Water Damage Restoration in Wichita, KS
Wichita by the numbers: 60 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 103 freezing nights a year, 11 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, Kansas insurance help and costs.
Updated November 2, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Wichita
- Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
How Often Wichita Floods
Butler, Harvey, Sedgwick and Sumner counties logged flooding on 60 days from 2016 to 2025 (208 NOAA reports), May most often.
At the Wichita 3.2 NW gauge, May is the wettest month with 5.6 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0.9 |
| February | 0 | 1.3 |
| March | 1 | 2.4 |
| April | 3 | 3.2 |
| May | 20 | 5.6 |
| June | 18 | 5.1 |
| July | 5 | 3.7 |
| August | 5 | 4.6 |
| September | 3 | 3.1 |
| October | 5 | 2.9 |
| November | 0 | 1.6 |
| December | 0 | 1.3 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Sedgwick County | 42 | 124 |
| Butler County | 30 | 46 |
| Sumner County | 13 | 22 |
| Harvey County | 12 | 16 |
Freezing Nights in Wichita
Wichita averages 103 nights a year at or below 32°F (Wichita station). About 32 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 19 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in Butler, Harvey, Sedgwick and Sumner counties from 2016 to 2025.
Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).
Storms and Disasters in Wichita
Butler, Harvey, Sedgwick and Sumner counties were named in 11 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- April 23, 2026: Hail, 3.5 inch hail (Sumner County)The report was received via image on social media.
- June 17, 2025: Thunderstorm wind, 102 mph gust (Sedgwick County)Severe wind gusts from an intense line of storms lasted for almost an hour at Wichita Eisenhower Airport. The peak wind gust was 102 mph at 4:22 AM CDT, with at least 58 mph wind gusts lasting through 5:15 AM CDT.
- June 3, 2025: Flash flood (Butler County)Numerous reports of significant flash flooding were reported across portions of Butler County.
- April 29, 2022: Tornado, EF3 (Butler County)A highly visible tornado tracked across portions of Andover, Kansas, during the early evening hours of April 29th, 2022. The tornado went through a highly populated portion of town, including 2 different subdivisions.
- May 8, 2019: Flash flood (Sumner County)Interstate 35 or the Kansas Turnpike was closed due the Slate Creek reaching record levels and overflowing the highway at mile marker 21.
Federal disaster declarations
- September 1, 2026: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4943
- December 19, 2025: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4897
- September 11, 2025: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4891
- August 20, 2024: Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4811
- April 28, 2024: Severe Winter StormWinter Storm, FEMA DR-4774
- March 5, 2022: Cottonwood Fire ComplexFire, FEMA FM-5425
- February 17, 2022: Severe Storms And Straight Line WindsSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4640
Wichita Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Wichita (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 176,411 housing units, a median build year of 1974, 58% built before 1980, 44% before 1970, 59% owner occupied.
Kansas Insurance Help for Water Claims
Claim problems in Kansas go to the Kansas Insurance Department.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Wichita flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Wichita
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
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Questions
When is the first freeze in Wichita?
The median first night at or below 32°F is October 29 and the median last is April 11 at the Wichita station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, EPA mold guide.