Jennings County, Indiana
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 18079 · population 27,585 · 377 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 238 records for Jennings County, Indiana from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 199 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (92 records). The most damaging was the December 22, 2004 heavy snow ($1.6 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 18 declarations naming the county since 1968, 16 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding” on August 15, 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
- 238on 199 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 012 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $5.5Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 13strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 18latest 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 Jennings County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 92 since 1960. 43% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1960 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Indiana'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 | 92 | 81 | 1960-2026 | 0 | 4 | $705K | 82 of 91 |
| Floods | 42 | 40 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | 48 of 91 |
| Hail | 41 | 32 | 1956-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 79 of 91 |
| Winter storms | 28 | 28 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.6M | 85 of 91 |
| Tornadoes | 13 | 11 | 1967-2019 | 0 | 6 | $1.8M | 80 of 91 |
| Drought | 9 | 9 | 2010-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 29 of 91 |
| Extreme cold | 3 | 3 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 81 of 91 |
| High wind and dust storms | 3 | 3 | 1997-2012 | 0 | 0 | $158K | 90 of 91 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 3 | 3 | 1996-2010 | 0 | 0 | – | 10 of 91 |
| Heat | 2 | 2 | 1997-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 43 of 91 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 2004-2024 | 0 | 2 | $79K | 48 of 91 |
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 Jennings County had?
NOAA records 13 tornadoes in Jennings County from 1967 to 2019, the strongest rated F3, with 0 deaths and 6 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 17 tornadoes whose track touched Jennings County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 13: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person, 0 of them in Jennings County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974-04-03 13:30, as SPC files it | Jonesville | F3 | 35.8 mi | 1 |
| 1999-04-09 01:56, as SPC files it | Dupont | F3 | 3 mi | 0 |
| 1963-04-19 17:00, as SPC files it | Salem to North Vernon | F3 | 85.3 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Indiana.
Every tornado record filed for Jennings County (13)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-04-25 | Lovett, Jennings County | EF1 0.33 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $58K |
| 2019-04-25 | Zenas, Jennings County | EF1 0.05 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2011-09-25 | Hayden, Jennings County | EF1 0.48 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $88K |
| 2007-05-15 | North Vernon, Jennings County | EF0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $142K |
| 2006-08-14 | San Jacinto, Jennings County | F0 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2005-06-12 | North Vernon, Jennings County | F1 5.3 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $151K |
| 1999-04-09 | San Jacinto, Jennings County | F3 1 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $443K |
| 1990-06-02 | Jennings County | F2 18 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1990-06-02 | Jennings County | F1 6 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1979-08-01 | Jennings County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1978-05-23 | Jennings County | F1 0.5 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1974-04-03 | Jennings County | F3 1.3 mi x 177 yd | 0 | 5 | – |
| 1967-04-21 | Jennings County | F2 3.3 mi x 33 yd | 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 Jennings County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 17, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($50,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-17 | Thunderstorm WindBrewersville, Jennings County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $50K |
| 2026-03-04 | Flash FloodZenas, Jennings County | 0 | 0 | $150K | |
| 2026-01-24 | Heavy SnowJennings County · forecast zone Jennings | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-14 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillJennings County · forecast zone Jennings | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-16 | HailNorth Vernon, Jennings County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-04-29 | HailHayden, Jennings County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-04-02 | Thunderstorm WindNorth Vernon, Jennings County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-03-30 | HailHayden, Jennings County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-03-19 | HailScipio, Jennings County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-01-05 | Winter StormJennings County · forecast zone Jennings | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-08-02 | LightningQueensville, Jennings County | 0 | 2 | $941 | |
| 2019-04-25 | TornadoLovett, Jennings County | EF1 0.33 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $58K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974-04-03 | TornadoJennings County | F3 1.3 mi x 177 yd | 0 | 5 | – |
| 1999-04-09 | Thunderstorm WindParis Crossing, Jennings County Wind gusts estimated at between 100 and 120 miles an hour rolled a mobile home, leveled 2 barns and damaged a roof off a home. A family of 3 all received minor injuries as their mobile home was rolled. The injuries were all lacerations. A National Weather Service survey ruled downburst winds the culprit. | 0 | 3 | $89K | |
| 2024-08-02 | LightningQueensville, Jennings County Two persons inside the tent, an 18-year-old male and a juvenile female who was 9 months pregnant, were both injured. Both victims were treated for their injuries, and were in stable yet serious condition as of the evening of August 3rd; the baby was reported unharmed. | 0 | 2 | $941 | |
| 2008-01-29 | Thunderstorm WindScipio, Jennings County A man suffered cuts and scratches when his trailer was damaged by thunderstorm winds. The man was not seriously injured. | 60 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $27K |
| 1967-04-21 | TornadoJennings County | F2 3.3 mi x 33 yd | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-12-22 | Heavy SnowJennings County · forecast zone Jennings | 0 | 0 | $1.6M | |
| 2008-06-04 | FloodVernon, Jennings County | 0 | 0 | $685K | |
| 1999-04-09 | TornadoSan Jacinto, Jennings County | F3 1 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $443K |
| 2005-06-12 | TornadoNorth Vernon, Jennings County | F1 5.3 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $151K |
| 2026-03-04 | Flash FloodZenas, Jennings County | 0 | 0 | $150K | |
| 2007-05-15 | TornadoNorth Vernon, Jennings County | EF0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $142K |
| 1999-04-09 | Thunderstorm WindParis Crossing, Jennings County | 0 | 3 | $89K | |
| 2011-09-25 | TornadoHayden, Jennings County | EF1 0.48 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $88K |
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: June 2, 1990 (tornado, Jennings 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 Jennings 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 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 19 | 33 | 15 | 11 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 11 | 21 | 7 | 3 |
| Hail | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 9 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 9 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
43% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1960 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 20 · Feb 14 · Mar 13 · Apr 31 · May 21 · Jun 44 · Jul 41 · Aug 15 · Sep 13 · Oct 6 · Nov 6 · Dec 14 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Jennings County
FEMA's register lists 18 declarations that include Jennings County: 12 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (7) and flood (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-15 | EM-3651 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3641 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2020-04-03 | DR-4515 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3456 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2011-06-23 | DR-1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| 2009-03-05 | DR-1828 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2008-09-23 | DR-1795 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2008-06-08 | DR-1766 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3238 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-01-21 | DR-1573 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-01-11 | EM-3197 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2004-06-03 | DR-1520 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 1996-04-02 | DR-1109 | Flood | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1991-01-05 | DR-891 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1990-06-04 | DR-869 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1977-02-02 | EM-3028 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
| 1974-04-04 | DR-423 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
| 1968-07-30 | DR-247 | Flood | 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 Jennings County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 42 flood or flash flood records for Jennings County from 1996 to 2026, on 40 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Jennings County ranks 2358th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $102,000 on 10 claims filed in Jennings County; the most in one year was 3 in 2009. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 1 · 1982: 1 · 1997: 1 · 2002: 1 · 2009: 3 · 2011: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2026: 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 Jennings County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Jennings County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $9.8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $2.2M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $641K | 5 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $12K | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $523K | once in about 428 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $106K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $149K | 4.2 modeled event-days a year |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $185K | 50 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $5.3M | 1.4 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 Jennings 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 IndianaEvery Indiana tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in IndianaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Indiana recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Jennings CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Jennings County's FEMA declarations (CSV)18 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis