LaGrange County, Indiana
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 18087 · population 40,441 · 380 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 329 records for LaGrange County, Indiana from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 251 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (151 records). The deadliest day on its record was April 11, 1965: tornado records filed for LaGrange County that day count 10 deaths across 2 records. FEMA has issued 12 declarations naming the county since 1965, 10 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on January 24, 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
- 329on 251 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 14121 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $62Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 16strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 12latest 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 LaGrange County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 151 since 1957. 52% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 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 | 151 | 96 | 1957-2026 | 1 | 5 | $5.4M | 68 of 91 |
| Winter storms | 101 | 99 | 1996-2026 | 3 | 1 | $44K | 17 of 91 |
| Hail | 38 | 32 | 1975-2026 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 80 of 91 |
| Tornadoes | 16 | 11 | 1956-2026 | 10 | 114 | $56M | 82 of 91 |
| High wind and dust storms | 13 | 12 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 1 | $41K | 38 of 91 |
| Extreme cold | 5 | 5 | 2014-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 57 of 91 |
| Floods | 4 | 4 | 1997-2018 | 0 | 0 | $788K | 90 of 91 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2005-2005 | 0 | 0 | $453K | 50 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 LaGrange County had?
NOAA records 16 tornadoes in LaGrange County from 1956 to 2026, the strongest rated F4, with 10 deaths and 114 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 14 tornadoes whose track touched LaGrange County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 16: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 46 people, 10 of them in LaGrange County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965-04-11 18:10, as SPC files it | Elkhart | F4 | 37 mi | 36 |
| 1965-04-11 17:40, as SPC files it | Shipshewana | F4 | 21.6 mi | 5 |
| 1974-04-03 17:50, as SPC files it | Angola | F3 | 36.2 mi | 5 |
| 1961-05-06 20:02, as SPC files it | Wolcottville to HamiltonCrossed IN, OH | F3 | 33.4 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Indiana.
Every tornado record filed for LaGrange County (16)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-11 | South Milford, LaGrange County | EF1 2.63 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-11 | Shipshewana Field Airport, LaGrange County | EF1 9.89 mi x 1,300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-09-24 | Valentine, LaGrange County | EF1 1.92 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 2 | $282K |
| 2014-07-01 | LaGrange County | EF1 0.93 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1997-05-18 | Stone Lake, LaGrange County | F0 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | $2.8M |
| 1997-05-18 | LaGrange County | F0 1 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $2.8M |
| 1980-04-08 | LaGrange County | F1 0.5 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1978-10-05 | LaGrange County | F1 1 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1976-03-12 | LaGrange County | F2 9.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 9 | $250K step |
| 1976-03-12 | LaGrange County | F2 10.1 mi x 127 yd | 0 | 8 | $25K step |
| 1974-04-03 | LaGrange County | F3 4.3 mi x 1,000 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1974-04-03 | LaGrange County | F1 8.8 mi x 350 yd | 0 | 5 | $25K step |
| 1965-04-11 | LaGrange County | F4 8.5 mi x 333 yd | 5 | 42 | – |
| 1965-04-11 | LaGrange County | F4 21.6 mi x 177 yd | 5 | 41 | $2.5M step |
| 1961-05-06 | LaGrange County | F3 11 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 5 | $2.5M step |
| 1956-04-03 | LaGrange County | F2 | 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 LaGrange County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 16, 2026 hail ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-16 | HailShipshewana, LaGrange County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindScott, LaGrange County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $10K |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindBrighton, LaGrange County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-06-11 | TornadoSouth Milford, LaGrange County | EF1 2.63 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-11 | TornadoShipshewana Field Airport, LaGrange County | EF1 9.89 mi x 1,300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-18 | Thunderstorm WindShipshewana Field Airport, LaGrange County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter WeatherLaGrange County · forecast zone Lagrange | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-18 | Winter WeatherLaGrange County · forecast zone Lagrange | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-14 | Winter WeatherLaGrange County · forecast zone Lagrange | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-29 | Winter WeatherLaGrange County · forecast zone Lagrange | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-19 | Winter WeatherLaGrange County · forecast zone Lagrange | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-29 | Winter StormLaGrange County · forecast zone Lagrange | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965-04-11 | TornadoLaGrange County | F4 8.5 mi x 333 yd | 5 | 42 | – |
| 1965-04-11 | TornadoLaGrange County | F4 21.6 mi x 177 yd | 5 | 41 | $2.5M step |
| 2021-02-04 | Winter WeatherLaGrange County · forecast zone Lagrange Snow moved into the area during the mid to late afternoon hours with 1 to 3 inches of snow across the county. A brief burst of heavy snow produced snowfall rates in excess of 1 inch per hour for a time and visibilities less than one quarter of a mile. Numerous slide offs were reported. Strong winds gusted to 35 to 45 ... | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2018-02-09 | Heavy SnowLaGrange County · forecast zone Lagrange A long duration moderate to heavy snow event produced between 6 and 11 inches of snow on February 9th, heaviest across northern portions of Lagrange County. There was a report of 7.9 inches of total snow accumulation in Lagrange. This created difficult travel, accidents, and numerous school closings across the region. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2016-12-15 | Winter WeatherLaGrange County · forecast zone Lagrange Numerous weather-related accidents were reported during the morning hours of December 15th on the Indiana Toll Road due to low visibilities and snow covered roads from lake effect snow showers. At exit 133 of the Toll Road all eastbound lanes were closed for several hours due to a deadly crash with a tractor trailer ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2014-07-01 | Thunderstorm WindStroh, LaGrange County Emergency management officials reported a six to eight foot diameter tree fell into a residence on Big Long Lake. A 64 year old male was crushed by the tree, killing him. | 65 kt wind | 1 | 0 | – |
| 1976-03-12 | TornadoLaGrange County | F2 9.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 9 | $250K step |
| 1976-03-12 | TornadoLaGrange County | F2 10.1 mi x 127 yd | 0 | 8 | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-05-18 | TornadoLaGrange County | F0 1 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $2.8M |
| 1997-05-18 | Thunderstorm WindShipshewana, LaGrange County | 0 | 0 | $2.8M | |
| 1993-04-15 | Thunderstorm WindWarsaw, LaGrange County | 0 | 0 | $1.0M | |
| 2006-07-12 | Flash FloodCountywide, LaGrange County | 0 | 0 | $586K | |
| 2005-01-12 | Dense FogLaGrange County · forecast zone Lagrange | 0 | 0 | $453K | |
| 2024-09-24 | TornadoValentine, LaGrange County | EF1 1.92 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 2 | $282K |
| 2004-07-21 | Thunderstorm WindLaGrange County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $23K |
| 2025-04-02 | Thunderstorm WindMongo, LaGrange County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $15K |
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: April 11, 1965 (tornado, LaGrange County, 5 killed); May 6, 1961 (tornado, LaGrange 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 LaGrange 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 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 19 | 40 | 49 | 25 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 2 | 20 | 54 | 25 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 15 | 9 | 4 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
52% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 41 · Feb 36 · Mar 16 · Apr 17 · May 33 · Jun 46 · Jul 54 · Aug 25 · Sep 14 · Oct 10 · Nov 9 · Dec 28 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for LaGrange County
FEMA's register lists 12 declarations that include LaGrange County: 4 major disasters, 8 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for snowstorm (5) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2014-04-22 | DR-4173 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2007-03-12 | EM-3274 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3238 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2001-01-24 | EM-3162 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 1999-01-15 | EM-3135 | Snowstorm | In-Winter Storm 12/23/98 |
| 1978-01-27 | EM-3056 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| 1977-02-02 | EM-3028 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
| 1974-04-04 | DR-423 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
| 1965-04-14 | DR-189 | Tornado | Tornadoes & Severe Storms |
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 LaGrange County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 4 flood or flash flood records for LaGrange County from 1997 to 2018, on 4 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), LaGrange County ranks 1710th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $627,000 on 45 claims filed in LaGrange County; the most in one year was 17 in 2018. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1982: 1 · 1993: 1 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 1 · 2006: 3 · 2007: 1 · 2008: 8 · 2009: 3 · 2011: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 17 · 2019: 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 LaGrange County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates LaGrange County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $12.6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | $1.2M | 5.1 a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $750K | 2.9 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $2.3M | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $398K | 1.9 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $1.2M | 3.2 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $177K | 39 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $6.1M | once in about 7 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $262K | once in about 872 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with LaGrange 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 LaGrange CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download LaGrange County's FEMA declarations (CSV)12 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis