Mecosta County, Michigan
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 26107 · population 39,663 · 555 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 218 records for Mecosta County, Michigan from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 186 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (75 records). The most damaging was the January 30, 2013 flood ($5.8 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 13 declarations naming the county since 1975, 11 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
- 218on 186 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 026 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $60Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 11strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 13latest 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 Mecosta County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 75 since 1997. 53% of its winter storm records since 1997 fell in January and February. The rank column places the county among Michigan'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 75 | 74 | 1997-2025 | 0 | 0 | $2.0M | 48 of 83 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 69 | 59 | 1964-2025 | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | 48 of 83 |
| Hail | 39 | 32 | 1963-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.0M | 53 of 83 |
| Floods | 15 | 14 | 1997-2022 | 0 | 0 | $16M | 21 of 83 |
| Tornadoes | 11 | 11 | 1966-2021 | 0 | 22 | $26M | 42 of 83 |
| High wind and dust storms | 7 | 7 | 1997-2017 | 0 | 0 | $12M | 67 of 83 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 1996-2009 | 0 | 4 | $94K | 33 of 83 |
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 Mecosta County had?
NOAA records 11 tornadoes in Mecosta County from 1966 to 2021, the strongest rated F3, with 0 deaths and 22 injuries recorded in the county. That is 42nd of 83 Michigan 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 12 tornadoes whose track touched Mecosta County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 11: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968-04-23 12:53, as SPC files it | Big Rapids to Lakeview | F3 | 60.9 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Michigan.
Every tornado record filed for Mecosta County (11)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-06-26 | Sylvester, Mecosta County | EF1 2.86 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $109K |
| 2018-09-01 | Rustford, Mecosta County | EF0 0.75 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $176K |
| 2013-11-17 | Big Rapids, Mecosta County | EF0 0.25 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-10-06 | Big Rapids, Mecosta County | F1 100 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 12 | $2.2M |
| 1991-03-27 | Mecosta County | F1 1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1985-06-08 | Mecosta County | F2 24 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1984-07-10 | Mecosta County | F1 4.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $30 step |
| 1974-07-14 | Mecosta County | F1 1.5 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1974-06-09 | Mecosta County | F2 1.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 2 | $250K step |
| 1968-04-23 | Mecosta County | F3 9.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 8 | $2.5M step |
| 1966-04-20 | Mecosta County | F2 0.1 mi x 33 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 Mecosta County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the May 11, 2022 flood ($2.5 million in damage in 2025 dollars).
Flooding from heavy rain resulted in road closures and damage to roads, bridges and culverts in Big Rapids with businesses and public spaces impacted. Ferris State University had multiple buildings take on water.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1068663)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-29 | Winter StormMecosta County · forecast zone Mecosta | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-26 | Winter StormMecosta County · forecast zone Mecosta | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-16 | HailRemus, Mecosta County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-16 | HailRemus, Mecosta County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-16 | HailBig Rapids Airport, Mecosta County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-15 | Thunderstorm WindBig Rapids, Mecosta County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2022-05-11 | FloodBig Rapids, Mecosta County | 0 | 0 | $2.5M | |
| 2021-06-26 | TornadoSylvester, Mecosta County | EF1 2.86 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $109K |
| 2020-04-07 | HailMorley, Mecosta County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $285K |
| 2019-02-05 | Ice StormMecosta County · forecast zone Mecosta | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 2018-09-01 | TornadoRustford, Mecosta County | EF0 0.75 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $176K |
| 2018-08-28 | Thunderstorm WindStanwood Cain Airport, Mecosta County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $235K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-10-06 | TornadoBig Rapids, Mecosta County Tornado touched down on Ferris State University in Big Rapids, 7 students injured, 5 others treated at a local hospital for minor injuries. The most serious injury was a broken arm. | F1 100 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 12 | $2.2M |
| 1968-04-23 | TornadoMecosta County | F3 9.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 8 | $2.5M step |
| 2009-07-22 | LightningBig Rapids, Mecosta County A non severe morning thunderstorm produced lightning that struck pine trees very close to where four construction workers were standing, injuring all of them. This occurred at Ferris State University in Big Rapids. | 0 | 4 | – | |
| 1974-06-09 | TornadoMecosta County | F2 1.5 mi x 100 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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-01-30 | FloodParis, Mecosta County | 0 | 0 | $5.8M | |
| 2022-05-11 | FloodBig Rapids, Mecosta County | 0 | 0 | $2.5M | |
| 1998-10-06 | TornadoBig Rapids, Mecosta County | F1 100 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 12 | $2.2M |
| 2011-04-04 | Flash FloodMorley Howe Airport, Mecosta County | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | |
| 2011-08-02 | Flash FloodBig Rapids, Mecosta County | 0 | 0 | $328K | |
| 2018-08-28 | Thunderstorm WindStanwood Cain Airport, Mecosta County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $235K |
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: April 23, 1968 (tornado, Mecosta 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 Mecosta 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 21 | 34 | 14 | 6 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 18 | 19 | 10 | 11 |
| Hail | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 14 | 7 | 6 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 2 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
53% of its winter storm records since 1997 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 22 · Feb 25 · Mar 14 · Apr 20 · May 25 · Jun 24 · Jul 31 · Aug 17 · Sep 5 · Oct 7 · Nov 9 · Dec 19 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Mecosta County
FEMA's register lists 13 declarations that include Mecosta County: 7 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (4) and snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-30 | DR-4925 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2020-03-27 | DR-4494 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3455 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2005-09-07 | EM-3225 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-06-30 | DR-1527 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2001-01-10 | EM-3160 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 1999-01-27 | EM-3137 | Snowstorm | Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99 |
| 1986-09-18 | DR-774 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1985-09-18 | DR-744 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1978-01-27 | EM-3057 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| 1977-03-02 | EM-3035 | Drought | Drought |
| 1976-03-19 | DR-495 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Icing & Flooding |
| 1975-09-30 | DR-486 | Flood | Severe Storms, High Winds & 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 Mecosta County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 15 flood or flash flood records for Mecosta County from 1997 to 2022, on 14 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Mecosta County ranks 1530th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.5 million on 64 claims filed in Mecosta County; the most in one year was 14 in 2013. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1986: 1 · 1988: 1 · 1989: 2 · 1991: 4 · 1994: 7 · 1995: 1 · 1997: 3 · 2004: 5 · 2005: 1 · 2006: 1 · 2007: 1 · 2008: 1 · 2009: 1 · 2011: 1 · 2013: 14 · 2014: 7 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2026: 7; 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 Mecosta County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Mecosta County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $23.7 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 | Very High | $11M | 2.3 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High | $424K | 19 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $1.5M | 2 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $4K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.6M | once in about 6 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $8.2M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $76K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $200K | 30 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 Mecosta 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 MichiganEvery Michigan tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Winter storms in MichiganThe state's winter storm records, by county, year and month
- The Michigan recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Mecosta CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Mecosta County's FEMA declarations (CSV)13 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis