Iosco County, Michigan
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 26069 · population 25,202 · 549 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 251 records for Iosco County, Michigan from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 186 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (74 records). The deadliest single record is the June 8, 1953 tornado: 4 deaths and 13 injuries. FEMA has issued 11 declarations naming the county since 1972, 8 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding” on June 30, 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
- 251on 186 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 420 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $17Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 14strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 11latest 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 Iosco County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 74 since 1969. 58% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1969 fell in July and August. The rank column places the county among Michigan'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 | 74 | 52 | 1969-2025 | 0 | 1 | $314K | 53 of 83 |
| Hail | 71 | 45 | 1977-2018 | 0 | 0 | – | 27 of 83 |
| Winter storms | 65 | 64 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $91K | 57 of 83 |
| Tornadoes | 14 | 13 | 1953-2014 | 4 | 13 | $15M | 31 of 83 |
| Extreme cold | 9 | 9 | 2007-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 35 of 83 |
| High wind and dust storms | 7 | 7 | 1998-2024 | 0 | 0 | $47K | 66 of 83 |
| Floods | 5 | 5 | 1998-2020 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 62 of 83 |
| Lightning | 3 | 3 | 2003-2011 | 0 | 6 | $23K | 21 of 83 |
| Heat | 2 | 2 | 2001-2018 | 0 | 0 | – | 40 of 83 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2007-2007 | 0 | 0 | $57K | 9 of 83 |
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 Iosco County had?
NOAA records 14 tornadoes in Iosco County from 1953 to 2014, the strongest rated F3, with 4 deaths and 13 injuries recorded in the county. That is 31st of 83 Michigan counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. 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 13 tornadoes whose track touched Iosco County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 14: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 4 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953-06-08 18:40, as SPC files it | Sand Lake | F2 | 16.6 mi | 4 |
| 1991-03-27 17:15, as SPC files it | Harrisville | F3 | 35 mi | 0 |
| 1991-03-27 17:20, as SPC files it | Unnamed | F3 | 21 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Michigan.
Every tornado record filed for Iosco County (14)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-06-17 | Hale, Iosco County | EF1 1.58 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $175K |
| 2011-08-07 | Alabaster Jct, Iosco County | EF0 0.18 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $98K |
| 1995-05-28 | Saint Clair, Iosco County | F1 0.6 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 1992-06-17 | Iosco County | F1 1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1991-03-27 | Iosco County | F3 4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1991-03-27 | Iosco County | F3 10 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1983-05-19 | Iosco County | F0 0.1 mi x 7 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1982-06-22 | Iosco County | F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1982-06-20 | Iosco County | F1 2 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1981-06-29 | Iosco County | F1 5.6 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1977-08-31 | Iosco County | F1 1.9 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1977-08-05 | Iosco County | F1 3.3 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1976-03-30 | Iosco County | F1 2.5 mi x 83 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1953-06-08 | Iosco County | F2 16.6 mi x 833 yd | 4 | 13 | $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 Iosco County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the May 18, 2020 flood ($1.4 million in damage in 2025 dollars).
Widespread areal flooding developed in central and southern Iosco County on the 18th. Many creeks and rivers rose out of their banks, including the Au Gres River system and Silver Creek and its tributaries. Many roads across the county were closed, including Meadow Road in Tawas City. Railroad tracks were also washed out in Tawas City. Townline Road in Tawas Township was washed out by Dead Creek. Flooding along the Lake Huron coastline was worsened by lakeshore flooding thanks to onshore winds.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 897167)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-15 | Winter StormIosco County · forecast zone Iosco | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-07 | Cold/Wind ChillIosco County · forecast zone Iosco | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-06 | Cold/Wind ChillIosco County · forecast zone Iosco | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-29 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillIosco County · forecast zone Iosco | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-28 | Cold/Wind ChillIosco County · forecast zone Iosco | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-22 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillIosco County · forecast zone Iosco | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-29 | Winter StormIosco County · forecast zone Iosco | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-24 | Thunderstorm WindEast Tawas, Iosco County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-12 | Winter StormIosco County · forecast zone Iosco | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-08 | Winter StormIosco County · forecast zone Iosco | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2020-05-18 | FloodAlabaster, Iosco County | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 2019-07-27 | Thunderstorm WindHale, Iosco County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $21K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953-06-08 | TornadoIosco County | F2 16.6 mi x 833 yd | 4 | 13 | $250K step |
| 2003-07-04 | LightningOscoda, Iosco County Lightning struck a large business sign mounted on a tall pole. The heavy plastic facing of the sign shattered and fell onto vehicles below. One car with four occupants had its windows shattered and tires blown out by the impact. The occupants were treated at the scene by an EMS crew for cuts and bruises. Other ... | 0 | 4 | $16K | |
| 2007-07-05 | LightningTawas City, Iosco County Two canoers, one male and one female, were struck by lightning while taking shelter under a tree during a thunderstorm. The woman was knocked unconscious, and both suffered significant burns. They were transported to a burn center in Flint to recover. | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2019-07-27 | Thunderstorm WindHale, Iosco County Multiple trees were downed. One tree was downed onto an occupied vehicle, injuring an occupant. | 55 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $21K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-05-18 | FloodAlabaster, Iosco County | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 2014-06-17 | TornadoHale, Iosco County | EF1 1.58 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $175K |
| 2011-08-07 | TornadoAlabaster Jct, Iosco County | EF0 0.18 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $98K |
| 2019-07-27 | Thunderstorm WindHale, Iosco County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $21K |
| 2003-07-04 | LightningOscoda, Iosco County | 0 | 4 | $16K | |
| 1995-05-28 | TornadoSaint Clair, Iosco County | F1 0.6 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $10K |
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: March 27, 1991 (tornado, Iosco County); March 27, 1991 (tornado, Iosco 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 Iosco 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 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 19 | 22 | 12 | 10 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 21 | 40 | 6 | 0 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 8 | 32 | 16 | 9 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
58% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1969 fell in July and August. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 22 · Feb 25 · Mar 13 · Apr 17 · May 32 · Jun 36 · Jul 46 · Aug 34 · Sep 4 · Oct 3 · Nov 6 · Dec 13 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Iosco County
FEMA's register lists 11 declarations that include Iosco County: 6 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (4) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-30 | DR-4925 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2020-07-09 | DR-4547 | Dam/Levee Break | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2020-03-27 | DR-4494 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3455 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2005-09-07 | EM-3225 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 1999-01-27 | EM-3137 | Snowstorm | Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 |
| 1985-09-18 | DR-744 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1978-01-27 | EM-3057 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| 1977-03-02 | EM-3035 | Drought | Drought |
| 1973-04-12 | DR-371 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1972-12-01 | DR-363 | 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 Iosco County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 5 flood or flash flood records for Iosco County from 1998 to 2020, on 5 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Iosco County ranks 1411th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $841,000 on 81 claims filed in Iosco County; the most in one year was 17 in 2020. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 1 · 1985: 5 · 1986: 11 · 1987: 8 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 6 · 2001: 1 · 2002: 1 · 2006: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 13 · 2020: 17 · 2021: 1 · 2026: 7; 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 Iosco County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Iosco County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $8.3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $183K | 13 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $1.4M | 2.2 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $298K | 27 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $415K | 1.5 a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $221K | 1.3 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $5.1M | once in about 6 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $521K | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $62K | once in about 2,385 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Iosco 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 MichiganEvery Michigan tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in MichiganThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Michigan recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Iosco CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Iosco County's FEMA declarations (CSV)11 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis