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Independence, KS Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes

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The chance of earthquake damage in Independence is about the same as Kansas average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Independence is lower than Kansas average and is higher than the national average.

Topics:Earthquake Index Volcano Index Tornado Index Other Weather Extremes Events Volcanos Nearby Historical Earthquake Events Historical Tornado Events

Earthquake Index, #608

Independence, KS	0.00
Kansas	0.05
U.S.	1.81

The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.

Volcano Index, #1

Independence, KS	0.0000
Kansas	0.0000
U.S.	0.0023

The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.

Tornado Index, #542

Independence, KS	196.59
Kansas	252.53
U.S.	136.45

The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.

Other Weather Extremes Events

A total of 3,894 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Independence, KS were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:

Type	Count	Type	Count	Type	Count	Type	Count	Type	Count
Avalanche:	0	Blizzard:	3	Cold:	8	Dense Fog:	3	Drought:	34
Dust Storm:	0	Flood:	392	Hail:	1,697	Heat:	27	Heavy Snow:	45
High Surf:	0	Hurricane:	0	Ice Storm:	28	Landslide:	0	Strong Wind:	48
Thunderstorm Winds:	1,466	Tropical Storm:	0	Wildfire:	2	Winter Storm:	53	Winter Weather:	17
Other:	71

Volcanos Nearby

No volcano is found in or near Independence, KS.

Historical Earthquake Events

No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Independence, KS.

No historical earthquake events found in or near Independence, KS.

Historical Tornado Events

A total of 83 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Independence, KS.

Distance (miles)	Date	Magnitude	Start Lat/Log	End Lat/Log	Length	Width	Fatalities	Injuries	Property Damage	Crop Damage	Affected County
2.7	1954-05-01	2	37°13'N / 95°40'W	37°18'N / 95°41'W	5.60 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Montgomery
6.2	2006-03-30	2	37°08'N / 95°55'W	37°21'N / 95°44'W	16.00 Miles	125 Yards	0	1	1.0M	0K	Montgomery
		Brief Description: The tornado produced F2 damage 4 miles north of Wayside, and again 2 miles southwest of Sycamore. Several homes and mobile homes were damaged or destroyed along its 16 mile path. The most concentrated damage occurred roughly 2 to 3 miles southwest of Sycamore in the township of Radical, where several homes and mobile homes sustained damage, some of which was major. Additionally, numerous trailers were overturned at Elk City Lake, along with damage at Elk City Lake State Park. Unfortunately, one man was seriously injured (direct) 3 miles southwest of Sycamore, when his home was hit by the tornado. Average path width ranged from 75 to 125 yards.
11.1	1991-04-26	2	37°16'N / 95°33'W	37°22'N / 95°32'W	6.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Montgomery
12.1	1957-05-16	2	37°14'N / 95°59'W	37°35'N / 95°25'W	39.30 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Chautauqua
14.0	1982-03-15	3	37°01'N / 95°51'W	37°04'N / 95°45'W	6.00 Miles	300 Yards	1	1	2.5M	0	Montgomery
18.4	1981-05-23	2	36°57'N / 95°47'W	36°59'N / 95°37'W	9.50 Miles	33 Yards	0	3	0K	0	Nowata
18.6	1981-05-23	2	36°57'N / 95°42'W	36°59'N / 95°38'W	4.50 Miles	100 Yards	0	3	250K	0	Nowata
19.7	2000-04-19	3	37°15'N / 95°33'W	37°24'N / 95°12'W	21.00 Miles	440 Yards	0	27	71.0M	0	Labette
		Brief Description: The same tornado that formed 3 miles south of Cherryvale at 1930 CST in eastern Montgomery County, the tornado entered western Labette County at 1934 CST, 10 miles southwest of Dennis. Moving northeast around 35 mph, the tornado passed 4 miles south of Dennis at 1940 CST. At 1945 CST, the tornado entered southwest Parsons where it inflicted major damage to a law enforcement center, a movie theater, and a carnival. In all, 750 buildings were damaged of which 633 were homes. Of the homes, 53 were destroyed, 112 sustained major damage and 468 received minor damage. Of the 117 commercial buildings that sustained damage, 20 were destroyed, 28 received major damage, and 69 received minor damage. Total damage estimate: $40 million. A total of 27 people were injured, most were minor. Though inflicting F3 damage when it hit Parsons, the tornado possessed F1 intensity for most of it's track. This same tornado would continue moving northeast, clipping southeast Neosho County. Area newspapers contributed to this report.
21.2	1981-05-23	2	36°56'N / 95°53'W	36°57'N / 95°47'W	5.70 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Washington
21.5	1973-05-26	3	36°58'N / 95°55'W		0.30 Mile	100 Yards	0	3	3K	0	Washington
22.8	1979-03-18	3	36°55'N / 95°52'W	36°55'N / 95°48'W	4.10 Miles	30 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Nowata
23.5	1988-11-15	2	37°24'N / 95°26'W	37°29'N / 95°19'W	7.50 Miles	50 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Neosho
24.3	1991-04-26	2	36°53'N / 95°56'W	36°56'N / 95°50'W	6.00 Miles	100 Yards	1	10	250K	0	Washington
24.7	1979-03-18	3	36°54'N / 95°56'W	36°55'N / 95°52'W	3.80 Miles	30 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Washington
25.4	1961-03-26	2	36°45'N / 96°00'W	37°00'N / 95°38'W	26.60 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Washington
25.4	1982-03-15	2	36°49'N / 95°51'W	36°55'N / 95°40'W	12.00 Miles	177 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Nowata
25.9	1982-03-15	2	36°52'N / 95°37'W				0	0	250K	0	Nowata
25.9	2005-04-21	3	37°25'N / 95°21'W	37°26'N / 95°16'W	5.00 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	200K	0	Neosho
		Brief Description: Damage summary: Two miles south of Galesburg: One barn damaged & two out-buildings destroyed. Three miles southeast of Galesburg: Two mobile homes destroyed, one frame house dislodged from it's foundation & two barns destroyed. Four miles east-southeast of Galesburg: Frame house unroofed with two exterior walls collapsed. A garage and one shed were destroyed. Tree damage occurred at each of these locations.
25.9	2003-04-19	2	36°51'N / 96°00'W	36°56'N / 95°49'W	12.00 Miles	440 Yards	0	3	1.7M	0	Washington
		Brief Description: A tornado entered Washington county 5 miles northwest of Dewey and passed between Dewey and Copan before entering Nowata county 1 mile north of Wann or 6.8 miles east northeast of Copan. The tornado produced F2 damage and a half mile wide damage path at its peak. 41 homes, two businesses and 40 barns and sheds were damaged. 16 of the homes were severely damaged including two mobile homes which were completely destroyed. Three people were treated at an emergency room of a hospital in Bartlesville due to injuries received during the tornado. Two of those people were inhabitants of one of the moble homes that was destroyed.
27.2	1958-11-17	2	36°51'N / 95°36'W				0	0	3K	0	Nowata
27.5	1982-03-15	3	37°01'N / 95°26'W	37°09'N / 95°04'W	24.00 Miles	167 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Labette
28.3	1958-05-31	3	37°15'N / 95°12'W		0.30 Mile	100 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Labette
28.5	1973-03-08	2	37°26'N / 95°24'W	37°34'N / 95°14'W	12.80 Miles	440 Yards	0	1	250K	0	Neosho
28.7	1954-05-01	2	37°08'N / 95°14'W	37°11'N / 95°10'W	5.10 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Labette
29.6	1996-05-26	2	36°50'N / 95°29'W	36°55'N / 95°21'W	8.00 Miles	880 Yards	0	0	75K	0	Craig
29.8	1980-04-07	2	36°52'N / 96°00'W		1.50 Miles	440 Yards	0	1	250K	0	Osage
30.6	1973-05-11	2	37°36'N / 95°24'W				0	0	250K	0	Neosho
30.8	1972-04-19	2	37°36'N / 96°02'W		20.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Greenwood
32.7	1959-09-27	2	37°03'N / 95°12'W	37°07'N / 95°06'W	7.20 Miles	440 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Labette
32.8	1965-06-03	2	37°22'N / 96°18'W	37°39'N / 96°06'W	22.40 Miles	87 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Elk
32.9	1954-07-22	2	37°05'N / 95°11'W	37°13'N / 95°04'W	11.20 Miles	440 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Labette
33.4	1981-05-17	2	36°59'N / 96°14'W				0	0	0K	0	Osage
33.8	1956-04-02	4	37°28'N / 96°16'W	37°36'N / 96°08'W	11.50 Miles	880 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Elk
33.8	1959-06-18	2	37°32'N / 96°12'W		2.50 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	3K	0	Elk
34.2	2000-04-19	2	37°30'N / 95°20'W	37°34'N / 95°06'W	15.00 Miles	440 Yards	0	3	1.8M	0	Neosho
		Brief Description: Forming at 1920 CST 6 miles southwest of Erie, the tornado moved northeast around 35 mph passing just south of Erie at 1931 CST. F2 intensity for much of it's track, the tornado injured 3 people on the southern periphery of Erie as it destroyed or heavily damaged 12 homes, several mobile homes, as well as a few trees. This tornado then crossed into Crawford county.
34.7	1964-11-15	2	37°39'N / 96°04'W		0.80 Mile	400 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Greenwood
34.9	1973-06-04	2	37°42'N / 95°57'W	37°44'N / 95°51'W	5.90 Miles	300 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Greenwood
35.0	1959-09-27	4	37°00'N / 95°08'W	37°07'N / 95°06'W	8.20 Miles	440 Yards	1	1	25K	0	Labette
35.7	1982-03-15	2	37°40'N / 96°04'W		1.00 Mile	300 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Greenwood
35.8	1959-09-27	4	36°51'N / 95°15'W	37°00'N / 95°08'W	12.20 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Craig
36.6	1996-05-26	2	36°36'N / 95°39'W	36°50'N / 95°29'W	18.00 Miles	880 Yards	0	0	200K	0	Nowata
36.6	1956-04-02	4	37°36'N / 96°08'W	37°47'N / 95°58'W	15.50 Miles	880 Yards	0	5	250K	0	Greenwood
36.7	1982-03-15	2	36°44'N / 96°01'W	36°46'N / 95°58'W	3.00 Miles	177 Yards	0	57	25.0M	0	Washington
37.3	1956-04-02	4	37°18'N / 96°28'W	37°28'N / 96°16'W	15.80 Miles	880 Yards	1	6	2.5M	0	Elk
37.4	1960-11-27	2	37°19'N / 96°28'W	37°30'N / 96°15'W	17.30 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Elk
37.6	1982-03-15	2	37°23'N / 95°04'W	37°24'N / 95°03'W	2.00 Miles	600 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Labette
37.9	1965-04-05	2	36°44'N / 96°00'W		1.50 Miles	67 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Washington
38.6	1982-03-15	3	37°09'N / 95°04'W	37°11'N / 94°58'W	6.00 Miles	167 Yards	1	6	2.5M	0	Cherokee
38.9	1973-03-08	2	37°34'N / 95°14'W	37°36'N / 95°05'W	8.40 Miles	440 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Neosho
38.9	2008-05-10	2	37°00'N / 95°08'W	36°59'N / 95°01'W	5.00 Miles	500 Yards	0	0	600K	0K	Craig
		Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado developed just south of the Oklahoma-Kansas border north-northwest of Welch. It moved rapidly east across northeastern Craig County, intensifying and widening as it moved into Ottawa County. In Craig County, the tornado destroyed several mobile homes, severely damaged about a dozen other homes, snapped or uprooted numerous trees, and blew down power poles and power lines. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Elevated severe thunderstorms containing large hail developed north of a warm front that was moving slowly northward across eastern Oklahoma and west central Arkansas during the morning and early afternoon of the 10th. Another round of severe thunderstorms developed late in the afternoon as a dry line approached the area from the west. Extreme instability and strong vertical wind shear resulted in the development of long-lived supercell thunderstorms that moved across eastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas during the late afternoon and evening. Several of these supercells became tornadic and a few produced long-lived damaging tornadoes. One such supercell developed and moved along the Oklahoma-Kansas border and then into southwestern Missouri. This storm produced a tornado in northeastern Craig County OK that remained on the ground for 29 miles in Oklahoma, continued for about 31 miles in Newton County MO, and finally dissipated about 15 miles into Barry County MO. It produced EF-4 damage in several locations, including Picher, a small town in north-central Ottawa County OK. Twenty-one fatalities, over 350 injuries, and an estimated $60 million in property damage resulted from this tornado in Oklahoma and Missouri. Six of the fatalities and about 150 injuries occurred in Picher OK. Other strong tornadoes developed and moved across portions of Pittsburg and Latimer Counties. A EF-2 tornado was on the ground for about eight miles west of McAlester, damaging numerous homes in its path. Another EF-2 tornado developed southwest of Hartshorne in Pittsburg County and moved 19 miles before dissipating just east of Yanush in Latimer County. Four injuries resulted from that tornado and numerous homes were severely damaged or destroyed.
39.3	1961-05-07	2	37°06'N / 95°01'W	37°11'N / 95°00'W	5.70 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Cherokee
39.5	1973-05-11	2	37°18'N / 95°00'W				0	0	250K	0	Cherokee
40.0	1991-04-26	3	37°37'N / 96°16'W	37°38'N / 96°14'W	2.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Greenwood
40.5	1991-04-26	3	37°28'N / 96°25'W	37°37'N / 96°16'W	12.00 Miles	200 Yards	1	2	250K	0	Elk
40.8	1956-04-02	4	37°47'N / 95°58'W	37°48'N / 95°57'W	1.30 Miles	880 Yards	0	5	25K	0	Woodson
41.0	2000-04-19	2	37°21'N / 95°03'W	37°25'N / 94°56'W	8.00 Miles	300 Yards	0	4	300K	0	Crawford
		Brief Description: An F2 tornado entered the southwest corner of Crawford County west of McCune and traveled northeast over the southwest section of the county. The intermittent damage path was 300 yards wide. Although the tornado stayed over rural areas, it still managed to severely damage or destroy 5 homes and several outbuildings. Four persons were injured by flying debris. The tornado lifted about 6 miles northeast of McCune.
42.5	1991-04-26	3	37°45'N / 96°05'W	37°51'N / 95°57'W	10.00 Miles	50 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Greenwood
42.6	1975-04-24	2	36°48'N / 95°09'W	36°52'N / 95°06'W	5.20 Miles	77 Yards	0	3	250K	0	Craig
43.1	1983-03-26	2	36°48'N / 95°09'W		1.00 Mile	50 Yards	0	1	25K	0	Craig
43.3	1956-04-02	4	37°15'N / 96°32'W	37°18'N / 96°28'W	5.10 Miles	880 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Chautauqua
44.0	1973-03-08	2	37°36'N / 95°05'W	37°36'N / 95°02'W	2.30 Miles	440 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Crawford
44.0	1954-05-31	2	37°30'N / 95°31'W	37°50'N / 94°44'W	48.60 Miles	210 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Neosho
44.0	1954-05-31	2	37°30'N / 95°31'W	37°50'N / 94°44'W	48.60 Miles	210 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Neosho
44.2	1964-04-20	2	37°44'N / 95°18'W	37°48'N / 95°14'W	5.70 Miles	33 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Allen
44.4	1959-05-09	3	36°31'N / 95°46'W	36°40'N / 95°34'W	15.20 Miles	50 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Rogers
44.4	1982-03-15	2	37°47'N / 95°51'W	37°58'N / 95°30'W	24.00 Miles	500 Yards	0	0	2.5M	0	Woodson
45.4	1954-03-24	2	37°43'N / 95°31'W	37°57'N / 95°14'W	22.20 Miles	880 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Wilson
45.9	1991-03-26	2	37°49'N / 95°27'W	37°53'N / 95°21'W	8.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	1	2.5M	0	Allen
46.1	2003-05-08	3	37°48'N / 95°57'W	38°00'N / 95°31'W	22.00 Miles	350 Yards	0	3	2.5M	261K	Woodson
		Brief Description: Damage summary: Toronto: Outbuildings destroyed. 1N Toronto: Trees & limbs downed. 1W Batesville: Large trees uprooted and sheared off, sheet metal in trees, old wood shed destroyed. 1N Batesville: Oil tank 12-15 feet high toppled (leaked profusely), power pole blown over. 2NE Batesville: House destroyed, 2 vehicles heavily damaged, pair of 2-3 foot diameter trees stripped 4 feet off ground. 3-4NE Batesville: Cattle barn & garage destroyed, windows blown out of house, large pick-up truck rolled onto side. 1N Yates Center: House & barn destroyed on Highway 75, horse trailer flipped over, large trees uprooted or snapped off at bases, broke or toppled 70 grave markers at the cemetery. 1NW Yates Center: Two-story house and 3 barns destroyed, trees completely shreaded. Yates Center: Five homes destroyed and 30 damaged. Two of the three injuries occurred at one residence with both requiring transport to a hospital. Forty-five miles of fence damaged. Stored hay contaminated by embedding of wiring and nails. Estimated crop losses: Corn: 300 acres. Wheat: 100 acres. Pasture: 1312 acres. Hay: 655 acres. Of the estimated $2.5 million damage, $1.506 million inflicted upon farming facilities. Farming facility damage breakdown: Dwellings and Service Buildings: $900,000; Structures: $6,000; Machinery & equipment: $600,000. USDA Flash Situation Report contributed greatly to this narrative. This tornado would cross just barely into extreme Northwest Allen County.
46.5	1982-03-15	2	37°24'N / 95°03'W	37°29'N / 94°46'W	15.00 Miles	600 Yards	0	3	2.5M	0	Crawford
46.5	2000-04-19	2	37°33'N / 95°05'W	37°40'N / 94°56'W	8.00 Miles	200 Yards	0	0	200K	0	Crawford
		Brief Description: An F2 tornado entered western Crawford County about 3 miles south of Walnut and moved through the northwest portion of the county. The damage path was intermittent and about 200 yards wide. The tornado stayed mainly over rural areas and uprooted trees and damaged or destroyed 3 homes and several outbuildings. The tornado exited the county just east of Hepler and moved into southern Bourbon County.
47.3	1961-05-07	3	36°48'N / 95°06'W	36°51'N / 94°57'W	8.90 Miles	400 Yards	0	1	250K	0	Craig
47.4	1961-03-26	2	36°33'N / 96°20'W	36°45'N / 96°00'W	23.00 Miles	33 Yards	0	26	0K	0	Rogers
47.7	1986-04-07	2	37°57'N / 95°56'W	37°53'N / 95°44'W	14.00 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Woodson
47.7	1991-04-26	3	37°51'N / 95°57'W	37°57'N / 95°56'W	5.00 Miles	50 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Woodson
48.1	1970-06-11	2	36°37'N / 95°09'W	36°50'N / 95°05'W	15.40 Miles	150 Yards	1	1	250K	0	Craig
48.5	1984-04-27	2	37°23'N / 94°55'W	37°29'N / 94°49'W	8.50 Miles	40 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Crawford
48.6	1956-04-02	4	37°48'N / 95°57'W	38°02'N / 95°54'W	16.30 Miles	880 Yards	0	0	0K	0	Woodson
48.8	1963-05-26	2	37°27'N / 94°58'W	37°27'N / 94°46'W	10.90 Miles	27 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Crawford
48.9	1959-05-09	2	36°25'N / 95°51'W	36°38'N / 95°38'W	19.10 Miles	300 Yards	0	0	25K	0	Tulsa
49.4	1983-04-29	2	36°33'N / 95°27'W		1.50 Miles	100 Yards	0	0	250K	0	Rogers
49.4	2003-05-04	4	37°25'N / 95°06'W	37°32'N / 94°38'W	27.00 Miles	880 Yards	3	20	7.2M	1.0M	Crawford
		Brief Description: This storm is known to have initiated the unforgettable series of events of 4 May, 2003. This classic supercell rapidly developed over Montgomery County, Kansas, eventually moving into southwestern Crawford County, Kansas where it spawned a very large and destructive tornado. This tornado laid out a path of destruction for 27 miles of farm land and small communities through Crawford County. This event also claimed three lives and injured 20 in eastern sections of the county, where the tornado had strengthened to F-4 status. The tornado continued on the ground into Barton County, Missouri. Sharon Lasbrook age 48, was deceased from being thrown out of her mobile home and into a field. Her home was completely disintegrated by the twister. George Bolte age 68, was taking cover in his manufactured home and laying over his wife to protect her from flying debris. While saving her life, he was deceased from the debris. Josephine Maghe age 87, was taking cover within her frame home as the tornado arrived. She was deceased from being struck into the ground. F48MH, M68PH, F87PH
49.4	1987-11-15	2	36°40'N / 95°10'W		1.50 Miles	50 Yards	0	1	25K	0	Craig

* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.