Dunn County, Wisconsin
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 55033 · population 45,411 · 850 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 504 records for Dunn County, Wisconsin from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 333 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (169 records). The deadliest single record is the June 4, 1958 tornado: 20 deaths and 54 injuries. FEMA has issued 13 declarations naming the county since 1965, 11 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Katrina Evacuation” on September 13, 2005.
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
- 504on 333 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 2586 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $551Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 24strongest F5
- FEMA declarations
- 13latest 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 Dunn County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 169 since 1959. 54% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1959 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Wisconsin'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 | 169 | 105 | 1959-2026 | 1 | 7 | $8.1M | 47 of 72 |
| Hail | 132 | 77 | 1961-2025 | 0 | 0 | $231K | 43 of 72 |
| Winter storms | 118 | 118 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 1 | $62K | 42 of 72 |
| Tornadoes | 24 | 21 | 1951-2022 | 21 | 77 | $542M | 40 of 72 |
| Floods | 17 | 16 | 1997-2020 | 0 | 0 | $435K | 47 of 72 |
| Extreme cold | 15 | 15 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 61 of 72 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 9 | 8 | 1997-2010 | 0 | 0 | – | 50 of 72 |
| Heat | 8 | 8 | 1999-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 49 of 72 |
| High wind and dust storms | 6 | 6 | 2004-2021 | 0 | 0 | $431 | 54 of 72 |
| Lightning | 4 | 4 | 2001-2021 | 1 | 1 | $273K | 47 of 72 |
| Heavy rain | 2 | 2 | 2010-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 52 of 72 |
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 Dunn County had?
NOAA records 24 tornadoes in Dunn County from 1951 to 2022, the strongest rated F5, with 21 deaths and 77 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 23 tornadoes whose track touched Dunn County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 24: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 23 people, 21 of them in Dunn County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958-06-04 17:30, as SPC files it | Menomonie | F5 | 33.7 mi | 21 |
| 1980-07-15 20:45, as SPC files it | Glenwood to Downing | F2 | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| 1971-07-18 15:35, as SPC files it | Eau Claire | F2 | 38.5 mi | 1 |
| 2019-09-24 17:45, as SPC files it | Elk Mound | EF3 | 6.97 mi | 0 |
| 1951-09-12 11:30, as SPC files it | Downsville | F3 | 24.4 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Wisconsin.
Every tornado record filed for Dunn County (24)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-05-09 | Rusk, Dunn County | EF1 9.3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2022-05-09 | Knapp, Dunn County | EF0 0.73 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2020-07-21 | Wheeler, Dunn County | EF0 0.09 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-09-24 | Elk Mound, Dunn County | EF0 2.25 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $289K |
| 2015-07-18 | Eau Galle, Dunn County | EF1 5.25 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2015-06-17 | Boyceville, Dunn County | EF0 0.21 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2014-06-27 | Rusk, Dunn County | EF1 7.02 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.5M |
| 2010-07-14 | Downing Jct, Dunn County | EF0 0.59 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-05-25 | Graytown, Dunn County | EF0 3.51 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $274K |
| 1998-05-30 | Menomonie, Dunn County | F2 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 8 | $724K |
| 1998-05-15 | Meridean, Dunn County | F1 18 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 1 | $3.4M |
| 1997-07-05 | Wheeler, Dunn County | F1 5 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1997-06-24 | Menomonie, Dunn County | F1 0.1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $40K |
| 1997-06-15 | Downsville, Dunn County | F2 1 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $368K |
| 1994-04-26 | Ridgeland To, Dunn County | F1 4 mi x 1,200 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.0M |
| 1982-09-12 | Dunn County | F2 0.5 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1982-09-12 | Dunn County | F1 0.5 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1980-07-15 | Dunn County | F2 | 1 | 12 | $2.5M step |
| 1971-09-28 | Dunn County | F2 5.2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | $25K step |
| 1971-07-18 | Dunn County | F2 34 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1970-04-29 | Dunn County | F1 9.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1958-06-04 | Dunn County | F5 13.7 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $25M step |
| 1958-06-04 | Dunn County | F5 11.4 mi x 880 yd | 20 | 54 | $25M step |
| 1951-09-12 | Dunn County | F3 21.1 mi x 200 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 Dunn County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the August 24, 2021 lightning (1 death and 1 injury).
Lightning struck two construction workers. One died and the other was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 971731)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-19 | Thunderstorm WindBoyceville, Dunn County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindMenomonie, Dunn County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-02 | Ice StormDunn County · forecast zone Dunn | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-14 | Winter StormDunn County · forecast zone Dunn | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-24 | Winter WeatherDunn County · forecast zone Dunn | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-18 | Winter WeatherDunn County · forecast zone Dunn | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-22 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillDunn County · forecast zone Dunn | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-06 | Winter WeatherDunn County · forecast zone Dunn | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-04 | Winter WeatherDunn County · forecast zone Dunn | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-28 | Winter StormDunn County · forecast zone Dunn | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-25 | Winter WeatherDunn County · forecast zone Dunn | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-22 | Winter WeatherDunn County · forecast zone Dunn | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958-06-04 | TornadoDunn County | F5 11.4 mi x 880 yd | 20 | 54 | $25M step |
| 1980-07-15 | TornadoDunn County | F2 | 1 | 12 | $2.5M step |
| 2021-08-24 | LightningMenomonie, Dunn County Lightning struck two construction workers. One died and the other was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2013-01-27 | Winter StormDunn County · forecast zone Dunn Several observers reported two to four inches of snow, mainly in the far northern part of the county, by the time the storm tapered off early Sunday evening, but a mixture of sleet and freezing rain did occur during the onset early Sunday afternoon. Dunn County authorities say slippery roads in western Wisconsin were ... | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2012-05-03 | Thunderstorm WindBoyceville, Dunn County Local law enforcement officials indicated that a large tree limb broke off and fell on an individual and caused a fatality. | 52 kt wind | 1 | 0 | – |
| 1996-01-26 | BlizzardDunn County · forecast zone Dunn Strong winds and heavy snow reduced the visibility to less than one quarter mile at times. Many roads reported impassable in Eau Claire and Dunn counties. Eau Claire received 9 inches of snow, Menomonie 8 inches and Barron 6 inches. An Elk Mound woman died of exposure about 50 yards from her home after her car became ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1998-05-30 | TornadoMenomonie, Dunn County Two people severely injured during house collapse. Two homes destroyed. Several barns and sheds were also demolished. 6 people suffered minor injuries. One mobile home destroyed. | F2 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 8 | $724K |
| 1990-06-12 | Thunderstorm WindDunn County | 0 | 3 | – |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-05-19 | Thunderstorm WindConnorsville, Dunn County | 0 | 0 | $4.1M | |
| 1998-05-15 | TornadoMeridean, Dunn County | F1 18 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 1 | $3.4M |
| 2014-06-27 | TornadoRusk, Dunn County | EF1 7.02 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.5M |
| 2002-06-25 | Thunderstorm WindMenomonie, Dunn County | 58 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1.4M |
| 2001-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindEau Galle, Dunn County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $833K |
| 1998-05-30 | TornadoMenomonie, Dunn County | F2 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 8 | $724K |
| 1997-06-15 | TornadoDownsville, Dunn County | F2 1 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $368K |
| 2009-08-14 | Flash FloodEau Galle, Dunn County | 0 | 0 | $344K |
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 $25M, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 4, 1958 (tornado, Dunn County, 20 killed); June 4, 1958 (tornado, Dunn 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 Dunn 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 | 5 | 17 | 34 | 39 | 43 | 28 |
| Hail | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 59 | 41 | 13 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 16 | 32 | 35 | 35 |
| Tornadoes | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 1 | 8 | 7 | 1 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
54% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1959 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 34 · Feb 34 · Mar 27 · Apr 35 · May 74 · Jun 74 · Jul 99 · Aug 63 · Sep 19 · Oct 11 · Nov 9 · Dec 25 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Dunn County
FEMA's register lists 13 declarations that include Dunn County: 10 major disasters, 3 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (4) and severe storm (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-04 | DR-4520 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3454 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3249 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2002-09-10 | DR-1432 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 2002-07-19 | DR-1429 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2001-05-11 | DR-1369 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 1998-07-24 | DR-1236 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms,Straigh Line Winds, Tornadoes,Rain,and Floodi |
| 1993-07-02 | DR-994 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1980-07-24 | DR-626 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1976-06-17 | EM-3014 | Drought | Drought |
| 1973-04-27 | DR-376 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1969-05-01 | DR-260 | Flood | Flooding |
| 1965-04-21 | DR-192 | Tornado | Tornadoes, 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 Dunn County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 17 flood or flash flood records for Dunn County from 1997 to 2020, on 16 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Dunn County ranks 2400th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $53,000 on 9 claims filed in Dunn County; the most in one year was 2 in 2014. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1986: 1 · 1991: 1 · 1993: 1 · 2001: 1 · 2004: 1 · 2011: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2020: 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 Dunn County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Dunn County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $22.2 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 | $1.9M | 3.2 a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $1.2M | 4.2 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $4.8M | 8.8 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $3.4M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $563K | 35 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $37K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $662K | 2.9 modeled event-days a year |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $9.6M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Dunn 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 WisconsinEvery Wisconsin tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in WisconsinThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Wisconsin recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Dunn CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Dunn County's FEMA declarations (CSV)13 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis