Gosper County, Nebraska
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 31073 · population 1,893 · 458 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 496 records for Gosper County, Nebraska from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 383 days; the most frequent are hail reports (158 records). The deadliest single record is the April 7, 2022 wildfire, filed for the forecast zone Gosper, which covers the county: 1 death and 2 injuries. FEMA has issued 14 declarations naming the county since 1967, 12 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding” on March 21, 2019.
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
- 496on 383 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 17 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $132Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 18strongest F1
- FEMA declarations
- 14latest 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 Gosper County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 158 since 1956. 64% of its hail reports since 1956 fell in May and June. The rank column places the county among Nebraska'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 | 158 | 107 | 1956-2024 | 0 | 0 | $38M | 25 of 93 |
| Winter storms | 115 | 113 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $2.6M | 6 of 93 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 84 | 64 | 1961-2024 | 0 | 0 | $20M | 46 of 93 |
| Drought | 51 | 51 | 2000-2026 | 0 | 0 | $63M | 4 of 93 |
| High wind and dust storms | 39 | 37 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | 14 of 93 |
| Tornadoes | 18 | 14 | 1971-2010 | 0 | 5 | $3.2M | 64 of 93 |
| Extreme cold | 12 | 12 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $36K | 41 of 93 |
| Floods | 8 | 7 | 1996-2019 | 0 | 0 | $3.0M | 62 of 93 |
| Heavy rain | 4 | 4 | 2007-2017 | 0 | 0 | – | 26 of 93 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 3 | 1 | 2004-2004 | 0 | 0 | – | 67 of 93 |
| Heat | 2 | 2 | 2011-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 40 of 93 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 1996-1996 | 0 | 0 | $941K | 49 of 93 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2022-2022 | 1 | 2 | – | 20 of 93 |
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 Gosper County had?
NOAA records 18 tornadoes in Gosper County from 1971 to 2010, the strongest rated F1, with 0 deaths and 5 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 19 tornadoes whose track touched Gosper County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 18: 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.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956-10-29 19:30, as SPC files it | Kearney | F3 | 65.5 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Nebraska.
Every tornado record filed for Gosper County (18)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-06-11 | Elwood, Gosper County | EF0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-06-04 | Smithfield, Gosper County | EF0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-05-29 | Smithfield, Gosper County | EF0 2.18 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-05-29 | Elwood, Gosper County | EF0 6.11 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2000-07-20 | Elwood, Gosper County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1999-09-11 | Elwood, Gosper County | F0 1.5 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1999-05-02 | Elwood, Gosper County | F1 4.5 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $133K |
| 1998-06-13 | Elwood, Gosper County | F1 7 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 4 | $1.4M |
| 1991-05-16 | Gosper County | F0 0.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1991-05-16 | Gosper County | F0 0.5 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1991-05-16 | Gosper County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1990-06-15 | Gosper County | F0 0.7 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1990-06-15 | Gosper County | F0 0.7 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1985-09-04 | Gosper County | F1 0.2 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1975-06-19 | Gosper County | F0 14.8 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1975-04-22 | Gosper County | F1 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1972-05-22 | Gosper County | F1 1 mi x 220 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1971-05-30 | Gosper County | F0 | 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.
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 Gosper County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 24, 2024 thunderstorm wind.
Wind gusts were estimated to be as high as 75 MPH. These winds resulted in blowing dust and reductions in visibility down to one-quarter of a mile at times. Tree damage was reported at their home.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1180573)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-15 | High WindGosper County · forecast zone Gosper | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-03 | DroughtGosper County · forecast zone Gosper | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-14 | Dust StormGosper County · forecast zone Gosper | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-14 | High WindGosper County · forecast zone Gosper | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-13 | DroughtGosper County · forecast zone Gosper | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-03-19 | BlizzardGosper County · forecast zone Gosper | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-03-18 | High WindGosper County · forecast zone Gosper | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-03-04 | High WindGosper County · forecast zone Gosper | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-17 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillGosper County · forecast zone Gosper | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-17 | Winter WeatherGosper County · forecast zone Gosper | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-14 | Winter WeatherGosper County · forecast zone Gosper | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-11 | Winter WeatherGosper County · forecast zone Gosper | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-04-07 | WildfireGosper County · forecast zone Gosper A large and historic wildfire tore across parts of Gosper and Furnas counties on this Thursday afternoon-evening, remaining in the regional news headlines for several days while being gradually contained. Fueled by a nasty combination of extreme dryness and severe north-northwest winds frequently gusting 50-60+ MPH, ... | 1 | 2 | – | |
| 1998-06-13 | TornadoElwood, Gosper County A warm front lifting north and a strong jet stream played a key role in the eruption of severe thunderstorms in the late afternoon in south-central Nebraska. Large hail, damaging thunderstorm winds and two tornadic thunderstorms caused millions of dollars in damage.The first tornadic thunderstorm occurred in northern ... | F1 7 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 4 | $1.4M |
| 1971-05-30 | TornadoGosper County | F0 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-06-30 | HailSmithfield, Gosper County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $5.0M |
| 2005-08-17 | Thunderstorm WindJohnson Res, Gosper County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $4.2M |
| 2013-06-23 | Thunderstorm WindElwood, Gosper County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3.8M |
| 2000-06-29 | HailElwood, Gosper County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3.6M |
| 2004-07-05 | HailElwood, Gosper County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3.2M |
| 2007-09-06 | HailElwood, Gosper County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3.1M |
| 2005-07-04 | HailElwood, Gosper County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3.0M |
| 2012-06-13 | HailElwood, Gosper County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $2.7M |
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 22, 1975 (tornado, Gosper 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 Gosper 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 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 23 | 47 | 41 | 24 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 16 | 26 | 44 | 29 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 18 | 26 | 11 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 2 | 25 | 24 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 3 | 7 | 12 | 17 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
64% of its hail reports since 1956 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 31 · Feb 36 · Mar 36 · Apr 41 · May 87 · Jun 98 · Jul 36 · Aug 41 · Sep 18 · Oct 16 · Nov 17 · Dec 39 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Gosper County
FEMA's register lists 14 declarations that include Gosper County: 12 major disasters, 2 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (6) and flood (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-04 | DR-4521 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3483 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-03-21 | DR-4420 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2018-06-29 | DR-4375 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2017-06-26 | DR-4321 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2010-02-25 | DR-1878 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| 2008-06-20 | DR-1770 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2007-01-07 | DR-1674 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 2006-01-26 | DR-1627 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3245 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuees |
| 1997-11-01 | DR-1190 | Severe Storm | Severe Snow Storms, Rain, and Strong Winds |
| 1994-05-09 | DR-1027 | Snowstorm | Severe Snow and Ice Storm |
| 1993-07-19 | DR-998 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1967-07-18 | DR-228 | 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.
FEMA's modeled risk for Gosper County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Gosper County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $6.2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $2.6M | 7 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $1.7M | 53 modeled event-days a year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $771K | 3.5 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $59K | 14 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | $27K | once in about 8 years (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $11K | once in about 3,248 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Very Low | $315K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Very Low | $61K | 43 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Gosper 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 NebraskaEvery Nebraska tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Hail in NebraskaThe state's hail reports, by county, year and month
- The Nebraska recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Gosper CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Gosper County's FEMA declarations (CSV)14 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis