DeKalb County, Missouri
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 29063 · population 10,966 · 421 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 363 records for DeKalb County, Missouri from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 256 days; the most frequent are hail reports (135 records). The deadliest single record is the May 29, 2004 tornado: 3 deaths, 6 injuries and $469,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 22 declarations naming the county since 1965, 20 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding” on August 7, 2015.
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
- 363on 256 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 417 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $6.2Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 19strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 22latest 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 DeKalb County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 135 since 1955. 50% of its hail reports since 1955 fell in April and May. 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 | 135 | 88 | 1955-2026 | 0 | 0 | $500K | 28 of 114 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 88 | 64 | 1959-2025 | 0 | 2 | $1.4M | 76 of 114 |
| Winter storms | 50 | 50 | 1997-2026 | 1 | 1 | $540K | 25 of 114 |
| Floods | 21 | 16 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 99 of 114 |
| Drought | 19 | 19 | 2000-2022 | 0 | 0 | – | 42 of 114 |
| Tornadoes | 19 | 12 | 1957-2021 | 3 | 13 | $3.7M | 73 of 114 |
| Heat | 15 | 15 | 1999-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 50 of 114 |
| Extreme cold | 11 | 11 | 1997-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 19 of 114 |
| High wind and dust storms | 4 | 4 | 2015-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 45 of 114 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2017-2017 | 0 | 1 | – | 38 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 DeKalb County had?
NOAA records 19 tornadoes in DeKalb County from 1957 to 2021, the strongest rated F4, with 3 deaths and 13 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 21 tornadoes whose track touched DeKalb County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 19: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 3 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-05-29 21:30, as SPC files it | Pattonsburg | F4 | 22 mi | 3 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Missouri.
Every tornado record filed for DeKalb County (19)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-05-20 | Osborn, DeKalb County | EF0 0.88 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2014-09-09 | Fairport, DeKalb County | EF0 0.75 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-06-07 | Weatherby, DeKalb County | EF0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-06-07 | Amity, DeKalb County | EF0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2006-04-15 | Stewartsville, DeKalb County | F2 13 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $110K |
| 2006-04-15 | Stewartsville, DeKalb County | F0 1.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-05-29 | Osborn, DeKalb County | F2 5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-05-29 | Fairport, DeKalb County | F0 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-05-29 | Weatherby, DeKalb County | F4 4 mi x 800 yd | 3 | 6 | $469K |
| 2004-05-29 | Maysville, DeKalb County | F0 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-05-29 | Osborn, DeKalb County | F1 1 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $16K |
| 1985-05-26 | DeKalb County | F0 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1982-05-28 | DeKalb County | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1974-05-13 | DeKalb County | F1 7.8 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1971-05-18 | DeKalb County | F2 11.8 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1971-05-18 | DeKalb County | F2 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1965-04-10 | DeKalb County | F2 9.6 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 7 | $250K step |
| 1964-08-20 | DeKalb County | F1 1.5 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1957-05-20 | DeKalb County | F2 9.8 mi x 200 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 DeKalb County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the May 20, 2021 tornado ($5,446 in damage in 2025 dollars).
Emergency management from DeKalb County notified the office that there were power poles and power lines down on two roads that are about a mile apart. The path of damage between these two roads was pretty narrow, and radar indicated some weak rotation, so a tornado was deemed the reason for the damage.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 959955)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-15 | HailWeatherby, DeKalb County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | HailWeatherby, DeKalb County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | HailWeatherby, DeKalb County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | HailWeatherby, DeKalb County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | HailOsborn, DeKalb County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | HailMaysville, DeKalb County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | HailOsborn, DeKalb County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-01-24 | Heavy SnowDeKalb County · forecast zone De Kalb | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-03-14 | Thunderstorm WindStewartsville, DeKalb County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-18 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillDeKalb County · forecast zone De Kalb | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2021-05-20 | TornadoOsborn, DeKalb County | EF0 0.88 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2019-12-17 | Winter WeatherDeKalb County · forecast zone De Kalb | 1 | 1 | – |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-05-29 | TornadoWeatherby, DeKalb County Large F4 tornado touched down 2 miles south of Weatherby and moved east northeast. The tornado killed 3 persons near Weatherby. The 80 and 60 year old fatalities occurred in a destroyed frame house. Two mobile homes were destroyed with one having the 54 year old fatality. The tornado crossed into Daviess county 4 ... | F4 4 mi x 800 yd | 3 | 6 | $469K |
| 2019-12-17 | Winter WeatherDeKalb County · forecast zone De Kalb A fatality accident occurred on a snowy roadway a couple days after a large winter storm impacted the region. In this case a vehicle ran out of control into oncoming traffic, striking another vehicle in a semi-head on collision. The occupant of the out of control vehicle passed away and another occupant was seriously ... | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 1965-04-10 | TornadoDeKalb County | F2 9.6 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 7 | $250K step |
| 2014-04-13 | Thunderstorm WindOsborn, DeKalb County Damaged roof blew into an apartment complex, breaking the window and injuring 2 people. A power pole was reported down and there were power outages from broken tree limbs. | 60 kt wind | 0 | 2 | – |
| 2017-01-17 | Freezing FogDeKalb County · forecast zone De Kalb A 39 year old male suffered serious injuries when his vehicle went into a ditch and overturned around 8 am January 18. | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-04-10 | HailDeKalb County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $484K |
| 2004-05-29 | TornadoWeatherby, DeKalb County | F4 4 mi x 800 yd | 3 | 6 | $469K |
| 2007-12-10 | Ice StormDeKalb County · forecast zone De Kalb | 0 | 0 | $356K | |
| 2006-04-15 | TornadoStewartsville, DeKalb County | F2 13 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $110K |
| 2004-05-29 | TornadoOsborn, DeKalb County | F1 1 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $16K |
| 2004-05-24 | HailMaysville, DeKalb County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $16K |
| 2021-05-20 | TornadoOsborn, DeKalb County | EF0 0.88 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
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 $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: April 10, 1965 (tornado, DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 62 | 36 | 14 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 1 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 22 | 33 | 9 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 5 | 17 | 25 | 3 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 1 | 7 | 11 | 2 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 1 | 17 | 1 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
50% of its hail reports since 1955 fell in April and May. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 19 · Feb 24 · Mar 17 · Apr 55 · May 60 · Jun 68 · Jul 43 · Aug 20 · Sep 27 · Oct 4 · Nov 7 · Dec 19 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for DeKalb County
FEMA's register lists 22 declarations that include DeKalb County: 16 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (10) and severe ice storm (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-26 | DR-4490 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3482 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
| 2002-05-06 | DR-1412 | 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 |
| 1995-06-02 | DR-1054 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Hail, Flooding |
| 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 |
| 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 DeKalb County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 21 flood or flash flood records for DeKalb County from 1996 to 2021, on 16 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), DeKalb County ranks 2523rd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $99,000 on 6 claims filed in DeKalb County; the most in one year was 2 in 1993. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1993: 2 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 1 · 2007: 1 · 2011: 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 DeKalb County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates DeKalb County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $7.7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $602K | 22 modeled event-days a year |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.9M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $314K | 6.4 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $331K | 9.9 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $866K | 3.8 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $37K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $340K | 4.7 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Very Low | $1K | once in about 9 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with DeKalb 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 DeKalb CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download DeKalb County's FEMA declarations (CSV)22 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis