Clark County, Ohio

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 39023 · population 135,980 · 396 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 663 records for Clark County, Ohio from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 465 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (278 records). The deadliest single record is the May 7, 1998 flash flood: 1 death and $91,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 11 declarations naming the county since 1974, 9 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds” on August 20, 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
663on 465 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
121 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$48Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
33strongest F5
FEMA declarations
11latest 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 Clark County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 278 since 1964. 53% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1964 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Ohio's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.

Clark County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 278 194 1964-2026 0 4 $1.8M 14 of 88
Winter storms 130 130 1996-2026 0 0 $990K 7 of 88
Floods 94 63 1996-2026 1 0 $643K 21 of 88
Hail 87 65 1974-2026 0 0 $159K 28 of 88
Tornadoes 33 27 1962-2025 0 14 $21M 2 of 88
High wind and dust storms 20 18 1997-2026 0 0 $23M 48 of 88
Heavy rain 6 5 2011-2014 0 0 – 14 of 88
Heat 5 5 1999-2019 0 0 – 20 of 88
Extreme cold 4 4 1996-2022 0 0 $806K 57 of 88
Lightning 4 4 1996-2003 0 3 – 16 of 88
Drought 2 2 1999-1999 0 0 – 50 of 88

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 Clark County had?

NOAA records 33 tornadoes in Clark County from 1962 to 2025, the strongest rated F5, with 0 deaths and 14 injuries recorded in the county. That is 2nd of 88 Ohio counties and 210th of 3,080 U.S. 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 34 tornadoes whose track touched Clark County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 33: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 36 people, 0 of them in Clark County.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Clark County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1974-04-03 13:30, as SPC files itXeniaF531.3 mi36
1973-05-10 16:49, as SPC files itColumbusF389.6 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Ohio.

Every tornado record filed for Clark County (33)
Every tornado recorded in Clark County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2025-07-19 Villa, Clark County EF1 2.8 mi x 175 yd 0 0 $200K
2025-07-19 North Hampton, Clark County EF0 0.9 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $10K
2024-02-28 Pitchin, Clark County EF2 13.12 mi x 500 yd 0 3 $941K
2023-02-27 New Carlisle Airport, Clark County EF1 2.31 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $242K
2022-06-08 North Hampton, Clark County EF1 16.92 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $504K
2019-04-14 Eagle City, Clark County EF0 2.68 mi x 80 yd 0 0 $52K
2019-04-12 Plattsburg, Clark County EFU 0.96 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2019-04-12 Royal, Clark County EF0 0.75 mi x 25 yd 0 0 $17K
2019-02-07 Pitchin, Clark County EF0 7.5 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $46K
2018-04-03 Cortville, Clark County EF1 4.3 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $100K
2017-11-05 South Vienna, Clark County EF1 4.55 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $120K
2017-05-24 Crystal Lakes, Clark County EF0 1.13 mi x 90 yd 0 0 $120K
2017-05-24 Park Layne, Clark County EF1 0.4 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $301K
2017-04-05 Rock Way, Clark County EF0 0.11 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $60K
2017-04-05 Enon, Clark County EF0 0.08 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $36K
2015-04-02 New Carlisle Airport, Clark County EF0 0.13 mi x 120 yd 0 0 $1K
2011-05-23 Villa, Clark County EF1 0.4 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $24K
2011-04-27 New Carlisle, Clark County EF0 1.31 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $33K
2008-05-08 Selma, Clark County EF0 0.16 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $1K
2007-05-15 Springfield, Clark County EF0 0.15 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $28K
1996-05-08 Bethel Twp, Clark County F0 1 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $19K
1992-06-18 Clark County F1 0.1 mi x 33 yd 0 0 –
1992-06-18 Clark County F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd 0 0 –
1986-04-20 Clark County F1 3.5 mi x 27 yd 0 6 $250K step
1976-01-13 Clark County F1 0 0 $25K step
1974-08-03 Clark County F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $25K step
1974-04-03 Clark County F2 15.7 mi x 180 yd 0 0 $250K step
1974-04-03 Clark County F5 10.9 mi x 533 yd 0 0 $2.5M step
1973-05-10 Clark County F3 8 mi x 300 yd 0 4 $3K step
1971-02-26 Clark County F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd 0 1 $25K step
1968-05-26 Clark County F1 0.2 mi x 17 yd 0 0 $3K step
1965-03-17 Clark County F1 5.2 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $25K step
1962-07-20 Clark County 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 Clark County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 27, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The 12 most recent records kept for Clark County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-28 FloodDurbin, Clark County 0 0 –
2026-06-28 Flash FloodBeatty, Clark County 0 0 –
2026-06-27 Thunderstorm WindLimecrest, Clark County 50 kt wind 0 0 $1K
2026-06-27 Thunderstorm WindMaitland, Clark County 50 kt wind 0 0 $1K
2026-06-11 Thunderstorm WindSouth Charleston, Clark County 45 kt wind 0 0 $500
2026-06-11 Thunderstorm WindMaitland, Clark County 50 kt wind 0 0 $250
2026-06-11 Thunderstorm WindNorth Hampton, Clark County 50 kt wind 0 0 $10K
2026-06-11 Thunderstorm WindCrystal Lakes, Clark County 50 kt wind 0 0 $500
2026-06-06 Thunderstorm WindSouth Charleston, Clark County 50 kt wind 0 0 $3K
2026-06-06 Thunderstorm WindBrighton, Clark County 50 kt wind 0 0 $5K
2026-06-06 Thunderstorm WindSpringfield, Clark County 50 kt wind 0 0 $10K
2026-06-06 Thunderstorm WindVilla, Clark County 50 kt wind 0 0 $4K

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

Records with deaths or injuries in Clark County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1998-05-07 Flash FloodCountywide, Clark County From 2.5 to 5 inches of rain fell across Clark county with much of it falling in only a few hours. Numerous roads were flooded and people were rescued from their vehicles. A man was swept into Buck Creek and killed. The creek was 9 feet higher than normal. 1 0 $91K
1986-04-20 TornadoClark County F1 3.5 mi x 27 yd 0 6 $250K step
1973-05-10 TornadoClark County F3 8 mi x 300 yd 0 4 $3K step
2024-02-28 TornadoPitchin, Clark County The first known damage from this tornado was in a stand of trees southwest of Selma Pike. Additional tree damage was found on Selma Pike south of Shawnee High School, where several trees were snapped. The tornado then strengthened and broadened as it moved east-northeast, eventually reaching EF2 intensity as it ... EF2 13.12 mi x 500 yd 0 3 $941K
1996-05-10 LightningSpringfield, Clark County Two individuals were outside when a thunderstorm rapidly approached. Both people were struck by a single lightning bolt. 0 2 –
1989-06-03 Thunderstorm WindClark County 0 2 –
2003-08-04 LightningSouth Vienna, Clark County A 41 year old man doing construction along State Route 54 complained of tingling in his legs after lightning struck a nearby metal guardrail. He was treated for his injuries at a nearby hospital and released. 0 1 –
1997-01-05 Thunderstorm WindEnon, Clark County A tractor trailer was blown over on I-70. The driver was treated with minor injuries. Numerous homes received light structural damage. Several trees were downed. 0 1 $138K

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.

The costliest records in Clark County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2008-09-14 High WindClark County · forecast zone Clark 53 kt wind 0 0 $23M
2022-06-08 TornadoNorth Hampton, Clark County EF1 16.92 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $504K
2017-05-24 TornadoPark Layne, Clark County EF1 0.4 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $301K
2023-02-27 TornadoNew Carlisle Airport, Clark County EF1 2.31 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $242K
2025-07-19 TornadoVilla, Clark County EF1 2.8 mi x 175 yd 0 0 $200K
1997-01-05 Thunderstorm WindEnon, Clark County 0 1 $138K
2017-11-05 TornadoSouth Vienna, Clark County EF1 4.55 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $120K
2018-04-03 TornadoCortville, Clark County EF1 4.3 mi x 150 yd 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 $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: April 3, 1974 (tornado, Clark 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 Clark 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).

Clark County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind0732537659150
Winter storms––––102274 z24
Floods––––5273824
Hail001611312711
Tornadoes036132135
High wind and dust storms––––1937

Winter storms in the 2010s: 74 records against 22 in the decade before, 74 of them forecast-zone records. Cells marked z rose mostly through zone records. The local National Weather Service office files these once per forecast zone, so a change in how it draws its zones or splits a storm into records moves this count as much as the weather does; read it beside the Clark County days with a record above.

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).

What time of year?

53% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1964 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 56 · Feb 55 · Mar 43 · Apr 64 · May 96 · Jun 120 · Jul 103 · Aug 46 · Sep 15 · Oct 6 · Nov 24 · Dec 35 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Clark County

FEMA's register lists 11 declarations that include Clark County: 6 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (5) and biological (2).

Declarations including Clark County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2020-03-31DR-4507BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3457BiologicalCovid-19
2012-08-20DR-4077Severe StormSevere Storms and Straight-Line Winds
2012-06-30EM-3346Severe StormSevere Storms
2008-10-24DR-1805Severe StormSevere Wind Storm Associated With Tropical Depression Ike
2005-09-13EM-3250HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2005-02-15DR-1580Severe StormSevere Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides
2005-01-11EM-3198SnowstormSnow
2004-09-19DR-1556Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
1978-01-26EM-3055SnowstormBlizzards & Snowstorms
1974-04-04DR-421TornadoTornadoes

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 Clark County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 94 flood or flash flood records for Clark County from 1996 to 2026, on 63 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Clark County ranks 1149th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $4.3 million on 136 claims filed in Clark County; the most in one year was 18 in 2014. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1978: 1 · 1979: 3 · 1980: 13 · 1981: 8 · 1982: 2 · 1986: 1 · 1990: 4 · 1991: 1 · 1993: 1 · 1995: 1 · 1996: 4 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 6 · 2001: 1 · 2002: 3 · 2003: 1 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 13 · 2006: 1 · 2008: 4 · 2009: 1 · 2010: 1 · 2011: 6 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 3 · 2014: 18 · 2017: 14 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2020: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2026: 7; 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 Clark County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Clark County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $32.7 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Clark County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
Ice StormRelatively High$645K1.1 a year (modeled)
Riverine FloodingRelatively Moderate$22M2.1 a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Moderate$3.9Monce in about 4 years (modeled)
HailRelatively Moderate$881K3.4 a year (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively Moderate$202K11 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$1.2M2.2 a year (modeled)
LightningRelatively Moderate$591K45 a year (modeled)
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$1.7M4.4 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 Clark County

  1. Montgomery County 1,043
  2. Greene County 773
  3. Clark County 663
  4. Miami County 585
  5. Champaign County 444
  6. Madison County 435

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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