Elk County, Pennsylvania
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 42047 · population 30,973 · 827 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 352 records for Elk County, Pennsylvania from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 267 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (190 records). The most damaging was the June 21, 2021 thunderstorm wind ($2.2 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 10 declarations naming the county since 1972, 8 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Tropical Storm Debby” on September 11, 2024.
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
- 352on 267 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 037 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $28Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 16strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 10latest 2024
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 Elk County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 190 since 1968. 55% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1968 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Pennsylvania'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 | 190 | 128 | 1968-2026 | 0 | 0 | $2.8M | 62 of 67 |
| Winter storms | 65 | 65 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $8K | 63 of 67 |
| Extreme cold | 23 | 23 | 2004-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 15 of 67 |
| Hail | 23 | 18 | 1974-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 67 of 67 |
| Tornadoes | 16 | 13 | 1963-2025 | 0 | 21 | $24M | 46 of 67 |
| Floods | 15 | 13 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $271K | 67 of 67 |
| High wind and dust storms | 15 | 15 | 1998-2019 | 0 | 0 | $40K | 62 of 67 |
| Drought | 2 | 2 | 1997-1998 | 0 | 0 | – | 66 of 67 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 2005-2008 | 0 | 15 | $343K | 35 of 67 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2023-2023 | 0 | 1 | – | 15 of 67 |
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 Elk County had?
NOAA records 16 tornadoes in Elk County from 1963 to 2025, the strongest rated F4, with 0 deaths and 21 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 16 tornadoes whose track touched Elk County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 16, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 5 people, 0 of them in Elk County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985-05-31 18:00, as SPC files it | St. Marys | F4 | 29 mi | 4 |
| 2021-10-16 06:08, as SPC files it | Unnamed | EF1 | 1.16 mi | 1 |
| 1963-09-03 12:40, as SPC files it | St. Marys | F3 | 8.4 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Pennsylvania.
Every tornado record filed for Elk County (16)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-16 | Rathbun, Elk County | EF1 0.51 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $350K |
| 2021-10-16 | Hallton, Elk County | EF1 0.64 mi x 260 yd | 0 | 1 | $22K |
| 2021-05-04 | Byrnedale, Elk County | EF1 0.6 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-10-02 | Kylers Corners, Elk County | EF0 0.17 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-08-21 | Brockport, Elk County | EF1 1.06 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2017-05-01 | Hallton, Elk County | EF2 0.53 mi x 175 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-05-01 | Dahoga, Elk County | EF1 1.68 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-08-09 | Force, Elk County | EF1 0.25 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-07-26 | Ketner, Elk County | EF1 1.25 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $7K |
| 2001-08-19 | Highland Corners, Elk County | F1 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2001-06-20 | Brockport, Elk County | F1 3 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $17K |
| 1998-05-31 | Ridgway, Elk County | F0 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-05-31 | Johnsonburg, Elk County | F1 3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1985-05-31 | Elk County | F4 11.5 mi x 1,000 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1985-05-31 | Elk County | F2 10.5 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1963-09-03 | Elk County | F3 8.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 20 | $2.5M 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 Elk County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 6, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-11 | FloodDagus Mines, Elk County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-06 | Thunderstorm WindJames City, Elk County | 43 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-04-15 | Thunderstorm WindWeedville, Elk County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2026-02-07 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillElk County · forecast zone Elk | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Heavy SnowElk County · forecast zone Elk | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-11 | Winter WeatherElk County · forecast zone Elk | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-28 | Thunderstorm WindPortland Mills, Elk County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2025-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindHighland Corners, Elk County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-03-16 | TornadoRathbun, Elk County | EF1 0.51 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $350K |
| 2025-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindWeedville, Elk County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2025-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindKaulmont, Elk County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2025-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindDagus Mines, Elk County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963-09-03 | TornadoElk County | F3 8.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 20 | $2.5M step |
| 2005-08-13 | LightningSt Marys, Elk County Fifteen persons were injured from a lightning strike at the Elk County Fair in Kersey, about 5 miles south-southwest of St. Marys. About 7 were transported to the hospital for treatment. Most of the victims were trying to hold down a tent at the fairgrounds when the tent was struck. The charge traveled through the ... | 0 | 15 | – | |
| 2023-04-12 | WildfireElk County · forecast zone Elk A wildfire developed in Millstone Township, Elk County during the afternoon of April 12, 2023 and continued into April 15. The fire was entirely on Allegheny National Forest land, and over 400 acres burned. One firefighter was injured while fighting the fire. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2021-10-16 | TornadoHallton, Elk County An EF-1 tornado was confirmed to have occurred in in Millstone Township, western Elk County during the morning of October 16, 2021. The tornado touched down in Jefferson County, PA and crossed the Clarion River into western Elk County around 8:08am. Maximum estimated wind speeds of 90 mph knocked down and uprooted ... | EF1 0.64 mi x 260 yd | 0 | 1 | $22K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-06-21 | Thunderstorm WindDeyoung, Elk County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2.2M |
| 2025-03-16 | TornadoRathbun, Elk County | EF1 0.51 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $350K |
| 2008-05-18 | LightningRidgway, Elk County | 0 | 0 | $343K | |
| 2021-10-16 | TornadoHallton, Elk County | EF1 0.64 mi x 260 yd | 0 | 1 | $22K |
| 2001-06-20 | TornadoBrockport, Elk County | F1 3 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $17K |
| 2026-04-15 | Thunderstorm WindWeedville, Elk County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2018-05-15 | Thunderstorm WindDents Run, Elk County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $9K |
| 2009-07-26 | TornadoKetner, Elk County | EF1 1.25 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $7K |
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: September 3, 1963 (tornado, Elk 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 Elk 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 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 40 | 32 | 69 | 36 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 11 | 33 | 11 | 10 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 0 | 11 | 9 | 3 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 3 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 6 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
55% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1968 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 38 · Feb 25 · Mar 19 · Apr 15 · May 39 · Jun 57 · Jul 63 · Aug 35 · Sep 12 · Oct 15 · Nov 9 · Dec 25 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Elk County
FEMA's register lists 10 declarations that include Elk County: 6 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (3) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-11 | DR-4815 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 2020-03-30 | DR-4506 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3441 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2012-10-29 | EM-3356 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3235 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| 2004-09-19 | DR-1555 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression Frances |
| 2004-09-19 | DR-1557 | Hurricane | Tropical Depression Ivan |
| 1996-01-21 | DR-1093 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1993-03-16 | EM-3105 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm |
| 1972-06-23 | DR-340 | Flood | Tropical Storm Agnes |
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 Elk County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 15 flood or flash flood records for Elk County from 1996 to 2026, on 13 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Elk County ranks 710th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $8.3 million on 322 claims filed in Elk County; the most in one year was 79 in 2014. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 5 · 1979: 2 · 1981: 18 · 1982: 2 · 1983: 1 · 1984: 4 · 1985: 2 · 1989: 44 · 1992: 1 · 1994: 5 · 1995: 2 · 1996: 54 · 2001: 1 · 2003: 4 · 2004: 22 · 2006: 1 · 2007: 1 · 2008: 1 · 2010: 36 · 2013: 3 · 2014: 79 · 2015: 7 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 8 · 2021: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2026: 6; 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 Elk County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Elk County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $15.5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $747K | 35 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $129K | 19 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $7K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $13M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $333K | once in about 20 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $419K | 2 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $424K | 4 a year (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Very Low | $1K | once in about 100 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Elk 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 PennsylvaniaEvery Pennsylvania tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in PennsylvaniaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Pennsylvania recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Elk CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Elk County's FEMA declarations (CSV)10 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis