Douglas County home to the University of Kansas in Lawrence sits in the heart of Tornado Alley. The Kansas River has repeatedly flooded Lawrence and the surrounding communities. KU's 28000 students create major institutional emergency planning requirements during peak spring tornado season. The county faces serious tornado risk on the flat Kansas plains with the 2019 flooding causing significant damage to riverside communities.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 6 / 10 Moderate Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Tornado / Flash Flooding |
| Secondary Hazard | Kansas River Flooding |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Moderate |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 7 |
| Last Major Event | 2019 Flooding |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (785) 832-5100 |
| Emergency Shelters | 8 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | I-70 US-59 KS-10 KS-40 |
// County Profile
| County | Douglas County KS |
| State | Kansas (KS) |
| Population | 122 |
| Area | 457 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | Moderate |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other Kansas Counties
Ellsworth County KS
Tornado / Flash Flooding
7/10
Moderate
Miami County KS
Tornado / Flash Flooding
7/10
Moderate
Trego County KS
Tornado / Dust Storm
7/10
Moderate
Barber County KS
Tornado / Flash Flooding
7/10
Moderate
Hamilton County KS
Tornado / Flash Flooding
7/10
Moderate
Ottawa County KS
Tornado / Flash Flooding
7/10
Moderate