Manitowoc County, Wisconsin
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 55071 · population 81,299 · 589 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 458 records for Manitowoc County, Wisconsin from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 329 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (157 records). The deadliest single record is the July 17, 2013 heat, filed for the forecast zone Manitowoc, which covers the county: 1 death. FEMA has issued 9 declarations naming the county since 1973, 7 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding” on June 30, 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
- 458on 329 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 433 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $154Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 22strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 9latest 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 Manitowoc County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 157 since 1960. 58% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1960 fell in July and August. 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 | 157 | 88 | 1960-2026 | 0 | 1 | $1.3M | 34 of 72 |
| Winter storms | 108 | 104 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 0 | – | 32 of 72 |
| Hail | 69 | 50 | 1967-2024 | 0 | 30 | $98M | 48 of 72 |
| Floods | 25 | 23 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $34M | 30 of 72 |
| High wind and dust storms | 24 | 24 | 1996-2020 | 0 | 0 | $65K | 27 of 72 |
| Tornadoes | 22 | 21 | 1957-2025 | 0 | 2 | $21M | 24 of 72 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 21 | 20 | 1996-2017 | 0 | 0 | – | 26 of 72 |
| Extreme cold | 12 | 12 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 55 of 72 |
| Heat | 8 | 8 | 1999-2026 | 3 | 0 | – | 35 of 72 |
| Drought | 6 | 6 | 1999-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 62 of 72 |
| Lightning | 5 | 5 | 1998-2020 | 0 | 0 | $497K | 28 of 72 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2015-2015 | 0 | 0 | – | 57 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 Manitowoc County had?
NOAA records 22 tornadoes in Manitowoc County from 1957 to 2025, the strongest rated F4, with 0 deaths and 2 injuries recorded in the county. That is 24th of 72 Wisconsin 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 22 tornadoes whose track touched Manitowoc County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 22, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994-07-05 15:43, as SPC files it | Maribel | F4 | 3.5 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Wisconsin.
Every tornado record filed for Manitowoc County (22)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-19 | Branch, Manitowoc County | EF0 1.58 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-08-28 | Kiel, Manitowoc County | EF1 0.96 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $88K |
| 2013-08-07 | Rosecrans, Manitowoc County | EF1 8.74 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $127K |
| 2005-08-18 | Manitowoc County | F1 1.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $23K |
| 2004-07-13 | Clark Mills, Manitowoc County | F1 4.2 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M |
| 2004-05-23 | Reedsville, Manitowoc County | F0 0.1 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2000-05-12 | St Nazianz, Manitowoc County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1994-07-05 | Cooperstown, Manitowoc County | F2 1 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.1M |
| 1994-07-05 | Maribel To, Manitowoc County | F4 3.5 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 2 | $11M |
| 1989-05-24 | Manitowoc County | F0 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1988-08-04 | Manitowoc County | F1 4 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1987-07-12 | Manitowoc County | F1 0.2 mi x 73 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1980-07-05 | Manitowoc County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1980-06-07 | Manitowoc County | F2 0.2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1979-08-04 | Manitowoc County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1978-06-07 | Manitowoc County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 1973-05-09 | Manitowoc County | F1 2.3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1972-08-21 | Manitowoc County | F1 12.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1967-07-01 | Manitowoc County | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1967-06-30 | Manitowoc County | F2 | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1960-04-24 | Manitowoc County | 0 | 0 | $3K step | |
| 1957-07-11 | Manitowoc County | F1 | 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 Manitowoc County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the May 17, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($101,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
Thunderstorm winds snapped and uprooted over 100 trees, power lines, and power poles in Two Rivers. 3,500 were without power with over $100,000 worth of damage.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1325066)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-30 | Excessive HeatManitowoc County · forecast zone Manitowoc | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-17 | Thunderstorm WindShoto, Manitowoc County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-17 | Thunderstorm WindTwo Rivers, Manitowoc County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $101K |
| 2026-04-13 | Flash FloodTwo Creeks, Manitowoc County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-14 | BlizzardManitowoc County · forecast zone Manitowoc | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-23 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillManitowoc County · forecast zone Manitowoc | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-09 | Heavy SnowManitowoc County · forecast zone Manitowoc | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-29 | Heavy SnowManitowoc County · forecast zone Manitowoc | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-19 | TornadoBranch, Manitowoc County | EF0 1.58 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-07-16 | Flash FloodAlverne, Manitowoc County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-21 | Excessive HeatManitowoc County · forecast zone Manitowoc | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-19 | Thunderstorm WindKiel, Manitowoc County | 52 kt wind | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-07-17 | HeatManitowoc County · forecast zone Manitowoc A middle-aged female died at her residence in the city of Manitowoc after a nearly three-day heatwave. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2008-11-30 | Winter StormManitowoc County · forecast zone Manitowoc Snow and very strong winds developed across east-central Wisconsin as low pressure moved across the eastern Great Lakes from the mid-south. Snowfall ranged from 3 inches to nearly 7 inches. Wind gusts frequently exceeded 30 mph during the night, creating widespread blowing snow and low visibilities. The winter storm ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2001-07-31 | HeatManitowoc County · forecast zone Manitowoc Although the temperature remained below 90 degrees and the heat index never reached 100 degrees on July 31st, a heat related death was reported in the city of Manitowoc. The woman was pronounced dead on August 4th. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1999-07-23 | HeatManitowoc County · forecast zone Manitowoc Over one week of hot and very humid conditions across northeast Wisconsin resulted in numerous heat related illnesses and 3 deaths due to excessive heat. A 72 year old male died in his home in Stockbridge (Calumet county), a 61 year old male died in his home in Manitowoc (Manitowoc county), and a 48 year old died in a ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2000-05-12 | HailSt Nazianz, Manitowoc County During the mid and late morning of May 12, a high precipitation supercell thunderstorm developed in west-central Wisconsin and tracked east across the state for over two and a half hours. The storm produced a prolific path of large hail, a brief tornado, and a significant wet microburst across central and east central ... | 2.50 in hail | 0 | 30 | $86M |
| 1994-07-05 | TornadoMaribel To, Manitowoc County | F4 3.5 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 2 | $11M |
| 1990-08-26 | Thunderstorm WindManitowoc County | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-05-12 | HailSt Nazianz, Manitowoc County | 2.50 in hail | 0 | 30 | $86M |
| 2008-06-12 | Flash FloodManitowoc County | 0 | 0 | $28M | |
| 1994-07-05 | TornadoMaribel To, Manitowoc County | F4 3.5 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 2 | $11M |
| 2006-07-01 | HailBranch, Manitowoc County | 3.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $10M |
| 1996-06-16 | FloodManitowoc County · forecast zone Manitowoc | 0 | 0 | $5.6M | |
| 2004-07-13 | TornadoClark Mills, Manitowoc County | F1 4.2 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M |
| 2013-06-27 | HailManitowoc County | 2.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | $1.9M |
| 1994-07-05 | TornadoCooperstown, Manitowoc County | F2 1 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.1M |
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 30, 1967 (tornado, Manitowoc County); June 7, 1980 (tornado, Manitowoc County); July 5, 1980 (tornado, Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc 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 | 4 | 4 | 22 | 24 | 18 | 61 | 24 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 22 | 39 | 33 | 14 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 27 | 22 | 9 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 10 | 9 | 3 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 8 | 12 | 3 | 1 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
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 1960 fell in July and August. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 39 · Feb 38 · Mar 26 · Apr 27 · May 41 · Jun 62 · Jul 93 · Aug 62 · Sep 20 · Oct 12 · Nov 6 · Dec 32 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Manitowoc County
FEMA's register lists 9 declarations that include Manitowoc County: 6 major disasters, 3 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (3) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-30 | DR-4923 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2020-04-04 | DR-4520 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3454 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2008-06-14 | DR-1768 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3249 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2001-01-24 | EM-3163 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 1990-07-13 | DR-874 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1976-03-23 | DR-496 | Flood | Severe Storms, Icing, Wind & Flooding |
| 1973-04-27 | DR-376 | Flood | Severe Storms & 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 Manitowoc County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 25 flood or flash flood records for Manitowoc County from 1996 to 2026, on 23 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Manitowoc County ranks 1838th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $481,000 on 35 claims filed in Manitowoc County; the most in one year was 5 in 1986. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 4 · 1980: 1 · 1982: 2 · 1984: 1 · 1985: 1 · 1986: 5 · 1988: 1 · 1989: 1 · 1990: 4 · 2001: 1 · 2007: 1 · 2008: 1 · 2010: 2 · 2011: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 2 · 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 Manitowoc County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Manitowoc County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $32.4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | Relatively High | $4.1M | 1.7 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $6.1M | 5.4 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $1.8M | 1.1 modeled event-days a year |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $4.0M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $489K | 31 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $113K | 17 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $853K | 1.9 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $15M | about once 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 Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Manitowoc County's FEMA declarations (CSV)9 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis