Caldwell County, Missouri
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 29025 · population 8,773 · 426 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 308 records for Caldwell County, Missouri from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 224 days; the most frequent are hail reports (102 records). The deadliest single record is the April 23, 1975 tornado: 1 death and 3 injuries. FEMA has issued 24 declarations naming the county since 1965, 22 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding” on September 1, 2021.
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
- 308on 224 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 110 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $21Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 11strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 24latest 2021
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 Caldwell County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 102 since 1955. 48% of its hail reports since 1955 fell in May and June. The rank column places the county among Missouri'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 | 102 | 71 | 1955-2026 | 0 | 0 | $182K | 51 of 114 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 84 | 66 | 1958-2025 | 0 | 0 | $406K | 75 of 114 |
| Winter storms | 42 | 42 | 1997-2021 | 0 | 6 | $342K | 45 of 114 |
| Floods | 22 | 13 | 2004-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 106 of 114 |
| Drought | 19 | 19 | 2000-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 43 of 114 |
| Heat | 16 | 16 | 1999-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 49 of 114 |
| Tornadoes | 11 | 10 | 1955-2021 | 1 | 4 | $20M | 93 of 114 |
| Extreme cold | 10 | 10 | 1997-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 26 of 114 |
| High wind and dust storms | 2 | 2 | 2015-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 85 of 114 |
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 Caldwell County had?
NOAA records 11 tornadoes in Caldwell County from 1955 to 2021, the strongest rated F4, with 1 death and 4 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 Caldwell County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 11, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975-04-23 14:40, as SPC files it | Breckenridge | F4 | 11.4 mi | 1 |
| 1955-03-14 17:10, as SPC files it | Turney to Kingston | F3 | 9.8 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Missouri.
Every tornado record filed for Caldwell County (11)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-10-24 | Mirabile, Caldwell County | EF1 4.21 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $11K |
| 2018-10-09 | Polo, Caldwell County | EF0 1.31 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-05-16 | Polo, Caldwell County | EF0 1.76 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-06-07 | Kidder, Caldwell County | EF0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1991-04-28 | Caldwell County | F0 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1975-12-14 | Caldwell County | F1 0.7 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1975-04-23 | Caldwell County | F4 11.4 mi x 400 yd | 1 | 3 | $2.5M step |
| 1974-03-08 | Caldwell County | F1 27.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1967-01-24 | Caldwell County | F0 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1955-03-14 | Caldwell County | F3 4.1 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1955-03-14 | Caldwell County | F3 5.7 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 1 | $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.
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 Caldwell County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the October 24, 2021 tornado ($11,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
This tornado developed just east of Interstate 35 in Clinton County, MO. It quickly crossed into Caldwell County, MO where it damaged several trees and a few buildings. The tornado dissipated just east of Goose Creek and State Route D.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 990006)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-15 | HailHamilton, Caldwell County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | HailNettleton, Caldwell County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | HailHamilton, Caldwell County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-19 | Thunderstorm WindPolo, Caldwell County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-19 | Thunderstorm WindMirabile, Caldwell County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-19 | Thunderstorm WindHamilton, Caldwell County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-03-14 | Thunderstorm WindPolo, Caldwell County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-03-14 | Thunderstorm WindKingston, Caldwell County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-18 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillCaldwell County · forecast zone Caldwell | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2021-10-24 | TornadoMirabile, Caldwell County | EF1 4.21 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $11K |
| 2018-10-09 | TornadoPolo, Caldwell County | EF0 1.31 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-05-16 | TornadoPolo, Caldwell County | EF0 1.76 mi x 100 yd | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975-04-23 | TornadoCaldwell County | F4 11.4 mi x 400 yd | 1 | 3 | $2.5M step |
| 2013-12-13 | Winter WeatherCaldwell County · forecast zone Caldwell Early in the morning of December 13, 2013 light rain began falling across the area while surface temperatures were sub freezing. Slick roads resulted from the icy conditions, causing several vehicles to slide off the roads. In one particular incident a school bus slid off the road near Cameron Missouri. At last ... | 0 | 6 | – | |
| 1955-03-14 | TornadoCaldwell County | F3 5.7 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 1 | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindPolo, Caldwell County | 0 | 0 | $127K | |
| 2004-05-24 | HailNettleton, Caldwell County | 4.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | $70K |
| 1998-10-04 | Thunderstorm WindKidder, Caldwell County | 0 | 0 | $45K | |
| 2021-10-24 | TornadoMirabile, Caldwell County | EF1 4.21 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $11K |
| 2001-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindMirabile, Caldwell County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2008-05-02 | Thunderstorm WindMirabile, Caldwell County | 70 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 $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: April 23, 1975 (tornado, Caldwell County, 1 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 Caldwell 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 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 15 | 42 | 26 | 9 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 2 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 28 | 22 | 12 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 4 | 16 | 20 | 2 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 0 | 4 | 15 | 3 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 1 | 14 | 4 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 1 | 13 | 1 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
48% of its hail reports since 1955 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 19 · Feb 18 · Mar 24 · Apr 36 · May 44 · Jun 59 · Jul 33 · Aug 28 · Sep 16 · Oct 11 · Nov 7 · Dec 13 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Caldwell County
FEMA's register lists 24 declarations that include Caldwell County: 18 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (10) and flood (5).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-09-01 | DR-4612 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2020-03-26 | DR-4490 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3482 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-07-09 | DR-4451 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2015-08-07 | DR-4238 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2011-03-23 | DR-1961 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2011-02-03 | EM-3317 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2010-08-17 | DR-1934 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 2009-01-30 | EM-3303 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2007-12-27 | DR-1736 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 2007-12-12 | EM-3281 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 2007-06-11 | DR-1708 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3232 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-06-11 | DR-1524 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2002-02-06 | DR-1403 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Ice Storm |
| 1998-10-14 | DR-1253 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
| 1993-07-09 | DR-995 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1984-06-21 | DR-713 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1976-09-24 | EM-3017 | Drought | Drought |
| 1975-05-03 | DR-466 | Tornado | Tornadoes, High Winds & Hail |
| 1974-06-10 | DR-439 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1973-11-01 | DR-407 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1973-04-19 | DR-372 | Severe Storm | Heavy Rains, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1965-07-27 | DR-203 | Flood | 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 Caldwell County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 22 flood or flash flood records for Caldwell County from 2004 to 2021, on 13 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Caldwell County ranks 2830th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $271 on 1 claim filed in Caldwell County; the most in one year was 1 in 1998. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1998: 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 Caldwell County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Caldwell County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $4.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $368K | 15 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $899K | 3.5 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $308K | 11 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $177K | 6.6 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $645K | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $39K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $24K | 11 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $158K | 4.9 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 Caldwell 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 MissouriEvery Missouri tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Hail in MissouriThe state's hail reports, by county, year and month
- The Missouri recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Caldwell CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Caldwell County's FEMA declarations (CSV)24 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis