Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 42005 · population 65,530 · 653 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 639 records for Armstrong County, Pennsylvania from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 408 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (348 records). The deadliest single record is the May 19, 1997 heavy rain: 1 death and 2 injuries. FEMA has issued 17 declarations naming the county since 1972, 15 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Sandy” on October 29, 2012.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 639on 408 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 1129 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $928Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 11strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 17latest 2020
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Armstrong County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 348 since 1968. 52% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1968 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Pennsylvania's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 348 | 218 | 1968-2025 | 0 | 2 | $7.0M | 26 of 67 |
| Winter storms | 86 | 85 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $17K | 45 of 67 |
| Floods | 83 | 56 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 1 | $15M | 34 of 67 |
| Hail | 72 | 42 | 1983-2025 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 35 of 67 |
| High wind and dust storms | 21 | 21 | 1997-2022 | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | 39 of 67 |
| Tornadoes | 11 | 11 | 1951-2022 | 0 | 124 | $904M | 44 of 67 |
| Extreme cold | 8 | 8 | 2009-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 44 of 67 |
| Heavy rain | 6 | 6 | 1997-2022 | 1 | 2 | – | 15 of 67 |
| Drought | 2 | 2 | 1999-1999 | 0 | 0 | – | 60 of 67 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 1998-1998 | 0 | 0 | $18K | 43 of 67 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2018-2018 | 0 | 0 | – | 35 of 67 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Armstrong County had?
NOAA records 11 tornadoes in Armstrong County from 1951 to 2022, the strongest rated F4, with 0 deaths and 124 injuries recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 11 tornadoes whose track touched Armstrong County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 11, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980-06-03 10:30, as SPC files it | Vandergrift | F4 | 11.8 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Pennsylvania.
Every tornado record filed for Armstrong County (11)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-31 | Echo, Armstrong County | EF2 8.55 mi x 350 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-06-16 | Parker City, Armstrong County | EF1 0.5 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-04-28 | Spring Church, Armstrong County | F0 3 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $246K |
| 1992-07-20 | Armstrong County | F0 0.5 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1986-09-23 | Armstrong County | F2 0.5 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 1 | $2.5M step |
| 1983-07-20 | Armstrong County | F1 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1980-06-03 | Armstrong County | F4 2.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 120 | $250M step |
| 1978-07-23 | Armstrong County | 0 | 2 | $250K step | |
| 1978-06-07 | Armstrong County | F1 | 0 | 1 | – |
| 1966-04-23 | Armstrong County | F2 1 mi x 17 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1951-06-27 | Armstrong County | F2 19.7 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Armstrong County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 21, 2026 flood ($100,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-16 | Winter WeatherArmstrong County · forecast zone Armstrong | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-21 | FloodNatrona Hgts, Armstrong County | 0 | 0 | $100K | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormArmstrong County · forecast zone Armstrong | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-19 | Winter WeatherArmstrong County · forecast zone Armstrong | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-01 | Winter WeatherArmstrong County · forecast zone Armstrong | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-31 | Winter WeatherArmstrong County · forecast zone Armstrong | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-01 | Flash FloodApollo, Armstrong County | 0 | 0 | $5K | |
| 2025-06-28 | Thunderstorm WindKelly Station, Armstrong County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2025-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindCenter Hill, Armstrong County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2025-06-15 | Flash FloodOrchard Hills, Armstrong County | 0 | 0 | $5K | |
| 2025-06-15 | Flash FloodLeechburg Airport, Armstrong County | 0 | 0 | $5K | |
| 2025-06-15 | Flash FloodLeechburg, Armstrong County | 0 | 0 | $2K |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-05-19 | Heavy RainKittanning, Armstrong County Heavy thunderstorm rain and some wind weakened the roots of a large tree and the tree fell onto a pickup truck's windshield travelling on Route 66. A 13 year-old passenger was killed by the falling tree. The boy's father was seriously injured and the mother was treated overnight and released. | 1 | 2 | – | |
| 1980-06-03 | TornadoArmstrong County | F4 2.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 120 | $250M step |
| 1978-07-23 | TornadoArmstrong County | 0 | 2 | $250K step | |
| 2021-07-16 | Thunderstorm WindAladdin, Armstrong County One person injured due to tree falling on him near the Kiski River Campsite. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2004-09-17 | FloodArmstrong County · forecast zone Armstrong By 4 PM EDT on 17th, a courthouse was threatened by a mud slide in Kittanning; and numerous roads were flooded countywide, including Rte 66 between Ford City and Leechburg. By 11 PM, Bradys Bend had 5.7 inches of rain; and Red Bank Creek, on the border of Armstrong and Clarion counties, continued to flood. St Charles ... | 0 | 1 | $6.2M | |
| 1999-06-02 | Thunderstorm WindElderton, Armstrong County A microburst with winds estimated to around 100 MPH blew a 3-mile long swath across the Elderton area. One house was completely destroyed, with one person receiving minor injuries. Four other homes suffered structural damage, and another ten homes in the area received minor damage. Two cars were also damaged. Most of ... | 0 | 1 | $443K | |
| 1986-09-23 | TornadoArmstrong County | F2 0.5 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 1 | $2.5M step |
| 1978-06-07 | TornadoArmstrong County | F1 | 0 | 1 | – |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-01-19 | FloodArmstrong County · forecast zone Armstrong | 0 | 0 | $7.1M | |
| 1994-09-26 | Thunderstorm WindWest Kittanni, Armstrong County | 0 | 0 | $995K | |
| 2006-06-25 | Flash FloodKittanning, Armstrong County | 0 | 0 | $878K | |
| 2008-09-14 | High WindArmstrong County · forecast zone Armstrong | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $685K |
| 1999-06-02 | Thunderstorm WindElderton, Armstrong County | 0 | 1 | $443K | |
| 1996-07-19 | Flash FloodSouth Bethlehem, Armstrong County | 0 | 0 | $376K | |
| 2005-08-31 | Thunderstorm WindCowansville, Armstrong County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $151K |
| 2026-02-21 | FloodNatrona Hgts, Armstrong County | 0 | 0 | $100K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $250M, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 3, 1980 (tornado, Armstrong County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Armstrong County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 1 | 6 | 25 | 67 | 64 | 120 | 65 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 25 | 20 | 35 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 14 | 18 | 34 | 17 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 30 | 18 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 2 | 14 | 4 | 1 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
52% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1968 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 49 · Feb 40 · Mar 34 · Apr 49 · May 76 · Jun 133 · Jul 97 · Aug 78 · Sep 30 · Oct 5 · Nov 20 · Dec 28 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Armstrong County
FEMA's register lists 17 declarations that include Armstrong County: 12 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (5) and hurricane (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-30 | DR-4506 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3441 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2012-10-29 | EM-3356 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2010-04-16 | DR-1898 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| 2006-06-30 | DR-1649 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3235 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| 2004-09-19 | DR-1555 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression Frances |
| 2004-09-19 | DR-1557 | Hurricane | Tropical Depression Ivan |
| 1996-07-26 | DR-1130 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 1996-01-21 | DR-1093 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1085 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1994-03-10 | DR-1015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 1993-03-16 | EM-3105 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm |
| 1984-08-27 | DR-721 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1980-08-19 | DR-629 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1980-06-13 | EM-3081 | Tornado | Severe Storms & Tornadoes |
| 1972-06-23 | DR-340 | Flood | Tropical Storm Agnes |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Armstrong County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 83 flood or flash flood records for Armstrong County from 1996 to 2026, on 56 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Armstrong County ranks 569th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Depression Ivan | 2004-09-17 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $6.2 million on 437 claims filed in Armstrong County; the most in one year was 146 in 2004. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 6 · 1979: 2 · 1980: 8 · 1981: 16 · 1982: 7 · 1983: 3 · 1984: 9 · 1985: 3 · 1986: 10 · 1988: 1 · 1989: 4 · 1990: 10 · 1994: 1 · 1995: 1 · 1996: 85 · 1997: 5 · 1998: 1 · 1999: 1 · 2003: 2 · 2004: 146 · 2005: 7 · 2006: 12 · 2007: 7 · 2009: 1 · 2010: 1 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 29 · 2014: 4 · 2015: 3 · 2017: 9 · 2018: 24 · 2019: 10 · 2020: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 2; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Armstrong County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Armstrong County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $27.8 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $26M | 1.7 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $517K | 41 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $31K | 1.3 a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $153K | 2.7 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $637K | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $294K | 2.4 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $27K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Very Low | $686 | once in about 100 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Armstrong County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in PennsylvaniaEvery Pennsylvania tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in PennsylvaniaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Pennsylvania recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Armstrong CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Armstrong County's FEMA declarations (CSV)17 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis