Reading, KS Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Reading is about the same as Kansas average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Reading is lower than Kansas average and is much higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #292
| Reading, 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
| Reading, 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, #464
| Reading, KS | 209.99 |
| 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 4,925 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Reading, 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: | 13 | Cold: | 21 | Dense Fog: | 7 | Drought: | 14 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 364 | Hail: | 2,370 | Heat: | 19 | Heavy Snow: | 43 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 14 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 65 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,704 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 69 | Winter Weather: | 32 |
| Other: | 189 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Reading, KS.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Reading, KS.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Reading, KS.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 94 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Reading, KS.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 7.7 | 1974-06-08 | 4 | 38°25'N / 96°13'W | 38°42'N / 95°58'W | 23.70 Miles | 1760 Yards | 6 | 177 | 25.0M | 0 | Lyon |
| 12.6 | 1962-05-26 | 2 | 38°34'N / 96°11'W | 2.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Lyon | |
| 13.5 | 1962-05-28 | 2 | 38°20'N / 96°07'W | 38°23'N / 96°05'W | 3.60 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lyon |
| 15.0 | 1971-07-09 | 2 | 38°28'N / 96°16'W | 38°31'N / 96°12'W | 4.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lyon |
| 15.3 | 1956-04-02 | 3 | 38°23'N / 96°33'W | 38°50'N / 95°53'W | 47.50 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Marion |
| 16.6 | 1990-06-07 | 2 | 38°20'N / 96°16'W | 38°28'N / 96°11'W | 10.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 17 | 25.0M | 0 | Lyon |
| 16.7 | 1973-03-13 | 2 | 38°14'N / 96°07'W | 38°23'N / 96°06'W | 10.20 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lyon |
| 18.1 | 1954-03-18 | 2 | 38°45'N / 96°07'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Wabaunsee | |||
| 18.3 | 1974-06-08 | 4 | 38°42'N / 95°58'W | 38°52'N / 95°54'W | 11.90 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Osage |
| 18.5 | 1958-11-17 | 2 | 38°30'N / 95°37'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Osage | |||
| 18.6 | 2003-05-08 | 3 | 38°35'N / 95°45'W | 38°42'N / 95°33'W | 25.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.5M | 0 | Osage |
| Brief Description: A second tornado touched down in Osage county about 13 miles southwest of Lyndon and moved northeast for 25 miles before dissipating 6 miles south of Overbrook. The tornado was a half mile wide in places and did considerable damage to farm buildings, machinery, and fences along its path. | |||||||||||
| 19.8 | 1973-11-20 | 2 | 38°17'N / 95°45'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Coffey | |
| 21.2 | 1964-05-26 | 2 | 38°16'N / 95°44'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Coffey | |||
| 22.0 | 1973-04-13 | 2 | 38°11'N / 96°09'W | 38°19'N / 96°12'W | 9.60 Miles | 333 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Lyon |
| 22.4 | 1987-05-18 | 2 | 38°27'N / 96°23'W | 38°29'N / 96°21'W | 3.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Chase |
| 23.2 | 1953-05-10 | 3 | 38°21'N / 96°40'W | 38°56'N / 96°03'W | 52.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Chase |
| 25.5 | 1974-06-08 | 4 | 38°52'N / 95°54'W | 38°54'N / 95°52'W | 1.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Shawnee |
| 25.6 | 1978-05-23 | 2 | 38°49'N / 95°43'W | 38°49'N / 95°38'W | 4.10 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Osage |
| 25.8 | 1958-06-12 | 2 | 38°11'N / 96°10'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lyon | |||
| 25.9 | 1962-05-28 | 2 | 38°50'N / 95°54'W | 38°56'N / 95°47'W | 0.90 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Osage |
| 26.4 | 1956-04-02 | 3 | 38°50'N / 95°53'W | 38°58'N / 95°57'W | 9.80 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Marion |
| 26.7 | 1955-09-21 | 2 | 38°18'N / 95°33'W | 0.30 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Coffey | |
| 27.1 | 1954-04-10 | 2 | 38°20'N / 95°31'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Coffey | |||
| 28.1 | 1958-07-11 | 2 | 38°55'N / 95°51'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Shawnee | |||
| 28.1 | 1974-03-07 | 2 | 38°48'N / 96°26'W | 38°58'N / 95°57'W | 28.30 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wabaunsee |
| 28.6 | 1954-03-18 | 2 | 38°47'N / 95°33'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Osage | |||
| 28.9 | 1991-04-26 | 2 | 38°44'N / 96°15'W | 39°06'N / 96°00'W | 28.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wabaunsee |
| 30.0 | 1968-06-10 | 2 | 38°06'N / 96°06'W | 1.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Greenwood | |
| 30.0 | 1958-11-17 | 2 | 38°37'N / 95°25'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Franklin | |||
| 30.7 | 1985-08-17 | 3 | 38°48'N / 96°24'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wabaunsee | |
| 31.0 | 1957-05-20 | 3 | 38°30'N / 95°26'W | 38°32'N / 95°20'W | 5.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Franklin |
| 31.3 | 1954-04-26 | 2 | 38°04'N / 95°59'W | 1.00 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Lyon | |
| 31.4 | 1956-04-02 | 4 | 38°02'N / 95°54'W | 38°06'N / 95°53'W | 4.50 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Coffey |
| 32.0 | 1974-03-07 | 2 | 38°44'N / 96°29'W | 38°48'N / 96°26'W | 5.10 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wabaunsee |
| 32.5 | 1974-03-07 | 2 | 38°41'N / 96°32'W | 38°44'N / 96°29'W | 4.50 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Morris |
| 33.5 | 1969-06-17 | 2 | 38°40'N / 96°36'W | 38°42'N / 96°29'W | 6.20 Miles | 37 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Morris |
| 33.9 | 1962-05-26 | 3 | 38°58'N / 95°42'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Shawnee | |
| 33.9 | 1983-05-06 | 3 | 38°54'N / 95°52'W | 39°03'N / 95°35'W | 19.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 1 | 25 | 25.0M | 0 | Shawnee |
| 35.0 | 1966-06-08 | 5 | 38°55'N / 95°55'W | 39°05'N / 95°35'W | 21.10 Miles | 880 Yards | 16 | 450 | 250.0M | 0 | Shawnee |
| 35.5 | 1958-06-12 | 2 | 39°02'N / 96°00'W | 39°02'N / 95°55'W | 4.30 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Wabaunsee |
| 36.0 | 1986-04-07 | 2 | 38°03'N / 96°05'W | 37°57'N / 95°56'W | 8.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Greenwood |
| 36.5 | 1964-04-22 | 2 | 38°33'N / 95°17'W | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Franklin | |||
| 36.5 | 1957-05-20 | 5 | 38°27'N / 95°30'W | 38°40'N / 95°04'W | 27.70 Miles | 440 Yards | 3 | 11 | 2.5M | 0 | Franklin |
| 36.8 | 1974-03-07 | 2 | 38°38'N / 96°42'W | 38°41'N / 96°32'W | 9.40 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Morris |
| 39.3 | 1958-07-11 | 2 | 39°00'N / 95°34'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Shawnee | |||
| 39.3 | 1961-03-26 | 2 | 38°01'N / 96°18'W | 2.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Greenwood | |
| 39.6 | 1960-04-16 | 3 | 38°29'N / 95°17'W | 38°35'N / 95°10'W | 9.20 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Franklin |
| 40.3 | 1984-04-26 | 2 | 39°06'N / 95°53'W | 0.60 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Shawnee | |
| 40.5 | 1971-06-06 | 3 | 38°48'N / 96°37'W | 2.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Morris | |
| 40.5 | 2008-05-02 | 2 | 38°58'N / 95°27'W | 38°57'N / 95°28'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 260K | 0K | Douglas |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado demolished and removed a garage and two-thirds of an unoccupied house from it's foundation just after touching down. Debris from the house and the garage was strewn across a nearby field for approximately 500 yards. A metal outbuilding was destroyed near the end of the tornado path. Between these two points, moderate tree damage was noted. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Thunderstorms developed along a dryline during the late afternoon of May 1st, and sustained as the synoptic cold front dove through the region later that evening. Two tornadoes touched down and caused damage in portions of Osage and Douglas Counties. One residence in Douglas County was almost completely demolished by one of the tornadoes, rated an EF-2. Hail from the size of quarters to the size of golfballs was also reported across portions of northeast and east central Kansas. After 11pm CST, the severe weather threat focus turned to strong winds. Trees were damaged across portions of the warning area, as was property including homes, outbuidings, power poles, and transformers. The Emergency Manager from Osage County reported that property damage estimates were around $100,000. Spotters estimated wind speeds up to 70 mph, and a measured gust of 71 mph was reported by the ASOS at the Lawrence Municipal Airport. | |||||||||||
| 40.6 | 1981-05-23 | 2 | 38°22'N / 95°14'W | 1.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Anderson | |
| 40.7 | 1991-04-26 | 2 | 38°06'N / 96°34'W | 38°10'N / 96°29'W | 6.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Chase |
| 40.9 | 1974-03-08 | 2 | 38°58'N / 95°57'W | 39°12'N / 95°30'W | 29.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Shawnee |
| 41.1 | 1990-03-13 | 2 | 38°54'N / 96°34'W | 38°56'N / 96°29'W | 5.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Geary |
| 41.3 | 1951-06-08 | 2 | 38°53'N / 95°21'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Douglas | |||
| 41.6 | 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 |
| 41.7 | 1964-04-22 | 2 | 38°19'N / 96°41'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Chase | |||
| 41.7 | 1990-03-13 | 2 | 38°56'N / 96°29'W | 39°01'N / 96°27'W | 10.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Wabaunsee |
| 42.1 | 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 |
| 42.2 | 1974-05-30 | 2 | 38°08'N / 96°34'W | 38°05'N / 96°30'W | 4.70 Miles | 167 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Chase |
| 42.2 | 1974-05-30 | 2 | 38°05'N / 96°30'W | 38°04'N / 96°29'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Butler | ||
| 42.3 | 1980-05-31 | 2 | 39°03'N / 95°34'W | 2.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Shawnee | |
| 42.4 | 1974-04-20 | 2 | 38°17'N / 95°14'W | 1.00 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Anderson | |
| 42.5 | 1988-11-15 | 2 | 39°03'N / 95°41'W | 39°07'N / 95°36'W | 5.00 Miles | 70 Yards | 0 | 22 | 2.5M | 0 | Shawnee |
| 42.7 | 1970-11-08 | 2 | 39°05'N / 95°38'W | 1.00 Mile | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Shawnee | |
| 42.8 | 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 |
| 43.0 | 1956-04-02 | 3 | 38°15'N / 96°52'W | 38°23'N / 96°33'W | 19.40 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Marion |
| 43.0 | 1958-05-31 | 2 | 38°40'N / 95°11'W | 1.00 Mile | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Franklin | |
| 43.5 | 1962-08-06 | 3 | 38°47'N / 95°15'W | 38°45'N / 95°11'W | 4.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Douglas |
| 44.2 | 1964-04-22 | 2 | 38°17'N / 96°43'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Chase | |||
| 44.4 | 1964-04-12 | 4 | 38°07'N / 95°18'W | 38°22'N / 95°08'W | 19.40 Miles | 880 Yards | 3 | 9 | 250K | 0 | Anderson |
| 44.4 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 44.5 | 1958-05-31 | 2 | 38°44'N / 95°13'W | 38°47'N / 95°10'W | 4.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Franklin |
| 44.6 | 1960-05-19 | 2 | 39°07'N / 95°40'W | 39°09'N / 95°44'W | 4.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Shawnee |
| 44.7 | 1991-04-26 | 2 | 39°06'N / 96°00'W | 39°14'N / 95°52'W | 9.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Shawnee |
| 44.8 | 1977-05-04 | 3 | 38°48'N / 95°22'W | 38°48'N / 95°03'W | 16.90 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Douglas |
| 45.1 | 1964-04-12 | 3 | 38°45'N / 95°29'W | 39°12'N / 95°14'W | 33.80 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Douglas |
| 45.2 | 1982-03-15 | 2 | 37°58'N / 95°30'W | 38°02'N / 95°24'W | 6.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Allen |
| 45.4 | 1955-05-26 | 2 | 38°38'N / 95°47'W | 39°19'N / 94°55'W | 66.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Osage |
| 45.5 | 1981-07-19 | 2 | 39°08'N / 95°39'W | 0.30 Mile | 150 Yards | 0 | 9 | 250K | 0 | Shawnee | |
| 45.8 | 1960-05-19 | 4 | 39°09'N / 96°20'W | 39°11'N / 95°57'W | 20.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 12 | 25.0M | 0 | Wabaunsee |
| 46.1 | 1974-05-30 | 2 | 38°04'N / 96°29'W | 37°49'N / 96°17'W | 20.40 Miles | 167 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0 | Greenwood |
| 46.1 | 1956-04-02 | 3 | 38°58'N / 95°57'W | 39°21'N / 95°28'W | 37.00 Miles | 790 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Marion |
| 46.5 | 1990-03-13 | 2 | 38°36'N / 96°58'W | 38°54'N / 96°34'W | 30.00 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Morris |
| 47.0 | 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 |
| 47.1 | 1962-07-11 | 2 | 39°02'N / 95°23'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Douglas | |||
| 47.2 | 1957-06-11 | 2 | 38°52'N / 95°14'W | 38°54'N / 95°12'W | 1.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Douglas |
| 47.7 | 1956-07-02 | 2 | 38°48'N / 95°11'W | 38°48'N / 95°07'W | 3.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Franklin |
| 47.8 | 1966-05-11 | 3 | 39°10'N / 95°48'W | 39°12'N / 95°37'W | 9.90 Miles | 660 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Shawnee |
| 48.1 | 1960-05-19 | 4 | 39°11'N / 95°57'W | 39°13'N / 95°35'W | 19.60 Miles | 880 Yards | 1 | 91 | 2.5M | 0 | Shawnee |
| 49.5 | 1968-04-16 | 2 | 39°04'N / 96°10'W | 39°24'N / 95°35'W | 38.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Wabaunsee |
| 49.8 | 2003-05-08 | 2 | 38°58'N / 95°14'W | 38°58'N / 95°14'W | 0.70 Mile | 250 Yards | 0 | 6 | 6.4M | 0 | Douglas |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down in the southwest part of Lawrence and did considerable damage to the area. An apartment complex suffered major damage as did several other homes and residences in the area. Six people were injured and treated at a Lawrence hospital. Severe weather erupted over a large part of the area during the afternoon and evening hours of the 8th. Numerous reports of large hail and a few reports of strong winds were received. In addition 12 tornadoes were reported (discussed separately), some doing considerable damage. Four funnel clouds were also sighted. May 8, 2003, was estimated to be the most significant and widespread tornado outbreak in northeast Kansas since April 26, 1991. All meteorological severe weather forecast parameters came together over northeast Kansas on the afternoon of May 8 to produce an SPC "high risk" area of potential severe weather. The possibility of strong, long-lived destructive tornadoes was highlighted for nearly 24 hours in advance in nearly every NWS statement and product. The significant and widespread tornado outbreak in the nearby Kansas City area just four days before increased public weather awareness and concern, and together with timely watches, statements and warnings, helped prevent tornado related deaths and minimized storm injuries. | |||||||||||
| 49.8 | 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 |
| 49.8 | 1962-08-06 | 2 | 39°10'N / 95°33'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Jefferson | |||
* 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.