Buffalo County, Wisconsin
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 55011 · population 13,283 · 676 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 511 records for Buffalo County, Wisconsin from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 349 days; the most frequent are hail reports (138 records). The deadliest single record is the November 24, 2014 winter weather, filed for the forecast zone Buffalo, which covers the county: 1 death and $1,870 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1965, 14 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding” on June 30, 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
- 511on 349 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 110 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $70Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 21strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 16latest 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 Buffalo County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 138 since 1972. 46% of its hail reports since 1972 fell in May and June. The rank column places the county among Wisconsin'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 138 | 86 | 1972-2026 | 0 | 0 | $4.5M | 19 of 72 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 136 | 94 | 1963-2026 | 0 | 2 | $1.9M | 39 of 72 |
| Winter storms | 105 | 105 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 1 | $657K | 35 of 72 |
| Floods | 39 | 28 | 1997-2023 | 0 | 0 | $17M | 29 of 72 |
| Tornadoes | 21 | 18 | 1953-2026 | 0 | 7 | $46M | 37 of 72 |
| Extreme cold | 19 | 19 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 34 of 72 |
| Heavy rain | 18 | 10 | 2009-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 18 of 72 |
| Drought | 14 | 14 | 2012-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 49 of 72 |
| Heat | 13 | 13 | 1999-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 27 of 72 |
| High wind and dust storms | 6 | 6 | 1998-2021 | 0 | 0 | $189K | 50 of 72 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2013-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 64 of 72 |
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 Buffalo County had?
NOAA records 21 tornadoes in Buffalo County from 1953 to 2026, the strongest rated F4, with 0 deaths and 7 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 20 tornadoes whose track touched Buffalo County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 21: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 2 people, 0 of them in Buffalo County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953-05-10 17:30, as SPC files it | StanleyCrossed IA, MN, WI | F4 | 162 mi | 2 |
| 1998-05-15 16:50, as SPC files it | Unnamed | F3 | 8 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Wisconsin.
Every tornado record filed for Buffalo County (21)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-17 | Glencoe, Buffalo County | EF3 10.35 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $928K |
| 2025-04-28 | Mondovi, Buffalo County | EF1 2.21 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $50K |
| 2024-05-21 | Herold, Buffalo County | EF1 2.69 mi x 45 yd | 0 | 0 | $123K |
| 2024-05-21 | Cochrane, Buffalo County | EF1 3.9 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $81K |
| 2024-05-21 | Fountain City, Buffalo County | EF1 3.01 mi x 110 yd | 0 | 0 | $196K |
| 2016-07-05 | Garden Vly, Buffalo County | EF1 0.45 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $289K |
| 2016-07-05 | Cream, Buffalo County | EF1 0.74 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $320K |
| 2010-06-17 | Cream, Buffalo County | EF1 2.28 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $282K |
| 2001-06-11 | Urne, Buffalo County | F0 1.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 1999-07-08 | Mondovi, Buffalo County | F1 10 mi x 120 yd | 0 | 3 | $1.8M |
| 1998-05-15 | Mondovi, Buffalo County | F0 3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $36K |
| 1998-03-29 | Maxville, Buffalo County | F0 4 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1992-10-08 | Buffalo County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1990-09-09 | Buffalo County | F1 26 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 1 | $2.5M step |
| 1984-06-17 | Buffalo County | F0 1 mi x 27 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1982-05-17 | Buffalo County | F2 9 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 3 | $2.5M step |
| 1964-06-20 | Buffalo County | F1 1 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1964-05-23 | Buffalo County | F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1960-06-28 | Buffalo County | F2 12.2 mi x 67 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1959-05-05 | Buffalo County | F0 0.3 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1953-05-10 | Buffalo County | F4 36.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M 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 Buffalo County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 19, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-29 | Excessive HeatBuffalo County · forecast zone Buffalo | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-19 | Thunderstorm WindTell, Buffalo County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-06-19 | Thunderstorm WindWaumandee, Buffalo County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindBluff Siding, Buffalo County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $75K |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindMontana, Buffalo County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 2026-06-05 | Thunderstorm WindGarden Vly, Buffalo County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-05 | HailFountain City, Buffalo County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-17 | HailMondovi, Buffalo County | 0.88 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-17 | TornadoGlencoe, Buffalo County | EF3 10.35 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $928K |
| 2026-04-13 | HailWaumandee, Buffalo County | 3.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $75K |
| 2026-04-13 | HailTell, Buffalo County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-13 | HailNelson, Buffalo County | 1.50 in hail | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-11-24 | Winter WeatherBuffalo County · forecast zone Buffalo The driver of a vehicle was killed when he slid into the path of an oncoming freight train north of Fountain City. The accident occurred on slippery roads created by the heavy, wet snow that was falling. | 1 | 0 | $2K | |
| 1999-07-08 | TornadoMondovi, Buffalo County A tornado sheared off trees and caused minor damage to homes and barns before hitting the town of Mondovi (Buffalo County). Two homes in Mondovi had roofs removed or garages damaged. Three people sustained minor injuries. 70 to 80 mph winds ripped through areas east of La Crosse, knocking down numerous trees and ... | F1 10 mi x 120 yd | 0 | 3 | $1.8M |
| 1982-05-17 | TornadoBuffalo County | F2 9 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 3 | $2.5M step |
| 1996-05-19 | Thunderstorm WindNelson, Buffalo County A fast moving line of severe thunderstorms produced straight-line winds up to 90 mph. Hardest hit were areas from Alma to Nelson and Mondovi. A waste transfer building and several barns were destroyed along county highway D northeast of Nelson. Heavy damage was reported to barns just south of Mondovi. Only 2 people ... | 0 | 2 | $160K | |
| 2009-12-08 | Winter StormBuffalo County · forecast zone Buffalo Hazardous driving conditions were reported throughout Buffalo County, with Highway 95 having the worst conditions. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 1990-09-09 | TornadoBuffalo County | F1 26 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 1 | $2.5M 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-08-11 | Flash FloodMondovi, Buffalo County | 0 | 0 | $5.1M | |
| 2017-07-19 | Flash FloodBuffalo City, Buffalo County | 0 | 0 | $4.1M | |
| 2010-08-13 | Flash FloodDodge, Buffalo County | 0 | 0 | $2.3M | |
| 2017-07-20 | FloodBuffalo City, Buffalo County | 0 | 0 | $2.1M | |
| 1999-07-08 | TornadoMondovi, Buffalo County | F1 10 mi x 120 yd | 0 | 3 | $1.8M |
| 2010-09-23 | FloodEast Winona, Buffalo County | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | |
| 2026-04-17 | TornadoGlencoe, Buffalo County | EF3 10.35 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $928K |
| 2017-06-16 | HailWaumandee, Buffalo County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $779K |
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 $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 17, 1982 (tornado, Buffalo County); September 9, 1990 (tornado, Buffalo County); May 10, 1953 (tornado, Buffalo 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 Buffalo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 23 | 49 | 34 | 23 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 36 | 30 | 29 | 24 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 13 | 33 | 36 | 23 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 10 | 22 | 4 |
| Tornadoes | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 3 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
46% of its hail reports since 1972 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 40 · Feb 30 · Mar 25 · Apr 32 · May 57 · Jun 98 · Jul 81 · Aug 72 · Sep 29 · Oct 8 · Nov 9 · Dec 30 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Buffalo County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Buffalo County: 13 major disasters, 3 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (6) and flood (5).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-30 | DR-4923 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2020-04-04 | DR-4520 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3454 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2017-10-07 | DR-4343 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud |
| 2010-10-21 | DR-1944 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3249 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2001-05-11 | DR-1369 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 1998-07-24 | DR-1236 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms,Straigh Line Winds, Tornadoes,Rain,and Floodi |
| 1993-07-02 | DR-994 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1992-09-30 | DR-964 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1978-07-07 | DR-559 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Hail & Tornadoes |
| 1976-06-17 | EM-3014 | Drought | Drought |
| 1975-09-15 | DR-482 | Severe Storm | Heavy Rains, Tornadoes & Flash Floods |
| 1973-04-27 | DR-376 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1969-05-01 | DR-260 | Flood | Flooding |
| 1965-04-21 | DR-192 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding |
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 Buffalo County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 39 flood or flash flood records for Buffalo County from 1997 to 2023, on 28 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Buffalo County ranks 1928th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $328,000 on 29 claims filed in Buffalo County; the most in one year was 11 in 2001. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 1 · 1993: 1 · 1996: 1 · 1997: 6 · 2001: 11 · 2002: 1 · 2010: 2 · 2011: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2023: 3; 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 Buffalo County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Buffalo County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $7.0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $80K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $484K | 4.2 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $1.4M | 7.8 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $85K | 4.2 modeled event-days a year |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $63K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $869K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $329K | 3.4 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $100K | 36 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 Buffalo 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 WisconsinEvery Wisconsin tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Hail in WisconsinThe state's hail reports, by county, year and month
- The Wisconsin recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Buffalo CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Buffalo County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis