Branch County, Michigan
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 26023 · population 44,842 · 506 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 437 records for Branch County, Michigan from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 291 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (235 records). The deadliest day on its record was April 11, 1965: tornado records filed for Branch County that day count 18 deaths across 2 records. FEMA has issued 6 declarations naming the county since 1965, 4 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Katrina Evacuation” on September 7, 2005.
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
- 437on 291 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 23442 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $2.4Bas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 24strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 6latest 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 Branch County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 235 since 1965. 56% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1965 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Michigan'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 | 235 | 137 | 1965-2026 | 0 | 21 | $1.0M | 13 of 83 |
| Winter storms | 86 | 86 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 8 | – | 32 of 83 |
| Hail | 72 | 45 | 1965-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.9M | 22 of 83 |
| Tornadoes | 24 | 21 | 1954-2026 | 22 | 413 | $2.4B | 11 of 83 |
| High wind and dust storms | 15 | 15 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $37K | 26 of 83 |
| Extreme cold | 5 | 5 | 2014-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 49 of 83 |
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 Branch County had?
NOAA records 24 tornadoes in Branch County from 1954 to 2026, the strongest rated F4, with 22 deaths and 413 injuries recorded in the county. That is 11th of 83 Michigan 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 22 tornadoes whose track touched Branch County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 24: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 45 people, 22 of them in Branch County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965-04-11 18:00, as SPC files it | TecumsehCrossed IN, MI | F4 | 90.3 mi | 23 |
| 1965-04-11 18:40, as SPC files it | Tecumseh | F4 | 80.5 mi | 21 |
| 1963-04-17 18:13, as SPC files it | Coldwater | F1 | 1 mi | 1 |
| 1986-05-15 15:54, as SPC files it | Coldwater | F3 | 1.2 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Michigan.
Every tornado record filed for Branch County (24)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-15 | Coldwater Lake, Branch County | EF1 2.59 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-06 | Sherwood, Branch County | EF3 5.23 mi x 500 yd | 3 | 12 | – |
| 2025-04-02 | East Gilead, Branch County | EF1 3.73 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | $50K |
| 2025-04-02 | East Gilead, Branch County | EF1 7.42 mi x 600 yd | 0 | 0 | $100K |
| 2024-05-07 | Sherwood, Branch County | EF2 6.16 mi x 950 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-05-07 | Sherwood, Branch County | EF1 1.09 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-07-12 | Sherwood, Branch County | EF1 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $24K |
| 2011-05-29 | Coldwater, Branch County | EF1 0.33 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $66K |
| 2010-07-22 | Lackwood, Branch County | EF0 1.46 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1991-04-23 | Branch County | F0 0.5 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1989-05-31 | Branch County | F1 11.7 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 1 | $250K step |
| 1986-05-17 | Branch County | F1 4.9 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1986-05-15 | Branch County | F3 1.2 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1983-06-30 | Branch County | F2 1 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1983-03-07 | Branch County | F1 0.3 mi x 37 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1976-03-12 | Branch County | F2 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1975-05-25 | Branch County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1975-05-21 | Branch County | F2 0.8 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1974-04-01 | Branch County | F1 10.6 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1969-04-15 | Branch County | F1 0.5 mi x 7 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1965-04-11 | Branch County | F4 9.2 mi x 33 yd | 9 | 200 | – |
| 1965-04-11 | Branch County | F4 15.5 mi x 1,333 yd | 9 | 200 | $250M step |
| 1963-04-17 | Branch County | F1 1 mi x 33 yd | 1 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1954-05-31 | Branch County | F1 0.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K 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 Branch County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 11, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($10,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindBronson Airport, Branch County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindEast Gilead, Branch County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-04-27 | Strong WindBranch County · forecast zone Branch | 40 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-04-16 | Thunderstorm WindColdwater Airport, Branch County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-16 | Thunderstorm WindLackwood, Branch County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | TornadoColdwater Lake, Branch County | EF1 2.59 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-06 | TornadoSherwood, Branch County | EF3 5.23 mi x 500 yd | 3 | 12 | – |
| 2026-03-03 | HailSherwood, Branch County | 1.40 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter WeatherBranch County · forecast zone Branch | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-18 | Winter WeatherBranch County · forecast zone Branch | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-29 | Winter WeatherBranch County · forecast zone Branch | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-19 | Winter WeatherBranch County · forecast zone Branch | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965-04-11 | TornadoBranch County | F4 15.5 mi x 1,333 yd | 9 | 200 | $250M step |
| 1965-04-11 | TornadoBranch County | F4 9.2 mi x 33 yd | 9 | 200 | – |
| 2026-03-06 | TornadoSherwood, Branch County The most intense and deadly tornado of the cyclic tornadic supercell touched down in northwest Branch county, northwest of Union Lake between Blossom Rd and Mendon Rd. This tornado was well photographed from multiple angles, and it quickly turned into a multi-vortex wedge. After destroying a pole barn and damaging a ... | EF3 5.23 mi x 500 yd | 3 | 12 | – |
| 2007-12-01 | Winter StormBranch County and Calhoun County · forecast zone Branch A brief burst of light to moderate snow, mixed at times with sleet during the evening hours switched over to freezing rain into the early morning hours of the 2nd. Ice accumulations of a tenth to quarted inch coated trees, power lines and roads. More than 2 dozen slide offs and accidents were reported in and around ... | 1 | 7 | – | |
| 1963-04-17 | TornadoBranch County | F1 1 mi x 33 yd | 1 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1991-03-27 | Thunderstorm WindBranch County | 0 | 18 | – | |
| 1995-08-15 | Thunderstorm WindAlgansee Twp, Branch County A tree blown over by thunderstorm winds struck a moving bus, entering the cab and front part of the vehicle and injuring the driver and two passengers. | 0 | 3 | $10K | |
| 2007-01-14 | Ice StormBranch County and Calhoun County · forecast zone Branch Tree limbs and power lines were down due to the accumulation of around one half inch of ice across the county. One injury was reported in Bronson where a large limb fell into a car pinning the driver. The severity of the injuries were not available. | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-02 | TornadoEast Gilead, Branch County | EF1 7.42 mi x 600 yd | 0 | 0 | $100K |
| 2011-05-29 | TornadoColdwater, Branch County | EF1 0.33 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $66K |
| 2025-04-02 | TornadoEast Gilead, Branch County | EF1 3.73 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | $50K |
| 2010-05-07 | Thunderstorm WindQuincy, Branch County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $14K |
| 1995-08-15 | Thunderstorm WindAlgansee Twp, Branch County | 0 | 3 | $10K | |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindEast Gilead, Branch County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
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 11, 1965 (tornado, Branch County, 9 killed).
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 Branch 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 | 4 | 4 | 26 | 39 | 49 | 81 | 32 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 12 | 20 | 37 | 17 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 30 | 12 | 4 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 2 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
56% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1965 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 31 · Feb 28 · Mar 20 · Apr 28 · May 53 · Jun 91 · Jul 68 · Aug 54 · Sep 20 · Oct 7 · Nov 12 · Dec 25 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Branch County
FEMA's register lists 6 declarations that include Branch County: 2 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for biological (2) and snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-27 | DR-4494 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3455 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2005-09-07 | EM-3225 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2001-01-10 | EM-3160 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 1978-01-27 | EM-3057 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| 1965-04-14 | DR-190 | Tornado | Tornadoes & Severe Storms |
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.
Flood insurance claims in Branch County
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $606,000 on 33 claims filed in Branch County; the most in one year was 11 in 2018. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1982: 1 · 2007: 1 · 2008: 9 · 2009: 2 · 2010: 1 · 2013: 6 · 2018: 11 · 2021: 1 · 2026: 1; 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 Branch County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Branch County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $13.7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $699K | 2.9 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $2.4M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $842K | 5.2 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $112K | 1.6 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $7.5M | once in about 100 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $239K | 0.8 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $1.1M | 3.1 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $218K | 37 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 Branch 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 MichiganEvery Michigan tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in MichiganThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Michigan recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Branch CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Branch County's FEMA declarations (CSV)6 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis