PlainHazard

Lawrence County, Indiana

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 18093 · population 44,976 · 449 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 428 records for Lawrence County, Indiana from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 300 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (158 records). The deadliest single record is the March 9, 2026 flood: 2 deaths and $20,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1974, 19 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
428on 300 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
463 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$217Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
27strongest F4
FEMA declarations
21latest 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 Lawrence County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 158 since 1964. 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.

Lawrence County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 158 123 1964-2026 0 0 $1.3M 60 of 91
Floods 96 81 1996-2026 3 0 $45M 29 of 91
Hail 80 54 1967-2026 0 0 – 51 of 91
Winter storms 37 35 1996-2026 0 4 $336K 84 of 91
Tornadoes 27 19 1955-2025 1 58 $169M 65 of 91
Drought 11 11 2010-2024 0 0 – 26 of 91
High wind and dust storms 5 5 1997-2024 0 0 $941 84 of 91
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 4 3 1996-2012 0 0 – 18 of 91
Heat 3 3 1997-2026 0 0 – 33 of 91
Lightning 3 3 1999-2009 0 1 $423K 43 of 91
Extreme cold 2 2 1996-2022 0 0 – 90 of 91
Heavy rain 2 2 2008-2013 0 0 – 32 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 Lawrence County had?

NOAA records 27 tornadoes in Lawrence County from 1955 to 2025, the strongest rated F4, with 1 death and 58 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 26 tornadoes whose track touched Lawrence County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 27: 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 Lawrence County.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Lawrence County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1990-06-02 17:50, as SPC files itBedfordF411 mi1
1974-04-03 13:30, as SPC files itJonesvilleF335.8 mi1
2011-05-25 17:58, as SPC files itUnnamedEF36.75 mi0
2009-03-08 13:37, as SPC files itOoliticEF31.06 mi0
1963-04-19 17:00, as SPC files itSalem to North VernonF385.3 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Indiana.

Every tornado record filed for Lawrence County (27)
Every tornado recorded in Lawrence County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2025-04-02 Holtonville, Lawrence County EF0 0.06 mi x 20 yd 0 0 $30K
2025-03-15 Avoca, Lawrence County EF0 0.97 mi x 25 yd 0 0 $70K
2025-03-15 Silverville, Lawrence County EF0 6.24 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $120K
2017-11-05 Springville, Lawrence County EF1 2.87 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $150K
2017-03-01 Bond, Lawrence County EF2 0.58 mi x 25 yd 0 0 $120K
2017-03-01 Mitchell, Lawrence County EF1 0.21 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $26K
2013-11-17 Bedford, Lawrence County EF1 1.27 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $89K
2011-05-25 Bond, Lawrence County EF1 1.67 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $20K
2011-05-25 Erie, Lawrence County EF3 6.75 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $197K
2009-03-08 Bedford, Lawrence County EF0 0.17 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $62K
2009-03-08 Fayetteville, Lawrence County EF3 1.06 mi x 1,408 yd 0 1 $578K
2008-06-03 Popcorn, Lawrence County EF1 15.83 mi x 100 yd 0 1 $164K
2006-04-02 Mitchell, Lawrence County F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $146K
2005-11-15 Coveyville, Lawrence County F1 0.2 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $76K
2001-10-24 Williams, Lawrence County F1 0.2 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $17K
1996-04-19 Bedford, Lawrence County F0 1 mi x 75 yd 0 0 $188K
1994-04-15 Mitchell, Lawrence County F1 0.3 mi x 30 yd 0 3 $100K
1994-04-15 Bryantsville, Lawrence County F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd 0 2 $995K
1990-06-02 Lawrence County F4 1.3 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $2.5M step
1990-06-02 Lawrence County F4 11 mi x 400 yd 1 51 $2.5M step
1974-04-03 Lawrence County F3 2.3 mi x 177 yd 0 0 $25M step
1963-04-19 Lawrence County F3 26.2 mi x 33 yd 0 0 –
1963-04-19 Lawrence County F3 59.1 mi x 1,400 yd 0 0 $250K step
1959-02-10 Lawrence County F2 0 0 $250K step
1957-04-05 Lawrence County F1 0 0 $3K step
1957-04-05 Lawrence County F2 0 0 $3K step
1955-03-01 Lawrence County F2 1.5 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $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 Lawrence County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 21, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($20,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The 12 most recent records kept for Lawrence County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-29 Excessive HeatLawrence County · forecast zone Lawrence 0 0 –
2026-06-21 Thunderstorm WindMitchell, Lawrence County 55 kt wind 0 0 $20K
2026-06-18 Thunderstorm WindMitchell, Lawrence County 50 kt wind 0 0 $2K
2026-06-18 Flash FloodLawrenceport, Lawrence County 0 0 $10K
2026-06-18 Flash FloodBryantsville, Lawrence County 0 0 $10K
2026-06-18 Thunderstorm WindMitchell, Lawrence County 55 kt wind 0 0 $5K
2026-06-17 Thunderstorm WindJudah, Lawrence County 50 kt wind 0 0 $2K
2026-04-27 Thunderstorm WindFayetteville, Lawrence County 52 kt wind 0 0 $50K
2026-04-27 HailSilverville, Lawrence County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-03-22 Thunderstorm WindBedford, Lawrence County 50 kt wind 0 0 $15K
2026-03-15 Thunderstorm WindHartleyville, Lawrence County 52 kt wind 0 0 $15K
2026-03-09 FloodLawrenceport, Lawrence County 2 0 $20K

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

Records with deaths or injuries in Lawrence County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-03-09 FloodLawrenceport, Lawrence County The East Fork White River, while cresting in moderate flood stage in southeastern Lawrence County, swept away a truck carrying two people during the overnight early on the 9th. Both occupants were found submerged in 8 feet of water west of the Tunnelton community near the intersection of Earl Road and Lawrenceport ... 2 0 $20K
1990-06-02 TornadoLawrence County F4 11 mi x 400 yd 1 51 $2.5M step
2006-03-12 FloodBedford, Lawrence County Several bouts of heavy precipitation brought significant flooding to the East Fork White River in south central Indiana. One man was killed when he drove into a flooded road in Jackson County, while another was killed when he fell from a boat on a swollen tributary of the East Fork. Crests along the East Fork White ... 1 0 $146K
1994-04-15 TornadoMitchell, Lawrence County A small tornado briefly touched down and destroyed a mobile home. F1 0.3 mi x 30 yd 0 3 $100K
2010-12-15 Winter StormLawrence County · forecast zone Lawrence The Lawrence County EMA reported two to three tenths of an inch of ice accumulation, with one to two inches of snowfall from this winter storm system. One county highway truck was reported to have flipped on its side on Tunnelton Road. The driver and passenger sustained very minor injuries. Another highway truck got ... 0 2 –
2010-12-12 Winter WeatherLawrence County · forecast zone Lawrence One and a half to three inches of snow fell across Lawrence County from this winter storm system. The Bedford Daily Times Mail reported about nine cases of vehicle slide-offs and two injury crashes. All area schools were closed. 0 2 –
1994-04-15 TornadoBryantsville, Lawrence County A small tornado briefly touched down heavily damaging four homes and causing minor damage to 11 homes. Also numerous trees and power lines were knocked down. F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd 0 2 $995K
2009-03-08 TornadoFayetteville, Lawrence County This brief but powerful tornado had a steady track to the east-northeast, creating damage consistent of an EF3 strength tornado. A rating of EF3 corresponds with winds of 136 to 165 MPH. The maximum width of the tornado was approximately 1/8 mile. It completely destroyed the above ground portions of two homes, ... EF3 1.06 mi x 1,408 yd 0 1 $578K

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.

The costliest records in Lawrence County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2008-06-07 FloodRiver Vale, Lawrence County 0 0 $41M
1994-04-15 TornadoBryantsville, Lawrence County F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd 0 2 $995K
2009-03-08 TornadoFayetteville, Lawrence County EF3 1.06 mi x 1,408 yd 0 1 $578K
2025-04-03 Flash FloodSilverville, Lawrence County 0 0 $500K
2005-01-06 FloodLawrence County · forecast zone Lawrence 0 0 $378K
1999-05-17 LightningO Olitic, Lawrence County 0 1 $266K
1996-04-19 TornadoBedford, Lawrence County F0 1 mi x 75 yd 0 0 $188K
2008-06-03 TornadoPopcorn, Lawrence County EF1 15.83 mi x 100 yd 0 1 $164K

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 $25M, in the dollars of the day) holds: April 3, 1974 (tornado, Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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).

Lawrence County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind0371322523427
Floods––––1561128
Hail01764272213
Winter storms––––89128
Tornadoes42105663
Drought––––0092

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).

What time of year?

Records by month in Lawrence County. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 27 · Feb 32 · Mar 41 · Apr 69 · May 77 · Jun 69 · Jul 40 · Aug 18 · Sep 16 · Oct 16 · Nov 9 · Dec 14 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Lawrence County

FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include Lawrence County: 17 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (11) and flood (4).

Declarations including Lawrence County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2026-01-24EM-3641Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2025-07-22DR-4882FloodSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2020-04-03DR-4515BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3456BiologicalCovid-19
2011-06-23DR-1997Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and
2009-04-22DR-1832Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2009-03-05DR-1828Severe StormSevere Winter Storm
2008-09-23DR-1795Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2008-06-08DR-1766Severe StormSevere Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
2005-09-10EM-3238HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2005-01-21DR-1573Severe StormSevere Winter Storms and Flooding
2005-01-11EM-3197SnowstormSnow
2004-06-03DR-1520Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2002-09-25DR-1433Severe StormSevere Storms and Tornadoes
1998-07-22DR-1234Severe StormSevere Storms and Tornadoes, and Flooding
1996-07-03DR-1125Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
1996-04-02DR-1109FloodBlizzard of 96
1992-08-17DR-953FloodSevere Storms & Flash Flooding
1990-06-04DR-869Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding
1979-07-31DR-596FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1974-04-04DR-423TornadoTornadoes

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 Lawrence County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 96 flood or flash flood records for Lawrence County from 1996 to 2026, on 81 days, with 3 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Lawrence County ranks 1731st of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.0 million on 43 claims filed in Lawrence County; the most in one year was 10 in 2005. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1979: 2 · 1982: 3 · 1983: 1 · 1992: 1 · 1993: 1 · 1995: 2 · 1996: 3 · 1998: 5 · 2002: 2 · 2005: 10 · 2006: 3 · 2008: 3 · 2010: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2025: 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 Lawrence County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lawrence County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $16.3 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Lawrence County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$1.4M5.4 a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Moderate$3.2Monce in about 3 years (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively Moderate$136K7.5 a year (modeled)
EarthquakeRelatively Low$1.3Monce in about 348 years (modeled)
Heat WaveRelatively Low$690K5.7 modeled event-days a year
Riverine FloodingRelatively Low$8.5M2.7 a year (modeled)
Ice StormRelatively Low$104Konce in about 2 years (modeled)
DroughtRelatively Low$134K4.3 modeled event-days a year

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.

Counties that share a border with Lawrence County

  1. Monroe County 498
  2. Jackson County 452
  3. Lawrence County 428
  4. Greene County 400
  5. Washington County 368
  6. Orange County 298
  7. Martin County 244

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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