Massac County, Illinois
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 17127 · population 14,128 · 237 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 805 records for Massac County, Illinois from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 716 days; the most frequent are floods and flash floods (126 records). 501 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the November 17, 2013 tornado: 3 deaths, 33 injuries and $7.0 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 12 declarations naming the county since 1973, 10 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes” on November 26, 2013.
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
- 805on 716 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 680 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $70Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 18strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 12latest 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 Massac County most?
The most frequent records are floods and flash floods: 126 since 1996. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floods | 126 | 122 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $5.2M | 4 of 102 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 124 | 112 | 1980-2025 | 1 | 8 | $3.7M | 2 of 102 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 121 | 119 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 4 of 102 |
| Winter storms | 100 | 100 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $18M | 7 of 102 |
| Heat | 84 | 84 | 1997-2025 | 1 | 10 | – | 4 of 102 |
| High wind and dust storms | 65 | 65 | 1997-2025 | 0 | 0 | $13M | 6 of 102 |
| Extreme cold | 63 | 63 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $34K | 6 of 102 |
| Hail | 52 | 44 | 1979-2025 | 0 | 0 | $80K | 22 of 102 |
| Drought | 35 | 35 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $4.9M | 4 of 102 |
| Tornadoes | 18 | 16 | 1989-2023 | 4 | 58 | $25M | 16 of 102 |
| Heavy rain | 11 | 11 | 2003-2015 | 0 | 0 | $69K | 6 of 102 |
| Lightning | 6 | 6 | 2007-2025 | 0 | 4 | $155K | 7 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 Massac County had?
NOAA records 18 tornadoes in Massac County from 1989 to 2023, the strongest rated F4, with 4 deaths and 58 injuries recorded in the county. That is 16th of 102 Illinois counties and 217th of 3,080 U.S. 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 Massac County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 18: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 5 people, 4 of them in Massac County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-11-17 14:05, as SPC files it | PaducahCrossed IL, KY | EF3 | 42.5 mi | 3 |
| 2003-05-06 20:32, as SPC files it | Karnak | F4 | 33 mi | 2 |
| 2006-09-22 14:20, as SPC files it | Joppa | F3 | 3.5 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Illinois.
Every tornado record filed for Massac County (18)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-01-12 | Hillerman, Massac County | EF0 1.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2020-07-20 | Metropolis Municipal Airport, Massac County | EF0 0.26 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $17K |
| 2018-04-03 | Metropolis Municipal Airport, Massac County | EF1 10.59 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $153K |
| 2017-11-18 | Round Knob, Massac County | EF0 0.09 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2016-07-06 | Metropolis, Massac County | EF1 2.79 mi x 160 yd | 0 | 2 | $430K |
| 2013-11-17 | Brookport, Massac County | EF3 7.77 mi x 500 yd | 3 | 33 | $7.0M |
| 2012-02-29 | Metropolis Municipal Airport, Massac County | EF2 2.38 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $64K |
| 2011-05-25 | Hillerman, Massac County | EF2 7.98 mi x 325 yd | 0 | 0 | $197K |
| 2011-04-23 | Choat, Massac County | EF1 6.64 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $590K |
| 2006-09-22 | Metropolis Municipal Airport, Massac County | F3 3.5 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 2 | $732K |
| 2006-03-12 | Boaz, Massac County | F0 0.9 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $73K |
| 2005-11-15 | Metropolis, Massac County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-05-06 | Metropolis, Massac County | F2 4 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $128K |
| 2003-05-06 | Samoth, Massac County | F0 0.2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-05-06 | Hillerman, Massac County | F4 14 mi x 1,000 yd | 1 | 20 | $16M |
| 2003-05-04 | Joppa, Massac County | F1 1.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1999-04-05 | Metropolis, Massac County | F0 0.2 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 1 | $18K |
| 1989-04-03 | Massac County | F1 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
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 Massac County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the July 18, 2025 lightning ($15,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-28 | DroughtMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-27 | Dense FogMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-15 | Dense FogMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-26 | Cold/Wind ChillMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-23 | Cold/Wind ChillMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-21 | Winter WeatherMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-08 | Dense FogMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-23 | Dense FogMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-22 | Dense FogMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-07 | Dense FogMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-09-14 | DroughtMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-11-17 | TornadoBrookport, Massac County The tornado crossed the Ohio River from McCracken County, Kentucky into Massac County, Illinois. Video of the tornado taken by a barge operator as it crossed the Ohio River indicated it was completely rain-wrapped. This long-track tornado attained its peak intensity as it came onshore into Brookport, a small community ... | EF3 7.77 mi x 500 yd | 3 | 33 | $7.0M |
| 2003-05-06 | TornadoHillerman, Massac County The tornado was near its maximum F-4 intensity as it crossed the Pulaski County line into western Massac County near the community of Hillerman. Estimated winds of 210 MPH disintegrated mobile homes and levelled several modern frame homes. One frame house was swept clean off its foundation, with only the roof left ... | F4 14 mi x 1,000 yd | 1 | 20 | $16M |
| 1999-07-18 | HeatMassac County · forecast zone Massac Prolonged heat and humidity during the latter half of July took its toll on the unprepared. Four fatalities were blamed on the heat, including two in Wayne County. Near Fairfield, a 78-year-old man died after driving his riding lawn mower to a trucking firm to gather landscape rocks. The man was found near a pile of ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1987-05-30 | Thunderstorm WindMassac County | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1997-07-25 | HeatMassac County · forecast zone Massac High temperatures were in the upper 90s for three consecutive days. High humidity raised the heat index to near 110 degrees. About six people were treated for heat problems at area hospitals. Most of the symptoms were attributed to heat exhaustion. An increase in heat-related vehicle problems occurred. | 0 | 6 | – | |
| 1995-06-08 | Thunderstorm WindCountywide, Massac County Numerous trees were downed across roads, houses, cars, and power lines. Some roads were blocked. Two people sustained bumps and bruises at an outdoor festival in Metropolis when a large tent was blown away. Winds estimated between 70 and 80 mph across much of the county downed power poles, power lines, and trees. Just ... | 0 | 5 | $484K | |
| 2005-07-21 | HeatMassac County · forecast zone Massac Several days of excessive heat and humidity caused a significant increase in heat-related illnesses. Hospitals reported that a majority of those treated were outdoor workers. The heat index peaked around 110 degrees each afternoon, and dropped to only around 80 degrees at night. True air temperatures reached the mid ... | 0 | 4 | – | |
| 2016-07-06 | TornadoMetropolis, Massac County A funnel cloud crossed the Ohio River from Kentucky, then touched down on the southwest edge of Metropolis a few blocks from the Ohio River. The most significant damage occurred along a residential street next to the city's elementary school. The school had window and roofing damage. The primary school received more ... | EF1 2.79 mi x 160 yd | 0 | 2 | $430K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-05-06 | TornadoHillerman, Massac County | F4 14 mi x 1,000 yd | 1 | 20 | $16M |
| 2009-01-26 | Winter StormMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | $15M | |
| 2008-09-14 | High WindMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $13M |
| 2013-11-17 | TornadoBrookport, Massac County | EF3 7.77 mi x 500 yd | 3 | 33 | $7.0M |
| 2008-02-11 | Winter StormMassac County · forecast zone Massac | 0 | 0 | $2.7M | |
| 2011-05-01 | FloodBrookport, Massac County | 0 | 0 | $2.6M | |
| 2019-02-10 | FloodJoppa, Massac County | 0 | 0 | $866K | |
| 2006-09-22 | TornadoMetropolis Municipal Airport, Massac County | F3 3.5 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 2 | $732K |
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 Massac 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 27 | 36 | 48 | 15 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 33 | 26 | 41 | 19 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | – | – | – | – | 7 | 22 | 55 | 37 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 10 | 24 | 44 | 22 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 6 | 12 | 41 z | 25 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 2 | 17 | 32 | 14 |
Heat in the 2010s: 41 records against 12 in the decade before, 41 of them forecast-zone records. Cells marked z rose mostly through zone records. The local National Weather Service office files these once per forecast zone, so a change in how it draws its zones or splits a storm into records moves this count as much as the weather does; read it beside the Massac County days with a record above.
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 Massac County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 102 · Feb 86 · Mar 70 · Apr 95 · May 74 · Jun 63 · Jul 85 · Aug 52 · Sep 25 · Oct 34 · Nov 47 · Dec 72 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Massac County
FEMA's register lists 12 declarations that include Massac County: 9 major disasters, 3 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (4) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-26 | DR-4489 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3435 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2013-11-26 | DR-4157 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 2011-06-07 | DR-1991 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2009-03-02 | DR-1826 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2005-09-07 | EM-3230 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-02-01 | EM-3199 | Snowstorm | Record/Near Record Snow |
| 2003-05-15 | DR-1469 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2002-05-21 | DR-1416 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 1997-03-21 | DR-1170 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1993-07-09 | DR-997 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1973-04-26 | DR-373 | 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 Massac County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 126 flood or flash flood records for Massac County from 1996 to 2025, on 122 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Massac County ranks 1261st of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.4 million on 110 claims filed in Massac County; the most in one year was 62 in 2011. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 5 · 1981: 2 · 1982: 1 · 1983: 2 · 1984: 1 · 1990: 1 · 1991: 4 · 1997: 12 · 2002: 1 · 2008: 1 · 2011: 62 · 2013: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 1 · 2026: 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 Massac County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Massac County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $18.5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate | $8.4M | once in about 100 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $331K | 1.2 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $639K | 8.1 modeled event-days a year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $799K | 4 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $1.9M | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $79K | 6.6 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $858K | 11 modeled event-days a year |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $202K | 56 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 Massac 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
- Floods in IllinoisThe state's floods and flash floods, 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 Massac CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Massac County's FEMA declarations (CSV)12 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis