Clay County, Indiana
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 18021 · population 26,463 · 358 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 277 records for Clay County, Indiana from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 212 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (117 records). The deadliest single record is the January 8, 2022 winter weather, filed for the forecast zone Clay, which covers the county: 3 deaths, 1 injury and $25,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 20 declarations naming the county since 1959, 18 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
- 277on 212 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 33 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $127Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 9strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 20latest 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 Clay County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 117 since 1956. 44% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1956 fell in June and July. 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 | 89 | 1956-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | 70 of 91 |
| Floods | 45 | 39 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $124M | 45 of 91 |
| Hail | 44 | 32 | 1960-2025 | 0 | 0 | $100K | 77 of 91 |
| Winter storms | 34 | 33 | 1996-2026 | 3 | 1 | $25K | 67 of 91 |
| High wind and dust storms | 9 | 9 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 0 | $29K | 54 of 91 |
| Tornadoes | 9 | 9 | 1973-2026 | 0 | 2 | $1.2M | 88 of 91 |
| Drought | 8 | 8 | 2010-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 32 of 91 |
| Extreme cold | 5 | 5 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 46 of 91 |
| Heat | 2 | 2 | 1997-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 39 of 91 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 1996-2006 | 0 | 0 | $73K | 46 of 91 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2008-2008 | 0 | 0 | – | 43 of 91 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 1996-1996 | 0 | 0 | – | 44 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 Clay County had?
NOAA records 9 tornadoes in Clay County from 1973 to 2026, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 2 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 10 tornadoes whose track touched Clay County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 9: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Indiana.
Every tornado record filed for Clay County (9)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-17 | Cory, Clay County | EF1 4.5 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $400K |
| 2012-05-01 | Old Hill, Clay County | EF0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 2007-06-04 | Ashboro, Clay County | EF0 2.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $71K |
| 2007-04-11 | Knightsville, Clay County | EF0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 2004-05-30 | Brazil, Clay County | F0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-06-29 | Billville, Clay County | F0 1 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $45K |
| 1996-05-08 | Brazil, Clay County | F1 4.5 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $470K |
| 1988-09-19 | Clay County | F1 0.4 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 2 | $3K step |
| 1973-06-26 | Clay County | F1 1 mi x 30 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 Clay County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 17, 2026 tornado ($400,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
An EF-1 tornado with path length of 6.64 miles and a path width of 300 yards began in eastern Vigo County before moving into Clay county. Within Clay county the peak width was 300 yards, path length of 4.5 miles and peak winds of 110 mph. Damage within Clay county included significant damage to a 100 year old brick barn and several homesteads in western Clay county along 200S.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1342652)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-17 | TornadoCory, Clay County | EF1 4.5 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $400K |
| 2026-06-09 | Thunderstorm WindAshboro, Clay County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-06-09 | Thunderstorm WindBillville, Clay County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2026-05-18 | Thunderstorm WindClay City, Clay County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2026-03-22 | Thunderstorm WindClay City, Clay County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-01-26 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillClay County · forecast zone Clay | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Heavy SnowClay County · forecast zone Clay | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-28 | Thunderstorm WindKnightsville, Clay County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-12-14 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillClay County · forecast zone Clay | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-13 | Heavy SnowClay County · forecast zone Clay | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindAsherville, Clay County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2025-04-19 | Thunderstorm WindKnightsville, Clay County | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-01-08 | Winter WeatherClay County · forecast zone Clay Indiana State Police relayed through media that icy conditions on Interstate 70 near the westbound 24 mile marker caused a vehicle to lose control and strike a tree. 3 adults died from the collision while a minor sustained non-life-threatening injuries. | 3 | 1 | $25K | |
| 1988-09-19 | TornadoClay County | F1 0.4 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 2 | $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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-06-04 | FloodBowling Green, Clay County | 0 | 0 | $123M | |
| 1996-05-08 | TornadoBrazil, Clay County | F1 4.5 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $470K |
| 2026-06-17 | TornadoCory, Clay County | EF1 4.5 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $400K |
| 2007-06-04 | TornadoAshboro, Clay County | EF0 2.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $71K |
| 1998-06-29 | TornadoBillville, Clay County | F0 1 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $45K |
| 2022-01-08 | Winter WeatherClay County · forecast zone Clay | 3 | 1 | $25K | |
| 2026-05-18 | Thunderstorm WindClay City, Clay County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2014-07-07 | Thunderstorm WindCardonia, Clay County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $12K |
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 $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 26, 1973 (tornado, Clay 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 Clay 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 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 19 | 43 | 12 | 26 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 7 | 31 | 4 | 3 |
| Hail | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 21 | 10 | 3 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 11 | 7 | 9 | 7 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
44% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1956 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 20 · Feb 18 · Mar 18 · Apr 27 · May 41 · Jun 52 · Jul 33 · Aug 20 · Sep 9 · Oct 11 · Nov 12 · Dec 16 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Clay County
FEMA's register lists 20 declarations that include Clay County: 15 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (11) and flood (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3641 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2025-07-22 | DR-4882 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2020-04-03 | DR-4515 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3456 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2014-04-22 | DR-4173 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 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 |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3238 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-01-21 | DR-1573 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 2004-09-01 | DR-1542 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 2004-06-03 | DR-1520 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2003-09-05 | DR-1487 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2003-07-11 | DR-1476 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2002-06-13 | DR-1418 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 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 |
| 1996-04-02 | DR-1109 | Flood | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1993-09-09 | DR-1002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1977-02-02 | EM-3028 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
| 1959-01-29 | DR-91 | Flood | Flood |
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 Clay County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 45 flood or flash flood records for Clay County from 1996 to 2025, on 39 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Clay County ranks 2020th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $539,000 on 24 claims filed in Clay County; the most in one year was 9 in 2008. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1985: 1 · 2005: 1 · 2006: 1 · 2007: 1 · 2008: 9 · 2011: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2015: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2025: 2 · 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 Clay County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Clay County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $10.6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $1.1M | 4.6 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $115K | 8.7 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $1.1M | once in about 315 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $286K | 2.5 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $374K | 3.6 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $427K | 5.6 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $962K | 2.4 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.3M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Clay 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 Clay CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Clay County's FEMA declarations (CSV)20 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis