the heat comes drought, and with dry weather comes an increased risk of wildfires. Kansas is facing one of the top five biggest drought threats in the contiguous 48 states. The wildfire threat in the state is projected to quadruple by 2050. More than 400,000 people in Kansas are currently living in areas that are at a high risk of destruction by wildfire.
Kansas is also prone to other summer weather risks, including flash floods, damaging winds and large hail. Every year from March 4 to 8, Topeka promotes Severe Weather Awareness Week, during which
residents receive education about tornado, lightning, hail, wind and flood safety.
In 1992, two storms attacked Wichita, launching baseball-sized hail that destroyed $500 million worth of private property. After this event, homeowner insurance prices increased. Kansas is expected to
experience a higher frequency of severe storms in 2019 too.
The Kansas FAIR Plan offers basic property and casualty insurance to responsible homeowners who can’t get insurance through the voluntary markets. However, it’s not the only option for residents in high-risk areas. Going through the private insurance marketplace allows homeowners to protect their assets without destroying their budget.