Marion County, Illinois
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 17121 · population 37,690 · 573 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 497 records for Marion County, Illinois from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 333 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (210 records). The deadliest single record is the December 26, 2015 flash flood: 5 deaths. FEMA has issued 8 declarations naming the county since 1990, 6 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms and Flooding” on June 7, 2011.
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
- 497on 333 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 725 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $21Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 37strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 8latest 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 Marion County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 210 since 1957. 40% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in May and June. The rank column places the county among Illinois'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 | 210 | 143 | 1957-2026 | 0 | 12 | $1.4M | 46 of 102 |
| Hail | 101 | 68 | 1958-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | 63 of 102 |
| Heat | 49 | 49 | 1999-2025 | 0 | 1 | – | 31 of 102 |
| Winter storms | 45 | 45 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 81 of 102 |
| Floods | 37 | 37 | 1998-2026 | 5 | 0 | $247K | 70 of 102 |
| Tornadoes | 37 | 26 | 1959-2026 | 2 | 12 | $18M | 51 of 102 |
| High wind and dust storms | 8 | 7 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $158K | 92 of 102 |
| Extreme cold | 4 | 4 | 2000-2014 | 0 | 0 | – | 98 of 102 |
| Drought | 3 | 3 | 2005-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 102 of 102 |
| Heavy rain | 3 | 3 | 2001-2008 | 0 | 0 | – | 46 of 102 |
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 Marion County had?
NOAA records 37 tornadoes in Marion County from 1959 to 2026, the strongest rated F2, with 2 deaths and 12 injuries recorded in the county. That is 51st of 102 Illinois 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 38 tornadoes whose track touched Marion County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 37: 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.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-05-09 01:11, as SPC files it | Centralia | F1 | 0.5 mi | 2 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Illinois.
Every tornado record filed for Marion County (37)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-21 | Vernon, Marion County | EF0 3.41 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-21 | Omega Forbes Airport, Marion County | EF1 2.13 mi x 190 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-21 | Vernon, Marion County | EF0 0.98 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-05-26 | Omega, Marion County | EF1 4.66 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2024-05-26 | Omega Forbes Airport, Marion County | EF1 1.12 mi x 325 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-05-26 | Fairman, Marion County | EF0 0.86 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2024-04-07 | Vernon, Marion County | EF1 1.26 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $28K |
| 2023-03-31 | Selmaville, Marion County | EF1 5.95 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.9M |
| 2022-05-15 | Texas Corner, Marion County | EFU 0.11 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-06-19 | Cartter, Marion County | EF0 0.08 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-06-19 | Greendale, Marion County | EF1 1.67 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2014-10-13 | Kell, Marion County | EF1 1.05 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2012-03-23 | Iuka, Marion County | EF0 0.01 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-04-19 | Centralia Municipal Airport, Marion County | EF1 0.36 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-06-03 | Kinmundy, Marion County | EF0 0.06 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-02-05 | Sedan, Marion County | EF0 0.11 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-02-05 | Sedan, Marion County | EF0 0.22 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2005-11-15 | Salem, Marion County | F1 5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-05-09 | Centralia, Marion County | F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 2 | 0 | – |
| 2002-05-01 | Kinmundy, Marion County | F1 2.5 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-05-01 | Kinmundy, Marion County | F1 6.5 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-05-01 | Kinmundy, Marion County | F1 7 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1999-05-05 | Kell, Marion County | F1 0.2 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 4 | – |
| 1998-04-15 | Cartter, Marion County | F1 9 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-04-15 | Walnut Hill, Marion County | F2 4 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-04-15 | Walnut Hill, Marion County | F2 0.5 mi x 350 yd | 0 | 0 | $91K |
| 1996-06-10 | St Peter, Marion County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-05-25 | Odin, Marion County | F0 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $19K |
| 1996-04-19 | Patoka, Marion County | F1 7 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-04-19 | Salem, Marion County | F1 3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $132K |
| 1996-04-19 | Odin, Marion County | F2 20 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 7 | $13M |
| 1976-03-20 | Marion County | F2 1.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1975-04-18 | Marion County | F1 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1974-03-29 | Marion County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $30 step |
| 1973-05-07 | Marion County | F1 | 0 | 1 | – |
| 1960-06-28 | Marion County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1959-07-30 | Marion 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 Marion County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 27, 2026 flash flood ($10,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-27 | Flash FloodCentralia Municipal Airport, Marion County | 0 | 0 | $10K | |
| 2026-06-21 | Thunderstorm WindSandoval, Marion County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-21 | Thunderstorm WindSandoval, Marion County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-21 | TornadoVernon, Marion County | EF0 3.41 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-21 | TornadoOmega Forbes Airport, Marion County | EF1 2.13 mi x 190 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-21 | TornadoVernon, Marion County | EF0 0.98 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-17 | Strong WindMarion County · forecast zone Marion | 49 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-17 | Strong WindMarion County · forecast zone Marion | 49 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $150K |
| 2026-06-08 | Thunderstorm WindCentralia, Marion County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-08 | FloodSalem, Marion County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-18 | Flash FloodSalem Leckrone Airport, Marion County | 0 | 0 | $100K | |
| 2026-05-16 | HailBeverly, Marion 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-12-26 | Flash FloodVernon, Marion County Automated gauges in the area only measured about an inch of rain between 3 pm and 8 pm. However, this was enough for Louse Creek to rise, covering Farthing Road at a low water crossing, about half a mile north of intersection with Britt Road. A family of 5 was traveling from Kentucky to Minnesota and somehow got lost ... | 5 | 0 | – | |
| 2002-05-09 | TornadoCentralia, Marion County A small but deadly tornado struck the south part of Centralia and devastated the Rosewood and Collinsworth Mobile Home Parks. Forming quickly on the leading edge of a squall line, the tornado hit shortly after 200 am, when most residents were asleep. An Illinois Emergency Management Agency damage assessment listed 12 ... | F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 2 | 0 | – |
| 1996-04-19 | TornadoOdin, Marion County Marion County was declared a Federal Disaster Area as a tornado, reaching F2 strength at its peak, created a 20 mile path of destruction from south of Odin to east of Salem. The bulk of the damage occurred on the south side of the city of Salem. The tornado moved through the county Fairgrounds, destroying numerous ... | F2 20 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 7 | $13M |
| 1999-05-05 | TornadoKell, Marion County A brief tornado destroyed a mobile home, 2 outbuildings and downed several trees just east of Kell. The 4 occupants of the mobile home were treated for minor injuries. | F1 0.2 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 4 | – |
| 2023-07-29 | Thunderstorm WindJunction City, Marion County Widespread wind damage across the southern half of Marion County. Numerous tree limbs, power lines and trees were blown down in Sandoval, Junction City, Centralia, Odin, Salem, Cartter and Kell. About three miles south of Odin, a large tree fell onto an occupied mobile home. Three people were in the mobile home at the ... | 56 kt wind | 0 | 3 | – |
| 2025-03-14 | Thunderstorm WindCartter, Marion County Thunderstorm winds knocked a tree on a home, trapping two residents in the house. | 60 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $150K |
| 2006-04-02 | Thunderstorm WindPatoka, Marion County A 64 mph wind gust was measured at the Centralia Airport. In Patoka, 2 people were injured when their mobile home was blown over. Several barns and outbuildings were also destroyed just east of Patoka. | 56 kt wind | 0 | 2 | – |
| 2008-02-05 | Thunderstorm WindKinmundy, Marion County The damaging winds persisted into northeastern Marion county. About one and a half miles southeast of Farina, another machine shed was completely destroyed by the winds with debris tossed approximately 100 yards. There was also widespread tree damage in this area as well. On Interstate 57, 3 semi tractor trailers were ... | 70 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-04-19 | TornadoOdin, Marion County | F2 20 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 7 | $13M |
| 2023-03-31 | TornadoSelmaville, Marion County | EF1 5.95 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.9M |
| 1993-08-01 | HailSalem, Marion County | 3.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | $1.1M |
| 1996-05-27 | Thunderstorm WindSalem, Marion County | 0 | 0 | $470K | |
| 2026-06-17 | Strong WindMarion County · forecast zone Marion | 49 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $150K |
| 1996-04-19 | TornadoSalem, Marion County | F1 3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $132K |
| 2025-04-04 | Flash FloodFairman, Marion County | 0 | 0 | $100K | |
| 2026-05-18 | Flash FloodSalem Leckrone Airport, Marion County | 0 | 0 | $100K |
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: April 18, 1975 (tornado, Marion County); March 20, 1976 (tornado, Marion 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 Marion 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 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 17 | 41 | 54 | 45 | 39 |
| Hail | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 19 | 26 | 32 | 10 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 1 | 19 | 26 | 3 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 7 | 21 | 12 | 5 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 11 | 15 | 8 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 9 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
40% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 23 · Feb 31 · Mar 42 · Apr 82 · May 76 · Jun 80 · Jul 74 · Aug 45 · Sep 13 · Oct 6 · Nov 9 · Dec 16 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Marion County
FEMA's register lists 8 declarations that include Marion County: 6 major disasters, 2 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (3) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-26 | DR-4489 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3435 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2011-06-07 | DR-1991 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2011-03-17 | DR-1960 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2005-09-07 | EM-3230 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2002-05-21 | DR-1416 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 1996-04-23 | DR-1110 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 1990-06-22 | DR-871 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & 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 Marion County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 37 flood or flash flood records for Marion County from 1998 to 2026, on 37 days, with 5 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Marion County ranks 1928th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $548,000 on 29 claims filed in Marion County; the most in one year was 8 in 1993. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 2 · 1982: 1 · 1983: 1 · 1986: 1 · 1990: 2 · 1993: 8 · 1995: 2 · 1998: 4 · 1999: 2 · 2008: 1 · 2009: 1 · 2011: 2 · 2025: 2; 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 Marion County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Marion County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $30.9 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 | $1.9M | 4.6 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate | $12M | once in about 158 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $1.5M | 11 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $2.1M | 1.5 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $2.1M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $110K | 7.8 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $317K | 1.7 modeled event-days a year |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $10M | 1.1 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 Marion 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 IllinoisEvery Illinois tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in IllinoisThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Illinois recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Marion CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Marion County's FEMA declarations (CSV)8 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis