Palco, KS Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Palco is about the same as Kansas average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Palco is lower than Kansas average and is much higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #298
| Palco, KS | 0.02 |
| 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
| Palco, 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, #450
| Palco, KS | 212.71 |
| 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 3,823 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Palco, 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: | 16 | Cold: | 17 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 12 |
| Dust Storm: | 1 | Flood: | 98 | Hail: | 2,310 | Heat: | 5 | Heavy Snow: | 43 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 11 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 71 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,056 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 71 | Winter Weather: | 21 |
| Other: | 91 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Palco, KS.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Palco, KS.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Palco, KS.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 65 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Palco, KS.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 0.3 | 1951-07-07 | 2 | 39°15'N / 99°34'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Rooks | |||
| 9.1 | 1970-06-15 | 2 | 39°08'N / 99°38'W | 1.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Graham | |
| 9.5 | 1961-08-12 | 2 | 39°28'N / 99°49'W | 39°12'N / 99°36'W | 21.60 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Graham |
| 11.3 | 1969-06-24 | 3 | 39°06'N / 100°02'W | 39°36'N / 99°26'W | 47.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Trego |
| 12.0 | 2002-05-05 | 3 | 39°03'N / 99°37'W | 39°07'N / 99°25'W | 12.80 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ellis |
| Brief Description: This tornado entered Ellis county from Trego county at 440 PM and continued a a northeast and easterly track. It did speed up at the end of it's life and as is typical, decreased in size. Another tornado was video taped just north and west of this tornado (during the same time), but was just across the county line. A brick building (that was very sturdy) was destroyed and strewn for hundreds of yards into a field. "Huge" cottonwood trees were either uprooted or snapped off at about five feet. A 250 gallon oil tank was moved 1.5 miles and was found lodged into a grove of trees. | |||||||||||
| 14.1 | 1972-07-27 | 2 | 39°15'N / 99°18'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Rooks | |
| 14.2 | 2002-05-05 | 2 | 39°03'N / 99°38'W | 39°03'N / 99°35'W | 2.20 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Trego |
| Brief Description: The tornado that developed 3.5 miles north and 5.5 miles east of Ogallah (north of Riga) moved slowly northeast reaching a width of 350 yards before crossing into Ellis county at 440 PM. A shed was destroyed near the starting point of the tornado. Along it's path, 1200 pound bales of hay were pushed into a group of trees with a few of the bales stripped to the core. Power poles were downed, tin sheets were wrapped around trees and a stick was impaled into a post. | |||||||||||
| 14.5 | 1985-05-10 | 3 | 39°11'N / 99°31'W | 39°28'N / 99°06'W | 30.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Rooks |
| 15.0 | 1973-03-13 | 2 | 39°14'N / 99°17'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Rooks | |
| 16.4 | 1985-05-10 | 4 | 39°25'N / 99°24'W | 39°30'N / 99°25'W | 5.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Rooks |
| 16.7 | 1953-06-07 | 2 | 39°21'N / 99°51'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Graham | |||
| 16.8 | 1985-05-10 | 3 | 38°56'N / 99°38'W | 39°06'N / 99°38'W | 10.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Trego |
| 16.9 | 2001-04-10 | 2 | 38°56'N / 99°35'W | 39°07'N / 99°19'W | 19.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 150K | 0 | Ellis |
| Brief Description: A tornado moved in from Trego county at 2209 and moved into Rooks county at 2238. It took out 50 power poles in Ellis county and damaged 13 farms. Roofs were removed on several homes and there was extensive damage done to several outbuildings and trailers. Two semis were overturned on I-70 west of Ellis causing several minor injuries. Reports of the infamous "roar" were noted in the Ellis community. | |||||||||||
| 17.2 | 2005-06-09 | 2 | 39°17'N / 99°57'W | 39°21'N / 99°48'W | 9.50 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Graham |
| Brief Description: A significant tornado (rated F2 based on damage survey) touched down 8 miles SW of Hill City near Road 220 and Road J at approximately 4:20 pm CDT. As the tornado continued northeast toward Road 260 and Road M it damaged two homes and destroyed a detached garage. One home suffered roof damage while another had part of the roof from the upper story removed. Significant and continuous tree and power pole damage was noted for one mile south of this location. Some of this damage was likely produced by an intense rear-flank downdraft accompanying the southern periphery of the tornado. As the tornado crossed Highway 283 approximately 3.5 miles south of Hill City, it caused structural damage to a hangar used as storage. A boat, a small four-wheeler and a camper were either heavily damaged or destroyed, with debris rolled or bounced between one-half and three-fourths of a mile. The tornado crossed the intersection of Road 290 and Road O producing tree damage. The tornado ultimately lifted about a half mile northeast of this location at approximately 4:48 pm CDT. | |||||||||||
| 17.6 | 1972-05-22 | 2 | 39°00'N / 99°32'W | 1.00 Mile | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Ellis | |
| 17.6 | 1972-05-22 | 2 | 39°00'N / 99°32'W | 1.00 Mile | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Ellis | |
| 17.6 | 1972-05-22 | 2 | 39°00'N / 99°32'W | 1.00 Mile | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Ellis | |
| 17.6 | 1974-06-05 | 2 | 39°00'N / 99°42'W | 39°00'N / 99°22'W | 17.70 Miles | 70 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Trego |
| 19.6 | 1991-04-11 | 3 | 39°26'N / 99°25'W | 39°32'N / 99°17'W | 6.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Rooks |
| 21.0 | 1968-05-13 | 3 | 39°08'N / 99°20'W | 39°13'N / 99°02'W | 16.90 Miles | 320 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Rooks |
| 21.1 | 1972-04-30 | 2 | 38°55'N / 99°23'W | 39°04'N / 99°20'W | 10.50 Miles | 127 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ellis |
| 21.5 | 1979-04-19 | 2 | 39°28'N / 99°50'W | 39°32'N / 99°47'W | 5.20 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Graham |
| 22.1 | 1990-04-25 | 3 | 38°47'N / 99°33'W | 39°07'N / 99°19'W | 23.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Ellis |
| 22.1 | 1972-05-22 | 2 | 38°56'N / 99°34'W | 2.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ellis | |
| 22.5 | 1972-05-22 | 2 | 38°56'N / 99°29'W | 0.50 Mile | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Ellis | |
| 22.9 | 1951-06-27 | 4 | 39°02'N / 99°53'W | 0.80 Mile | 300 Yards | 5 | 100 | 2.5M | 0 | Trego | |
| 24.3 | 2008-05-23 | 2 | 38°51'N / 99°40'W | 38°58'N / 99°39'W | 8.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Trego |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado moved over a sparsely populated area but did EF2 damage to trees. It moved northwest towards the end of it's life cycle. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An anonymously strong upper level system allowed everything to come together at the surface to produced what is perhaps the biggest tornado outbreak to ever occur in the Dodge City CWA! Fifty-five tornadoes were documented during that afternoon and evening! Some of the tornadoes were very large and damaging. The character of the supercell thunderstorms that day had similarities to the storms that produced the Greensburg tornado a little over a year after. In fact there was one tornado that was just as large and perhaps could have been just as damaging that was headed towards the small Kiowa county town but fortunately turned and dissipated. | |||||||||||
| 25.6 | 1998-10-16 | 3 | 38°47'N / 99°34'W | 39°01'N / 99°16'W | 23.00 Miles | 1300 Yards | 0 | 1 | 1.2M | 0 | Ellis |
| Brief Description: Tornado that began in eastern Trego county, steadily moved northeast before dissipating north of Hays. The tornado hit several farms in rural Ellis county and slammed into sparsely populated Yocemento. After leaving Yocemento, the tornado tore through a feedyard and on across other parts of rural Ellis county. Fortunately, the tornado stayed just west and north of populated Hays where a high school football game was in progress. The tornado damaged or destroyed 10 homes, a grain elevator, many outbuildings, a tractor and a feedlot. During the weaker moments of the tornado, it moved a 14,000 pound tractor 30 yards. One modular constructed home on a concrete slab was completely destroyed with the remains carried 1/2 of a mile. A steel I-beam from a concrete building travelled several hundred yards, eventually crashing into a grain elevator. Three empty anhydrous ammonia tanks were moved causing a leak of a benign amount of vapour. An injury occurred to a male driving a tractor-trailer rig on Interstate 70. | |||||||||||
| 26.9 | 1959-05-29 | 2 | 39°12'N / 100°06'W | 39°16'N / 100°02'W | 5.60 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Graham |
| 28.4 | 1972-08-02 | 2 | 38°53'N / 99°20'W | 0.20 Mile | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ellis | |
| 30.6 | 2008-05-23 | 2 | 38°45'N / 99°41'W | 38°53'N / 99°38'W | 9.00 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Trego |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This 1.0 mile wide tornado moved over a sparsely populated area (including vegetation) but did EF2 damage to trees, power poles and a house. A large outbuilding was completely destroyed. Oil tanks ruptured and there were several head of cattle killed. Also a combine was rolled. Since this tornado moved north along a road, there was 2.4 miles of power poles taken down. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An anonymously strong upper level system allowed everything to come together at the surface to produced what is perhaps the biggest tornado outbreak to ever occur in the Dodge City CWA! Fifty-five tornadoes were documented during that afternoon and evening! Some of the tornadoes were very large and damaging. The character of the supercell thunderstorms that day had similarities to the storms that produced the Greensburg tornado a little over a year after. In fact there was one tornado that was just as large and perhaps could have been just as damaging that was headed towards the small Kiowa county town but fortunately turned and dissipated. | |||||||||||
| 30.9 | 1964-08-31 | 3 | 38°48'N / 99°19'W | 38°55'N / 99°16'W | 8.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ellis |
| 31.9 | 1954-10-11 | 3 | 38°56'N / 99°13'W | 38°56'N / 99°03'W | 8.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ellis |
| 32.0 | 1954-04-25 | 2 | 39°03'N / 100°06'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Trego | |||
| 32.9 | 2005-06-09 | 3 | 38°51'N / 100°00'W | 38°55'N / 99°54'W | 6.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Trego |
| Brief Description: Significant damage was done to several farms, outbuildings and trees. One 1500 pound heifer was thrown 1/4 mile. The tornado actually made a loop traveling back west, south then back to the north and it dissipated rather rapidly (from video). Some of the structures were protected in a ravine but still sustained major damage. Several cottonwood trees with six foot diameter trunks were pulled out of the ground. This tornado did high-end F3 damage. | |||||||||||
| 33.1 | 1985-05-10 | 4 | 39°30'N / 99°25'W | 39°57'N / 99°29'W | 28.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Phillips |
| 34.5 | 1952-06-26 | 2 | 39°41'N / 99°27'W | 39°46'N / 99°15'W | 12.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Phillips |
| 34.5 | 1980-10-16 | 3 | 38°49'N / 99°15'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Ellis | |||
| 34.6 | 1968-05-13 | 3 | 39°13'N / 99°02'W | 39°17'N / 98°48'W | 13.10 Miles | 320 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Osborne |
| 36.0 | 1990-04-25 | 3 | 38°41'N / 99°42'W | 38°47'N / 99°33'W | 10.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Trego |
| 36.5 | 2008-05-23 | 2 | 39°07'N / 100°14'W | 39°17'N / 100°15'W | 11.00 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.0M | 0K | Sheridan |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado moved into southern Sheridan county from Gove county. It initially moved NNE, then straight north on Road 120E then turned back to the NNW before dissipating near Road 50S and 100E in Sheridan county. Approximately five miles of utility poles were broken or heavily damaged from a combination of tornado and rear flank downdraft winds. In addition, several farmsteads suffered damage to the home and outbuildings. A mobile home was blown off its supports and into a nearby home which was destroyed as a result. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Intense supercell thunderstorms moved north across the region during the afternoon and evening hours producing 10 tornadoes, including an F4 tornado just SW of Quinter. Extremely heavy rainfall also resulted in flooding in many areas. Many of these thunderstorms occurred in the same areas as the storms the previous day. | |||||||||||
| 37.4 | 1964-08-31 | 2 | 38°55'N / 99°01'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Russell | |||
| 38.4 | 1959-05-20 | 2 | 39°36'N / 99°00'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Smith | |||
| 38.9 | 1971-05-17 | 2 | 38°44'N / 100°05'W | 38°47'N / 99°44'W | 19.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Trego |
| 39.2 | 1995-05-12 | 2 | 39°22'N / 100°17'W | 0.80 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50K | Sheridan | |
| Brief Description: Tornado snapped large trees. | |||||||||||
| 40.2 | 2008-05-23 | 2 | 38°42'N / 99°50'W | 38°43'N / 99°49'W | 3.00 Miles | 715 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Trego |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado moved out of Ness county at 19:42 CDT. EF2 damage was done to trees and fences. Otherwise, this is a sparely populated area (farms and vegetation). EPISODE NARRATIVE: An anonymously strong upper level system allowed everything to come together at the surface to produced what is perhaps the biggest tornado outbreak to ever occur in the Dodge City CWA! Fifty-five tornadoes were documented during that afternoon and evening! Some of the tornadoes were very large and damaging. The character of the supercell thunderstorms that day had similarities to the storms that produced the Greensburg tornado a little over a year after. In fact there was one tornado that was just as large and perhaps could have been just as damaging that was headed towards the small Kiowa county town but fortunately turned and dissipated. | |||||||||||
| 40.9 | 1960-05-24 | 2 | 38°47'N / 99°06'W | 0.30 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Ellis | |
| 41.2 | 1962-07-14 | 2 | 39°47'N / 99°55'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Ford | |
| 42.1 | 1970-09-06 | 2 | 39°49'N / 99°52'W | 0.80 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Norton | |
| 42.5 | 1990-04-25 | 3 | 38°37'N / 99°44'W | 38°41'N / 99°42'W | 4.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Ness |
| 42.6 | 1950-05-08 | 2 | 39°14'N / 98°57'W | 39°14'N / 98°35'W | 19.60 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Osborne |
| 42.7 | 2008-05-23 | 4 | 38°56'N / 100°17'W | 39°06'N / 100°19'W | 11.00 Miles | 1320 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0K | Gove |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A large wedge tornado developed about 9 miles SSW of Quinter and moved north, then northwest, eventually dissipating 2 miles SE of Park. This tornado caused extensive damage to several homes, including EF4 damage to one home which was completely destroyed. A car and a pickup truck were tossed or bounced 200 yards at the residence. Nearby, two other homes suffered extensive damage. This tornado caused two injuries, including the driver of a vehicle which was thrown off Interstate 70, and an older male attempting to get into his storm cellar when he was struck by flying debris. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Intense supercell thunderstorms moved north across the region during the afternoon and evening hours producing 10 tornadoes, including an F4 tornado just SW of Quinter. Extremely heavy rainfall also resulted in flooding in many areas. Many of these thunderstorms occurred in the same areas as the storms the previous day. | |||||||||||
| 43.0 | 1959-05-28 | 2 | 38°37'N / 99°39'W | 38°39'N / 99°37'W | 2.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Ness |
| 44.4 | 2008-05-23 | 3 | 38°36'N / 99°52'W | 38°42'N / 99°50'W | 6.00 Miles | 715 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Ness |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado caused EF3 damage to trees and an old stone home. A farm implement was carried 1/2 mile south of it's original starting point. EF3 damage was also done to trees. Another home sustained EF1 damage. There were numerous power poles taken down and at least 5 head of cattle perished in the tornado. The tornado moved into Trego county at 19:42 CDT. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An anonymously strong upper level system allowed everything to come together at the surface to produced what is perhaps the biggest tornado outbreak to ever occur in the Dodge City CWA! Fifty-five tornadoes were documented during that afternoon and evening! Some of the tornadoes were very large and damaging. The character of the supercell thunderstorms that day had similarities to the storms that produced the Greensburg tornado a little over a year after. In fact there was one tornado that was just as large and perhaps could have been just as damaging that was headed towards the small Kiowa county town but fortunately turned and dissipated. | |||||||||||
| 45.2 | 1960-05-04 | 2 | 38°38'N / 99°50'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Ness | |||
| 45.5 | 1999-06-03 | 3 | 39°50'N / 99°48'W | 39°58'N / 99°39'W | 10.00 Miles | 1320 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.0M | 0 | Norton |
| Brief Description: A large tornado dropped down just east of the town of Norton and stayed on the ground for approximately 10 miles before finally lifting north-northeast of the town of Almena. This Tornado reached around 3/4 of a mile wide at times and did major (F3) damage to a few farmsteads. Tornado also went through a stage with multiple vortices. | |||||||||||
| 45.5 | 1952-06-27 | 2 | 39°45'N / 100°07'W | 39°47'N / 100°05'W | 1.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Norton |
| 46.6 | 1985-05-10 | 4 | 39°44'N / 99°09'W | 39°56'N / 99°05'W | 11.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Phillips |
| 47.3 | 1968-05-13 | 3 | 38°29'N / 101°08'W | 39°08'N / 99°20'W | 106.8 Miles | 320 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Scott |
| 47.4 | 1965-05-25 | 2 | 39°45'N / 98°57'W | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Smith | |||
| 47.4 | 1957-06-15 | 3 | 39°42'N / 99°04'W | 39°54'N / 98°59'W | 14.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Smith |
| 48.8 | 1957-06-15 | 3 | 39°46'N / 98°56'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Smith | |
| 48.9 | 1954-03-11 | 2 | 39°27'N / 98°41'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Osborne | |||
| 49.4 | 1963-06-11 | 2 | 39°46'N / 98°55'W | 1.00 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Smith | |
| 49.8 | 2007-05-05 | 2 | 39°23'N / 98°42'W | 39°28'N / 98°37'W | 8.00 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 11 | 150K | 50K | Osborne |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado sat down south of Osborne and moved north into town. The twister destroyed 2 mobile homes, damaged roofs, fences, cars and windows, and damaged 2 restaurants. The Pizza Hut sustained minor damage and several employees??? car windows were blown out. Across the road, the Circle Inn lost a large part of their roof, a couple of outside walls, and substantial damage happened to the interior portion of the restaurant. A couple of semi-trailers were blown around and one ended up on top of another car. Eleven people were injured, none seriously, and were treated at the Osborne County Memorial Hospital. The Osborne County Sheriff's office reported the most severe injury was a broken arm. (sources: Osborne County Farmer newspaper, Osborne County Sheriff's office, and the Osborne County Emergency Management Agency). EPISODE NARRATIVE: Thunderstorms rumbled across northern Kansas. A few became severe in the early evening hours. One produced a tornado in Osborne. This tornado damaged homes and two restaurants in town. Other storms in Mitchell and Jewell Counties produced hail to the size of quarters. | |||||||||||
* 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.