Lincoln County, Wisconsin
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 55069 · population 28,413 · 879 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 482 records for Lincoln County, Wisconsin from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 348 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (146 records). The most damaging was the April 10, 2011 tornado ($14.3 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 9 declarations naming the county since 1969, 7 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Katrina Evacuation” on September 13, 2005.
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
- 482on 348 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 010 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $22Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 26strongest EF3
- FEMA declarations
- 9latest 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 Lincoln County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 146 since 1975. 58% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1975 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Wisconsin'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 | 146 | 103 | 1975-2025 | 0 | 4 | $279K | 51 of 72 |
| Winter storms | 102 | 101 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 59 of 72 |
| Hail | 91 | 55 | 1955-2025 | 0 | 0 | $4K | 57 of 72 |
| Drought | 43 | 43 | 1999-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 10 of 72 |
| Tornadoes | 26 | 20 | 1955-2026 | 0 | 4 | $21M | 45 of 72 |
| High wind and dust storms | 19 | 19 | 1997-2019 | 0 | 0 | $59K | 37 of 72 |
| Extreme cold | 18 | 17 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 59 of 72 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 12 | 11 | 1996-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 40 of 72 |
| Floods | 11 | 9 | 1996-2018 | 0 | 0 | $2K | 64 of 72 |
| Lightning | 7 | 6 | 1996-1999 | 0 | 2 | $286K | 36 of 72 |
| Heavy rain | 6 | 5 | 2010-2013 | 0 | 0 | – | 44 of 72 |
| Heat | 1 | 1 | 1999-1999 | 0 | 0 | – | 71 of 72 |
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 Lincoln County had?
NOAA records 26 tornadoes in Lincoln County from 1955 to 2026, the strongest rated EF3, with 0 deaths and 4 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 25 tornadoes whose track touched Lincoln County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 26: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-04-10 17:08, as SPC files it | Merrill | EF3 | 21.15 mi | 0 |
| 1955-05-03 18:00, as SPC files it | Unnamed | F3 | 6.8 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Wisconsin.
Every tornado record filed for Lincoln County (26)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-17 | Doering, Lincoln County | EF1 3.19 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2021-07-28 | Merrill, Lincoln County | EF1 1.41 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-07-19 | Spirit Falls, Lincoln County | EF0 6.52 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-07-09 | Schultz, Lincoln County | EF0 4.1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-04-10 | Corning, Lincoln County | EF3 20.2 mi x 1,050 yd | 0 | 2 | $14M |
| 2004-07-11 | Tomahawk, Lincoln County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-07-11 | Tomahawk, Lincoln County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-07-11 | Tomahawk, Lincoln County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-07-11 | Irma, Lincoln County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-09-30 | Tomahawk, Lincoln County | F2 3 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $123K |
| 2002-07-30 | Merrill, Lincoln County | F0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2002-07-30 | Merrill, Lincoln County | F0 9 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $164K |
| 2002-07-30 | Merrill, Lincoln County | F0 1.2 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-04-18 | Bradley, Lincoln County | F0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1999-05-05 | Tomahawk, Lincoln County | F0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $13K |
| 1998-03-29 | Tomahawk, Lincoln County | F0 4.5 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $27K |
| 1997-07-16 | Merrill, Lincoln County | F2 1.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $965K |
| 1996-07-18 | Tomahawk, Lincoln County | F1 3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $169K |
| 1991-06-14 | Lincoln County | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1979-06-16 | Lincoln County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1979-06-16 | Lincoln County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1976-06-13 | Lincoln County | F1 6.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1962-07-24 | Lincoln County | F2 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1961-09-03 | Lincoln County | 0 | 0 | $3K step | |
| 1958-06-30 | Lincoln County | F2 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1955-05-03 | Lincoln County | 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.
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 Lincoln County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the July 19, 2025 thunderstorm wind (1 injury).
Thunderstorm winds downed trees at Council Grounds State Park near Merrill. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1267674)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-17 | TornadoDoering, Lincoln County | EF1 3.19 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-02 | Winter StormLincoln County · forecast zone Lincoln | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-14 | Winter StormLincoln County · forecast zone Lincoln | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-12 | Winter StormLincoln County · forecast zone Lincoln | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-22 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillLincoln County · forecast zone Lincoln | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-01 | DroughtLincoln County · forecast zone Lincoln | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-28 | Winter StormLincoln County · forecast zone Lincoln | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-01 | DroughtLincoln County · forecast zone Lincoln | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-18 | DroughtLincoln County · forecast zone Lincoln | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-19 | Thunderstorm WindMerrill, Lincoln County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-07-19 | Thunderstorm WindMerrill Municipal Airport, Lincoln County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2025-06-19 | HailTomahawk Regional Airport, Lincoln County | 1.00 in hail | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-25 | Thunderstorm WindBradley, Lincoln County Widespread large trees uprooted and snapped along the south shore of Lake Nokomis. Some trees fell onto roofs and a tree fell into a cabin causing it to collapse where 2 injuries occurred. | 61 kt wind | 0 | 2 | – |
| 2011-04-10 | TornadoCorning, Lincoln County The tornado that formed north of Hamburg (Marathon County) at 6:08 pm CDT (1708 CST) moved into Lincoln County at 6:10 pm CDT (1710 CST). The tornado reached EF3 intensity on the north side of Merrill at approximately 6:22 pm, where 22 homes and seven businesses were destroyed. Several homes lost nearly all exterior ... | EF3 20.2 mi x 1,050 yd | 0 | 2 | $14M |
| 1955-05-03 | TornadoLincoln County | 0 | 2 | $250K step | |
| 2025-07-19 | Thunderstorm WindMerrill Municipal Airport, Lincoln County Thunderstorm winds downed trees at Council Grounds State Park near Merrill. The time of this report is an estimate based on radar data. | 52 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2001-04-23 | Thunderstorm WindTomahawk, Lincoln County A strong cold front swept into southwest Wisconsin during the mid morning hours. A narrow line of severe thunderstorms developed immediately ahead of the cold front. The storms caused strong winds aloft to reach the surface, resulting in damage to trees and power lines. At least 8,000 customers lost electrical power ... | 65 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 1999-07-08 | LightningTomahawk, Lincoln County Thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front in Minnesota and moved through northeast Wisconsin during the evening. Severe thunderstorms downed numerous trees and power lines across northeast Wisconsin. Wind gusts were as high as 70 to 80 mph. Emergency government officials in Marathon county reported extensive ... | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 1999-07-08 | LightningTomahawk, Lincoln County Thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front in Minnesota and moved through northeast Wisconsin during the evening. Severe thunderstorms downed numerous trees and power lines across northeast Wisconsin. Wind gusts were as high as 70 to 80 mph. Emergency government officials in Marathon county reported extensive ... | 0 | 1 | – |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-04-10 | TornadoCorning, Lincoln County | EF3 20.2 mi x 1,050 yd | 0 | 2 | $14M |
| 1997-07-16 | TornadoMerrill, Lincoln County | F2 1.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $965K |
| 1996-05-19 | LightningMerrill, Lincoln County | 0 | 0 | $282K | |
| 1996-07-18 | TornadoTomahawk, Lincoln County | F1 3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $169K |
| 2002-07-30 | TornadoMerrill, Lincoln County | F0 9 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $164K |
| 2002-09-30 | TornadoTomahawk, Lincoln County | F2 3 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $123K |
| 1998-03-29 | TornadoTomahawk, Lincoln County | F0 4.5 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $27K |
| 2017-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindBloomville, Lincoln County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $24K |
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: May 3, 1955 (tornado, Lincoln County); June 16, 1979 (tornado, Lincoln County); June 16, 1979 (tornado, Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 34 | 31 | 41 | 26 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 22 | 31 | 26 | 23 |
| Hail | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 34 | 22 | 16 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 1 | 19 | 9 | 14 |
| Tornadoes | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 2 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 7 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
58% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1975 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 33 · Feb 36 · Mar 34 · Apr 48 · May 43 · Jun 78 · Jul 86 · Aug 38 · Sep 36 · Oct 15 · Nov 11 · Dec 24 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Lincoln County
FEMA's register lists 9 declarations that include Lincoln County: 5 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for biological (2) and severe storm (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-04 | DR-4520 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3454 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3249 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2002-09-10 | DR-1432 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 1993-07-02 | DR-994 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1977-10-03 | EM-3048 | Severe Storm | Winds, Hail & Rain |
| 1976-06-17 | EM-3014 | Drought | Drought |
| 1973-04-27 | DR-376 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1969-05-01 | DR-260 | 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 Lincoln County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 11 flood or flash flood records for Lincoln County from 1996 to 2018, on 9 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Lincoln County ranks 2685th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $17,000 on 3 claims filed in Lincoln County; the most in one year was 1 in 1981. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1981: 1 · 2013: 1 · 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 Lincoln County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lincoln County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $19.3 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.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Wave | Relatively High | $7.9M | 9.4 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $420K | 31 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $112K | 17 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $8.9M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $238K | 1.8 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.1M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $441K | 1.7 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $38K | once in about 6 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Lincoln 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 WisconsinEvery Wisconsin tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in WisconsinThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Wisconsin recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Lincoln CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Lincoln County's FEMA declarations (CSV)9 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis