Jefferson County, Pennsylvania
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 42065 · population 44,472 · 652 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 775 records for Jefferson County, Pennsylvania from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 432 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (385 records). The deadliest single record is the July 11, 1976 tornado: 1 death and 7 injuries. FEMA has issued 14 declarations naming the county since 1972, 12 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding” on October 1, 2013.
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
- 775on 432 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 128 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $205Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 17strongest EF2
- 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 Jefferson County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 385 since 1955. 53% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 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 | 385 | 196 | 1955-2026 | 0 | 1 | $5.2M | 34 of 67 |
| Winter storms | 115 | 108 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 20 | $111K | 28 of 67 |
| Floods | 109 | 58 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $194M | 32 of 67 |
| Hail | 79 | 48 | 1966-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 28 of 67 |
| High wind and dust storms | 38 | 34 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | 23 of 67 |
| Extreme cold | 18 | 17 | 2009-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 17 of 67 |
| Tornadoes | 17 | 14 | 1968-2026 | 1 | 7 | $4.5M | 32 of 67 |
| Heavy rain | 9 | 6 | 2013-2019 | 0 | 0 | – | 14 of 67 |
| Lightning | 3 | 3 | 1996-1997 | 0 | 0 | $21K | 26 of 67 |
| Drought | 2 | 2 | 1999-1999 | 0 | 0 | – | 59 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 Jefferson County had?
NOAA records 17 tornadoes in Jefferson County from 1968 to 2026, the strongest rated EF2, with 1 death and 7 injuries recorded in the county. That is 32nd of 67 Pennsylvania 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 16 tornadoes whose track touched Jefferson County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 17: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 2 people, 1 of them in Jefferson County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976-07-11 13:00, as SPC files it | Brookville | F2 | 28.7 mi | 1 |
| 2021-10-16 06:08, as SPC files it | Unnamed | EF1 | 1.16 mi | 1 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Pennsylvania.
Every tornado record filed for Jefferson County (17)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-14 | Oliveburg, Jefferson County | EF2 3.76 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $95K |
| 2021-10-16 | Sigel, Jefferson County | EF1 0.58 mi x 260 yd | 0 | 0 | $980K |
| 2018-10-02 | Harlan, Jefferson County | EF2 4.09 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-10-02 | Roseville, Jefferson County | EF0 4.81 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-08-21 | Crenshaw, Jefferson County | EF1 1.33 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2014-08-21 | Knox Dale, Jefferson County | EF0 5.36 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $623 |
| 2014-08-21 | Knox Dale, Jefferson County | EF0 0.54 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $623 |
| 2005-06-15 | Brockway, Jefferson County | F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $227K |
| 1998-06-02 | Ringgold, Jefferson County | F1 1.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $453K |
| 1996-07-30 | Reynoldsville, Jefferson County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $9K |
| 1996-07-19 | Langville, Jefferson County | F2 2.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $56K |
| 1996-07-19 | Punxsutawney, Jefferson County | F0 2.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 1981-05-11 | Jefferson County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1978-06-07 | Jefferson County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1976-07-11 | Jefferson County | F2 28.7 mi x 33 yd | 1 | 7 | $250K step |
| 1970-08-30 | Jefferson County | F1 10.8 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1968-08-19 | Jefferson County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $3K 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 Jefferson County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 25, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-25 | Thunderstorm WindHamilton, Jefferson County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-06-14 | TornadoOliveburg, Jefferson County | EF2 3.76 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $95K |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindPunxsutawney, Jefferson County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindDelancey, Jefferson County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindHemlock, Jefferson County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindMunderf, Jefferson County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-03-22 | HailKnox Dale, Jefferson County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-17 | Winter WeatherJefferson County · forecast zone Jefferson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-17 | Winter WeatherJefferson County · forecast zone Jefferson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-13 | High WindJefferson County · forecast zone Jefferson | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-07 | Thunderstorm WindBrookville, Jefferson County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-03-07 | Thunderstorm WindBrookville, Jefferson County | 50 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976-07-11 | TornadoJefferson County | F2 28.7 mi x 33 yd | 1 | 7 | $250K step |
| 2012-01-02 | Winter WeatherJefferson County · forecast zone Jefferson Snow squalls contributed to a 20 car pile-up on Interstate 80 west of Dubois. 14 passenger vehicles and 6 tractor trailers were involved, with 17 injuries. | 0 | 17 | – | |
| 2016-12-15 | Winter WeatherJefferson County · forecast zone Jefferson A snow squall producing quick snow accumulation and very low visibility contributed to a 59 vehicle pileup on I-80 in Jefferson county. The accident occurred just after 8 AM, closing the east bound lanes. | 0 | 3 | – | |
| 2019-08-17 | Thunderstorm WindKahletown, Jefferson County County 911 officials stated that a tree fell on to a moving vehicle on Moore Bridge Road near Route 36. The driver was injured by shattered glass from the tree hitting the car. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $2K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-07-19 | Flash FloodPunxsutawney, Jefferson County | 0 | 0 | $188M | |
| 2013-06-27 | FloodRathmel, Jefferson County | 0 | 0 | $3.8M | |
| 2024-08-06 | Thunderstorm WindSigel, Jefferson County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1.9M |
| 2021-10-16 | TornadoSigel, Jefferson County | EF1 0.58 mi x 260 yd | 0 | 0 | $980K |
| 2004-09-17 | FloodJefferson County · forecast zone Jefferson | 0 | 0 | $747K | |
| 1998-06-02 | TornadoRinggold, Jefferson County | F1 1.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $453K |
| 2002-06-05 | Flash FloodSouth Portion, Jefferson County | 0 | 0 | $328K | |
| 2005-06-15 | TornadoBrockway, Jefferson County | F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $227K |
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: July 11, 1976 (tornado, Jefferson County, 1 killed); June 7, 1978 (tornado, Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 26 | 54 | 53 | 140 | 95 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 11 | 34 | 22 | 48 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 11 | 26 | 62 | 10 |
| Hail | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 16 | 33 | 13 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 3 | 17 | 10 | 8 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 0 | 2 | 9 | 7 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
53% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 67 · Feb 49 · Mar 43 · Apr 50 · May 65 · Jun 156 · Jul 134 · Aug 90 · Sep 30 · Oct 30 · Nov 21 · Dec 40 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Jefferson County
FEMA's register lists 14 declarations that include Jefferson County: 9 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (5) and hurricane (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-30 | DR-4506 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3441 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2013-10-01 | DR-4149 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 |
| 1996-07-26 | DR-1130 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 1996-01-21 | DR-1093 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1993-03-16 | EM-3105 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm |
| 1981-06-15 | DR-641 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-07-21 | DR-537 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-01-29 | EM-3026 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
| 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 Jefferson County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 109 flood or flash flood records for Jefferson County from 1996 to 2025, on 58 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Jefferson County ranks 635th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Depression Ivan | 2004-09-17 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $7.7 million on 373 claims filed in Jefferson County; the most in one year was 157 in 1996. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 7 · 1979: 4 · 1980: 16 · 1981: 4 · 1982: 1 · 1983: 5 · 1984: 5 · 1985: 1 · 1988: 1 · 1989: 11 · 1990: 4 · 1996: 157 · 1999: 2 · 2004: 92 · 2005: 1 · 2006: 1 · 2010: 2 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 48 · 2014: 3 · 2015: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2026: 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 Jefferson County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Jefferson County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $14.0 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 High | $717K | 38 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $150K | 16 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $11M | 2 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $11K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $404K | once in about 28 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $369K | 2.3 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $587K | 3.8 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $386K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Jefferson 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 Jefferson CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Jefferson County's FEMA declarations (CSV)14 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis