Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 42075 · population 143,188 · 362 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 581 records for Lebanon County, Pennsylvania from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 399 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (300 records). The deadliest single record is the February 13, 2016 winter weather, filed for the forecast zone Lebanon, which covers the county: 3 deaths and 70 injuries. FEMA has issued 19 declarations naming the county since 1972, 17 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm” on March 23, 2016.

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
581on 399 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
8104 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$71Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
19strongest F3
FEMA declarations
19latest 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 Lebanon County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 300 since 1957. 50% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 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.

Lebanon County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 300 202 1957-2026 0 5 $1.3M 7 of 67
Floods 77 54 1996-2025 2 0 $3.1M 14 of 67
Winter storms 73 73 1996-2026 4 71 – 17 of 67
Hail 55 38 1956-2023 0 0 $9K 15 of 67
High wind and dust storms 25 25 1996-2025 1 0 $136K 14 of 67
Tornadoes 19 16 1957-2021 1 7 $66M 3 of 67
Heat 12 12 1999-2025 0 0 – 11 of 67
Drought 11 11 1997-2025 0 0 – 12 of 67
Extreme cold 4 3 2007-2025 0 0 – 56 of 67
Lightning 2 2 1996-2005 0 21 – 25 of 67
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 2 2 2010-2011 0 0 – 16 of 67
Hurricanes and tropical storms 1 1 2003-2003 0 0 – 11 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 Lebanon County had?

NOAA records 19 tornadoes in Lebanon County from 1957 to 2021, the strongest rated F3, with 1 death and 7 injuries recorded in the county. That is 3rd 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 19 tornadoes whose track touched Lebanon County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 19, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Lebanon County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1970-06-18 17:15, as SPC files itMount Aetna to StouchsburgF31.9 mi1
2004-07-14 13:05, as SPC files itCampbelltownF37.5 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Pennsylvania.

Every tornado record filed for Lebanon County (19)
Every tornado recorded in Lebanon County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2021-07-29 Greble, Lebanon County EF0 0.74 mi x 60 yd 0 0 –
2017-07-22 Hebron, Lebanon County EF0 0.1 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2011-04-28 East Hanover, Lebanon County EF2 1.07 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $20K
2011-04-28 Palmyra, Lebanon County EF1 1.92 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $13K
2010-06-22 Fontana, Lebanon County EF0 0.11 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $14K
2008-07-13 Bunker Hill, Lebanon County EF0 0.5 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2004-07-14 Campbelltown, Lebanon County F3 7.5 mi x 500 yd 0 0 $28M
2002-04-28 Ono, Lebanon County F1 1.5 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $1.3M
1994-06-06 Hamlin To, Lebanon County F1 4 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
1992-08-28 Lebanon County F1 1 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $250K step
1992-07-17 Lebanon County F1 0.5 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $250K step
1992-07-17 Lebanon County F2 1 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $250K step
1992-07-17 Lebanon County F1 1 mi x 23 yd 0 0 $25K step
1991-05-30 Lebanon County F0 0.3 mi x 20 yd 0 0 $3K step
1979-11-26 Lebanon County F0 0.3 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $3K step
1975-10-11 Lebanon County F2 17.5 mi x 33 yd 0 0 $2.5M step
1970-06-18 Lebanon County F3 1.9 mi x 880 yd 1 5 $2.5M step
1964-06-15 Lebanon County F1 2 mi x 800 yd 0 2 $250K step
1957-11-19 Lebanon County F2 2 mi x 13 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 Lebanon County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 11, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The 12 most recent records kept for Lebanon County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-11 Thunderstorm WindAnnville, Lebanon County 52 kt wind 0 0 $2K
2026-06-11 Thunderstorm WindJonestown, Lebanon County 52 kt wind 0 0 $1K
2026-06-11 Thunderstorm WindEast Hanover, Lebanon County 52 kt wind 0 0 $1K
2026-06-06 Thunderstorm WindMt Zion, Lebanon County 52 kt wind 0 0 $1K
2026-06-06 Thunderstorm WindKleinfeltersville, Lebanon County 52 kt wind 0 0 $2K
2026-06-06 Thunderstorm WindSand Hill, Lebanon County 52 kt wind 0 0 $15K
2026-05-20 Thunderstorm WindHamlin, Lebanon County 52 kt wind 0 0 $5K
2026-05-20 Thunderstorm WindFlintville, Lebanon County 61 kt wind 0 0 $15K
2026-05-13 Thunderstorm WindFredericksburg, Lebanon County 43 kt wind 0 0 $500
2026-03-11 Thunderstorm WindAvon, Lebanon County 52 kt wind 0 0 $10K
2026-01-24 Heavy SnowLebanon County · forecast zone Lebanon 0 0 –
2026-01-01 Winter WeatherLebanon County · forecast zone Lebanon 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

Records with deaths or injuries in Lebanon County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2016-02-13 Winter WeatherLebanon County · forecast zone Lebanon A snow squall combined with blowing snow produced sudden blinding whiteout conditions along I-78 westbound at mile marker 7.5 in Bethel Township. Just before 930AM, the brief whiteout caused a 64-car pileup that killed 3 people and injured at least 70 others. 3 70 –
2011-09-07 FloodLawn, Lebanon County Swatara Creek at Harper Tavern crested at record/major flood stage, 24.46 feet. Flood stage is 9.0 feet. This is the 2nd highest crest on record. A 55-year old man was swept away in floodwaters from Route 72 just north of Frog Hollow Drive in Swatara Township. He was trapped in rising waters on Swatara Creek. The ... 2 0 $2.6M
1970-06-18 TornadoLebanon County F3 1.9 mi x 880 yd 1 5 $2.5M step
2022-11-15 Winter WeatherLebanon County · forecast zone Lebanon A period of moderate snow led to slick roads, leading to a fatal vehicle accident on the southbound lanes of I-81 in Lebanon County. The southbound lanes were closed for over 3 hours so that the state police could perform an accident reconstruction. 1 0 –
2006-09-02 Strong WindLebanon County · forecast zone Lebanon Strong winds associated with the remnants of tropical storm Ernesto, coupled with heavy rainfall, allowed for multiple trees to fall in Eagle Peak Campground, Millcreek Township, in Lebanon County. One of these trees struck a camper, killing one individual. 40 kt wind 1 0 –
2005-07-17 LightningLickdale, Lebanon County Lightning struck a Pavilion in Fort Indiantown Gap. Twenty one National Guard soldiers, members of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment were injured by the lightning strike, while under the pavilion waiting for a bus. One soldier was knocked unconscious and was briefly hospitalized. The other 20 ... 0 21 –
1991-07-23 Thunderstorm WindLebanon County 0 3 –
1964-06-15 TornadoLebanon County F1 2 mi x 800 yd 0 2 $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.

The costliest records in Lebanon County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2004-07-14 TornadoCampbelltown, Lebanon County F3 7.5 mi x 500 yd 0 0 $28M
2011-09-07 FloodLawn, Lebanon County 2 0 $2.6M
2002-04-28 TornadoOno, Lebanon County F1 1.5 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $1.3M
2000-06-25 Flash FloodCountywide, Lebanon County 0 0 $428K
2002-06-27 Thunderstorm WindFredericksburg, Lebanon County 100 kt wind 0 0 $410K
2025-12-19 Thunderstorm WindPleasant Hill, Lebanon County 52 kt wind 0 0 $50K
2010-06-22 Thunderstorm WindCampbelltown, Lebanon County 70 kt wind 0 0 $34K
2011-04-28 TornadoEast Hanover, Lebanon County EF2 1.07 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $20K

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: June 18, 1970 (tornado, Lebanon County, 1 killed); October 11, 1975 (tornado, Lebanon 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 Lebanon 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).

Lebanon County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind212014445810061
Floods––––1034267
Winter storms––––10282015
Hail1023624145
High wind and dust storms––––31273
Tornadoes11306341

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

What time of year?

50% 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 35 · Feb 39 · Mar 24 · Apr 28 · May 63 · Jun 117 · Jul 125 · Aug 52 · Sep 31 · Oct 15 · Nov 25 · Dec 27 (records).

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

Federal disaster declarations for Lebanon County

FEMA's register lists 19 declarations that include Lebanon County: 13 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (6) and snowstorm (4).

Declarations including Lebanon County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2020-03-30DR-4506BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3441BiologicalCovid-19
2016-03-23DR-4267SnowstormSevere Winter Storm and Snowstorm
2012-10-29EM-3356HurricaneHurricane Sandy
2011-09-12DR-4030FloodTropical Storm Lee
2011-09-08EM-3340FloodRemnants of Tropical Storm Lee
2010-04-16DR-1898SnowstormSevere Winter Storms and Snowstorms
2006-06-30DR-1649Severe StormSevere Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides
2005-09-10EM-3235HurricaneHurricane Katrina
2004-09-19DR-1555Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding Associated With Tropical Depression Frances
2004-09-19DR-1557HurricaneTropical Depression Ivan
2003-03-14EM-3180Severe StormSnow
1996-01-21DR-1093FloodSevere Storms and Flooding
1996-01-13DR-1085SnowstormBlizzard of 96
1994-03-10DR-1015Severe StormSevere Winter Storms
1993-03-16EM-3105SnowstormSevere Snowfall & Winter Storm
1976-10-20DR-523FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1975-09-26DR-485FloodSevere Storms, Heavy Rains & Flooding
1972-06-23DR-340FloodTropical 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 Lebanon County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 77 flood or flash flood records for Lebanon County from 1996 to 2025, on 54 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Lebanon County ranks 328th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

Named storms on Lebanon County's flood and tropical record
StormBeganRecordsDeaths in the county
Tropical Storm Lee2011-09-0712

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $15.9 million on 1,005 claims filed in Lebanon County; the most in one year was 317 in 1979. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1978: 104 · 1979: 317 · 1981: 6 · 1982: 4 · 1983: 15 · 1984: 5 · 1985: 1 · 1986: 1 · 1987: 1 · 1988: 8 · 1989: 3 · 1993: 16 · 1994: 2 · 1996: 29 · 1999: 8 · 2000: 10 · 2003: 4 · 2004: 51 · 2005: 2 · 2006: 45 · 2007: 5 · 2008: 7 · 2010: 5 · 2011: 277 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 12 · 2014: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 44 · 2019: 4 · 2021: 13 · 2023: 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 Lebanon County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lebanon County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $43.2 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 Lebanon County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
Winter WeatherRelatively High$482K12 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively High$1.9M5.9 a year (modeled)
LightningRelatively High$1.0M35 a year (modeled)
HurricaneRelatively Moderate$4.9Monce in about 13 years (modeled)
Riverine FloodingRelatively Moderate$27M1.9 a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Moderate$2.6Monce in about 5 years (modeled)
DroughtRelatively Moderate$526K1.1 modeled event-days a year
EarthquakeRelatively Low$1.8Monce in about 739 years (modeled)

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

Counties that share a border with Lebanon County

  1. Berks County 2,021
  2. Lancaster County 1,177
  3. Dauphin County 706
  4. Lebanon County 581
  5. Schuylkill County 519

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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