Dubois County, Indiana
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 18037 · population 43,629 · 427 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 553 records for Dubois County, Indiana from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 303 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (269 records). The deadliest single record is the December 23, 2008 winter weather, filed for the forecast zone Dubois, which covers the county: 2 deaths and $62,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1979, 14 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
- 553on 303 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 38 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $9.4Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 27strongest F3
- 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 Dubois County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 269 since 1956. 41% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1956 fell in May and June. 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 | 269 | 152 | 1956-2026 | 1 | 1 | $926K | 28 of 91 |
| Floods | 108 | 72 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 1 | $101K | 31 of 91 |
| Hail | 100 | 61 | 1961-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 36 of 91 |
| Winter storms | 34 | 34 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 0 | $562K | 82 of 91 |
| Tornadoes | 27 | 20 | 1954-2023 | 0 | 6 | $7.7M | 50 of 91 |
| High wind and dust storms | 6 | 5 | 2008-2023 | 0 | 0 | $74K | 82 of 91 |
| Extreme cold | 4 | 4 | 2016-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 79 of 91 |
| Lightning | 3 | 3 | 2000-2008 | 0 | 0 | $43K | 41 of 91 |
| Heavy rain | 2 | 2 | 2011-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 31 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 Dubois County had?
NOAA records 27 tornadoes in Dubois County from 1954 to 2023, the strongest rated F3, with 0 deaths and 6 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 28 tornadoes whose track touched Dubois County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 27: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person, 0 of them in Dubois County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-25 14:34, as SPC files it | Alfordsville | EF2 | 9.12 mi | 1 |
| 1967-10-24 15:45, as SPC files it | Unnamed | F3 | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Indiana.
Every tornado record filed for Dubois County (27)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-08-06 | Haysville, Dubois County | EF1 14.5 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-06-25 | Hillham, Dubois County | EF1 1.05 mi x 565 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-03-03 | Johnsburg, Dubois County | EF1 2.91 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-03-03 | Millersport, Dubois County | EF1 7.3 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-03-01 | Ireland, Dubois County | EF2 5.8 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $421K |
| 2012-01-17 | Holland, Dubois County | EF0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2012-01-17 | Huntingburg, Dubois County | EF1 8.76 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $26K |
| 2011-06-26 | Millersport, Dubois County | EF1 2.2 mi x 130 yd | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 2011-05-25 | Haysville, Dubois County | EF1 1.87 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $39K |
| 2011-05-25 | Huntingburg, Dubois County | EF2 1.93 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $131K |
| 2011-04-19 | Bretzville, Dubois County | EF2 3.26 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-04-19 | St Marks, Dubois County | EF1 0.38 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-04-19 | Haysville, Dubois County | EF0 1.93 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-04-19 | Ireland, Dubois County | EF1 3.09 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-04-19 | Huntingburg, Dubois County | EF0 0.3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-02-28 | Millersport, Dubois County | EF2 14.17 mi x 225 yd | 0 | 1 | $656K |
| 2007-10-18 | St Marks, Dubois County | EF1 1.94 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | $7K |
| 2006-05-10 | Huntingburg, Dubois County | F1 1.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $220K |
| 1999-05-17 | Birdseye, Dubois County | F0 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-05-28 | Huntingburg, Dubois County | F0 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1989-04-03 | Dubois County | F1 0.7 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1986-05-15 | Dubois County | F1 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1970-09-03 | Dubois County | F1 0.3 mi x 13 yd | 0 | 4 | $25K step |
| 1967-10-24 | Dubois County | F3 | 0 | 1 | $25K step |
| 1963-03-19 | Dubois County | F2 | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1961-03-06 | Dubois County | F1 7.2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1954-04-06 | Dubois County | F2 3.3 mi x 33 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 Dubois County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the April 2, 2024 thunderstorm wind (1 injury).
A large tree fell down west of Birdseye around the intersection of Schellville Road and 975. The tree fell on a vehicle, and the driver sustained a minor injury.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1175992)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-27 | Thunderstorm WindBirdseye, Dubois County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-27 | Thunderstorm WindSt Anthony, Dubois County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-27 | Flash FloodHuntingburg, Dubois County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-27 | Flash FloodCelestine, Dubois County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-26 | Thunderstorm WindKyana, Dubois County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-26 | Flash FloodCelestine, Dubois County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-26 | Flash FloodHuntingburg, Dubois County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-26 | Flash FloodMaltersville, Dubois County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-26 | Flash FloodSt Marks, Dubois County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-26 | Flash FloodHuntingburg, Dubois County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-21 | Thunderstorm WindCuzco, Dubois County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-21 | Thunderstorm WindHolland, Dubois County | 50 kt wind | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-12-23 | Winter WeatherDubois County · forecast zone Dubois Freezing rain caused several traffic accidents. Two fatalities resulted. | 2 | 0 | $62K | |
| 1995-07-23 | Thunderstorm WindHuntingburg, Dubois County A 10-year-old boy drowned in Huntingburg. The boy was watching a whirlpool of water entering a storm sewer after a thunderstorm had moved across the city. He tripped and fell headfirst into the storm sewer. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1970-09-03 | TornadoDubois County | F1 0.3 mi x 13 yd | 0 | 4 | $25K step |
| 2024-04-02 | Thunderstorm WindMentor, Dubois County A large tree fell down west of Birdseye around the intersection of Schellville Road and 975. The tree fell on a vehicle, and the driver sustained a minor injury. | 52 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2011-02-28 | TornadoMillersport, Dubois County An NWS storm survey confirmed that an EF-2 tornado with two segments touched down in Dubois county. The tornado first touched down just north of Duff east of County Road 650W. At touchdown straight-line wind damage was also observed to the south of the tornado. Damage to several large metal buildings, a large barn, ... | EF2 14.17 mi x 225 yd | 0 | 1 | $656K |
| 1999-01-22 | Flash FloodCountywide, Dubois County A large area of rain moved across South Central Indiana during the evening hours. This rain fell on top of already saturated ground from previous rains. The result was numerous roads becoming covered with water. Some state highways were closed due to the high water. Rescue attempts were made in Dubois and Washington ... | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 1967-10-24 | TornadoDubois County | F3 | 0 | 1 | $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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-02-28 | TornadoMillersport, Dubois County | EF2 14.17 mi x 225 yd | 0 | 1 | $656K |
| 2004-12-22 | Heavy SnowDubois County · forecast zone Dubois | 0 | 0 | $500K | |
| 2017-03-01 | TornadoIreland, Dubois County | EF2 5.8 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $421K |
| 2006-05-10 | TornadoHuntingburg, Dubois County | F1 1.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $220K |
| 2016-05-07 | Thunderstorm WindMillersport, Dubois County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $123K |
| 2005-04-22 | Thunderstorm WindFerdinand, Dubois County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $113K |
| 2006-03-09 | Thunderstorm WindHolland, Dubois County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $110K |
| 2005-11-15 | Thunderstorm WindCelestine, Dubois County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $76K |
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: March 6, 1961 (tornado, Dubois County); March 19, 1963 (tornado, Dubois County); April 3, 1989 (tornado, Dubois 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 Dubois 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 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 56 | 79 | 99 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 5 | 35 | 39 | 29 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 53 | 23 | 9 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 3 | 8 | 16 | 7 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
41% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1956 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 26 · Feb 34 · Mar 81 · Apr 88 · May 99 · Jun 82 · Jul 64 · Aug 25 · Sep 15 · Oct 15 · Nov 6 · Dec 18 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Dubois County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Dubois County: 12 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (9) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3641 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2020-04-03 | DR-4515 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3456 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2011-06-23 | DR-1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| 2009-03-05 | DR-1828 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2008-09-23 | DR-1795 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3238 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-01-21 | DR-1573 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-01-11 | EM-3197 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2004-09-01 | DR-1542 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 2004-06-03 | DR-1520 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2002-06-13 | DR-1418 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 1996-07-03 | DR-1125 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1996-04-02 | DR-1109 | Flood | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1990-06-04 | DR-869 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1979-07-31 | DR-596 | 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 Dubois County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 108 flood or flash flood records for Dubois County from 1996 to 2026, on 72 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Dubois County ranks 2155th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $381,000 on 17 claims filed in Dubois County; the most in one year was 5 in 2017. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 1 · 1980: 2 · 1984: 1 · 1989: 1 · 2011: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2024: 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 Dubois County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Dubois County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $22.7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | $1.9M | 5.2 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $170K | 8.9 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $175K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $3.9M | once in about 238 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $12M | 2.4 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $744K | 5.9 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $436K | 3.4 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $332K | 4.6 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Dubois 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 Dubois CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Dubois County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis