Benton County, Indiana
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 18007 · population 8,719 · 406 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 309 records for Benton County, Indiana from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 223 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (117 records). The deadliest single record is the February 4, 2008 dense fog, filed for the forecast zone Benton, which covers the county: 1 death, 2 injuries and $69,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1974, 19 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on January 24, 2026.
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
- 309on 223 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 15 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $1.5Bas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 23strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 21latest 2026
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 Benton County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 117 since 1960. 58% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1960 fell in May and June. The rank column places the county among Indiana'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 | 117 | 81 | 1960-2026 | 0 | 0 | $352K | 86 of 91 |
| Hail | 60 | 43 | 1975-2026 | 0 | 0 | $3.4M | 63 of 91 |
| Winter storms | 45 | 45 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 57 of 91 |
| Floods | 23 | 18 | 2001-2023 | 0 | 0 | $349K | 73 of 91 |
| Tornadoes | 23 | 20 | 1954-2026 | 0 | 3 | $1.5B | 43 of 91 |
| Extreme cold | 13 | 13 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 11 of 91 |
| High wind and dust storms | 8 | 8 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $29K | 69 of 91 |
| Drought | 7 | 7 | 2023-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 41 of 91 |
| Heat | 7 | 7 | 2012-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 15 of 91 |
| Heavy rain | 3 | 2 | 2020-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 29 of 91 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 3 | 3 | 2008-2021 | 1 | 2 | $69K | 14 of 91 |
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 Benton County had?
NOAA records 23 tornadoes in Benton County from 1954 to 2026, the strongest rated F4, with 0 deaths and 3 injuries recorded in the county. That is 43rd of 91 Indiana counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. 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 24 tornadoes whose track touched Benton County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 23: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 18 people, 0 of them in Benton County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974-04-03 15:45, as SPC files it | Monticello to Rochester | F4 | 108.7 mi | 18 |
| 1974-04-03 15:30, as SPC files it | Pine | F3 | 25.9 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Indiana.
Every tornado record filed for Benton County (23)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-11 | Boswell, Benton County | EF1 12.3 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-03-31 | Oxford, Benton County | EF2 10.57 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-03-31 | Wadena, Benton County | EF1 5.63 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-03-31 | Swanington, Benton County | EF2 11.53 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-05-20 | Lochiel, Benton County | EF0 0.57 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-07-13 | Boswell, Benton County | EF0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-11-17 | Templeton, Benton County | EF1 2.9 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $63K |
| 2013-05-31 | Templeton, Benton County | EF0 0.5 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-08-04 | Chase, Benton County | EF0 0.06 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $14K |
| 2007-10-18 | Ambia, Benton County | EF0 0.4 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2006-04-14 | Ambia, Benton County | F0 0.5 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1993-05-28 | Otterbein, Benton County | F0 0.6 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 1991-08-08 | Benton County | F2 5 mi x 127 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1988-09-19 | Benton County | F1 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1984-07-04 | Benton County | F0 0.1 mi x 7 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1976-03-12 | Benton County | F0 3.8 mi x 27 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1975-06-14 | Benton County | F0 2 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1975-06-14 | Benton County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1975-05-30 | Benton County | F0 0.1 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1975-04-02 | Benton County | F0 0.1 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1974-04-03 | Benton County | F4 1.3 mi x 333 yd | 0 | 0 | $250M step |
| 1956-03-06 | Benton County | F2 0.4 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 3 | $250K step |
| 1954-06-01 | Benton County | F2 | 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 Benton County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the November 17, 2013 tornado ($63,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
The tornado heavily damaged an outbuilding with several wood projectiles from the building stuck into a nearby garage roof. Debris from the outbuilding was lofted at least three miles downstream. Another outbuilding was heavily damaged and multiple trees were blown down or snapped. Maximum winds were estimated to be 95 mph. The tornado continued into White County (NWS Northern Indiana).
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 484082)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-29 | HeatBenton County · forecast zone Benton | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-16 | HailTempleton, Benton County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindAmbia, Benton County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-11 | TornadoBoswell, Benton County | EF1 12.3 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindTempleton, Benton County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindFowler, Benton County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindFowler, Benton County | 51 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-06 | Thunderstorm WindFowler, Benton County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-06 | Thunderstorm WindFowler, Benton County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-06 | Thunderstorm WindFowler, Benton County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-27 | Heavy RainTempleton, Benton County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-27 | Thunderstorm WindFowler, Benton County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-02-04 | Dense FogBenton County · forecast zone Benton A multiple vehicle accident occurred at a railroad crossing on US 41 in Boswell. A semi truck struck a train. Two occupants in this truck were critically injured. A car and a pickup truck crashed into the semi truck. The driver of the truck was trapped in the wreckage when another semi truck struck the pick up and ... | 1 | 2 | $69K | |
| 1956-03-06 | TornadoBenton County | F2 0.4 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 3 | $250K 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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-06-14 | HailBoswell, Benton County | 4.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3.4M |
| 2008-01-08 | Flash FloodRaub, Benton County | 0 | 0 | $343K | |
| 2010-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindBoswell, Benton County | 87 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $135K |
| 2011-04-19 | Thunderstorm WindTalbot, Benton County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $98K |
| 2008-02-04 | Dense FogBenton County · forecast zone Benton | 1 | 2 | $69K | |
| 2013-11-17 | TornadoTempleton, Benton County | EF1 2.9 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $63K |
| 2001-08-18 | HailCountywide, Benton County | 4.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $35K |
| 2008-08-04 | TornadoChase, Benton County | EF0 0.06 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $14K |
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: April 3, 1974 (tornado, Benton 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 Benton 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 | 4 | 14 | 6 | 31 | 33 | 28 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 33 | 12 | 2 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 4 | 14 | 8 | 19 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 0 | 17 | 5 | 1 |
| Tornadoes | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
58% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1960 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 30 · Feb 23 · Mar 23 · Apr 30 · May 64 · Jun 60 · Jul 28 · Aug 14 · Sep 10 · Oct 7 · Nov 7 · Dec 13 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Benton County
FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include Benton County: 14 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (9) and snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3641 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2023-04-15 | DR-4704 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 2020-04-03 | DR-4515 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3456 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-05-04 | DR-4363 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2011-06-23 | DR-1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| 2008-06-08 | DR-1766 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 2008-01-30 | DR-1740 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2007-03-12 | EM-3274 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3238 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-01-21 | DR-1573 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 2004-06-03 | DR-1520 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2003-07-11 | DR-1476 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2001-01-24 | EM-3162 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 1999-01-15 | EM-3135 | Snowstorm | In-Winter Storm 12/23/98 |
| 1998-07-22 | DR-1234 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 1998-05-08 | DR-1217 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 1991-03-29 | DR-899 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm |
| 1991-01-05 | DR-891 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-02-02 | EM-3028 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
| 1974-04-04 | DR-423 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
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.
FEMA's modeled risk for Benton County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Benton County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $3.3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $791K | 3.5 a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $197K | 3 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $541K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $214K | 4.3 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $182K | once in about 585 years (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Very Low | $9K | once in about 48 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | $81K | 4.2 modeled event-days a year |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | $21K | 9.3 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Benton 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 IndianaEvery Indiana tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in IndianaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Indiana recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Benton CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Benton County's FEMA declarations (CSV)21 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis