Menard County, Illinois
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 17129 · population 12,284 · 314 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 367 records for Menard County, Illinois from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 262 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (145 records). The most damaging was the September 1, 2012 drought ($22.4 million 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 December 13, 2021.
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
- 367on 262 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 09 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $53Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 17strongest EF3
- FEMA declarations
- 12latest 2021
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 Menard County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 145 since 1966. 53% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1966 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 | 145 | 106 | 1966-2026 | 0 | 4 | $12M | 16 of 102 |
| Hail | 81 | 64 | 1966-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 17 of 102 |
| Winter storms | 46 | 46 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 2 | $161K | 48 of 102 |
| Floods | 27 | 19 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 2 | $2.1M | 74 of 102 |
| Tornadoes | 17 | 13 | 1973-2026 | 0 | 1 | $17M | 63 of 102 |
| Heat | 15 | 15 | 1997-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 41 of 102 |
| Drought | 13 | 13 | 2012-2026 | 0 | 0 | $22M | 27 of 102 |
| High wind and dust storms | 13 | 13 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $52K | 31 of 102 |
| Extreme cold | 8 | 8 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 51 of 102 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2009-2009 | 0 | 0 | $69K | 56 of 102 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2008-2008 | 0 | 0 | – | 55 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 Menard County had?
NOAA records 17 tornadoes in Menard County from 1973 to 2026, the strongest rated EF3, with 0 deaths and 1 injury 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 16 tornadoes whose track touched Menard County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 17: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person, 0 of them in Menard County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-04-08 19:45, as SPC files it | Ashland | F1 | 9.3 mi | 1 |
| 2010-12-31 12:37, as SPC files it | Petersburg | EF3 | 3.63 mi | 0 |
| 1995-05-09 16:22, as SPC files it | Elkhart | F3 | 50 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Illinois.
Every tornado record filed for Menard County (17)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-17 | Lincns New Salem St, Menard County | EF1 3.55 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Athens, Menard County | EF1 2.53 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Tallula, Menard County | EF1 4.82 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-18 | Tallula, Menard County | EFU 1.31 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-18 | Atterberry, Menard County | EF1 1.41 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-18 | Tallula, Menard County | EF1 1.31 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2021-12-10 | Atterberry, Menard County | EF2 4.56 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-05-22 | Fancy Prairie, Menard County | EF1 0.95 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-06-07 | Culver, Menard County | EF0 0.04 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $19K |
| 2011-04-15 | Culver, Menard County | EF1 1.72 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $590K |
| 2011-04-15 | Athens, Menard County | EF0 1.24 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $13K |
| 2010-12-31 | Lincns New Salem St, Menard County | EF3 3.63 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $16M |
| 2006-04-02 | Greenview, Menard County | F0 0.3 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1999-04-08 | Tallula, Menard County | F0 0.5 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-05-12 | Petersburg, Menard County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-07-28 | Athens, Menard County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1973-06-16 | Menard County | F0 | 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 Menard County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 7, 2015 tornado ($19,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
A tornado briefly touched down 8 miles east of Petersburg at 8:22 PM CDT. The tornado knocked down several trees and damaged an old barn. An anemometer at the residence where the damage occurred measured a peak wind of 77 mph. The tornado quickly dissipated by 8:23 PM CDT.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 578696)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-17 | Thunderstorm WindPetersburg, Menard County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-17 | Thunderstorm WindHubley, Menard County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-17 | TornadoLincns New Salem St, Menard County | EF1 3.55 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindPetersburg, Menard County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindAthens, Menard County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindPetersburg, Menard County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindAthens, Menard County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | TornadoAthens, Menard County | EF1 2.53 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | TornadoTallula, Menard County | EF1 4.82 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-08 | Flash FloodTallula, Menard County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-04 | HailPetersburg, Menard County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-04 | HailAtterberry, Menard 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-06-28 | Thunderstorm WindPetersburg, Menard County Thunderstorm winds blew down a beer tent at the county fair. The tent injured 3 people, one seriously. Also, numerous trees, tree limbs, and power lines were blown down countywide. | 0 | 3 | – | |
| 2008-07-12 | Flash FloodAthens, Menard County Two 8-inch diameter culverts were washed out on Harvest Road southwest of Athens. A car plunged into the void, resulting in two minor injuries. | 0 | 2 | $55K | |
| 2006-12-01 | Winter StormMenard County · forecast zone Menard Declared state and federal disaster area. Snow accumulation of 5 to 8 inches fell on top of significant ice accumulation. Two women were injured in a vehicular accident. | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2010-12-31 | TornadoLincns New Salem St, Menard County A tornado touched down on the west side of Lake Petersburg at 12:37 PM CST, then tracked northeast over the lake and across Sunny Acres Road, before lifting southeast of the intersection of Tice Road and Illinois 123 at 12:40 PM CST. A total of 29 homes sustained significant structural damage, four of which could not ... | EF3 3.63 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $16M |
| 1997-07-19 | Thunderstorm WindAthens, Menard County Thunderstorm winds blew a tent over in a park in Athens resulting in a minor injury to one person. Also, numerous power lines and tree limbs were blown down. No other injuries were reported and no damage estimate was available. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-09-01 | DroughtMenard County · forecast zone Menard | 0 | 0 | $22M | |
| 2010-12-31 | TornadoLincns New Salem St, Menard County | EF3 3.63 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $16M |
| 1999-08-12 | Thunderstorm WindPetersburg, Menard County | 0 | 0 | $11M | |
| 1996-05-08 | Flash FloodCountywide, Menard County | 0 | 0 | $1.9M | |
| 2011-04-15 | TornadoCulver, Menard County | EF1 1.72 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $590K |
| 2011-06-04 | Thunderstorm WindSweet Water, Menard County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $262K |
| 2008-07-12 | Flash FloodAthens, Menard County | 0 | 2 | $55K | |
| 2011-04-15 | Thunderstorm WindSweet Water, Menard County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $26K |
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 Menard 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 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 30 | 40 | 46 | 16 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 33 | 21 | 12 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 13 | 9 | 12 | 12 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 1 | 12 | 12 | 2 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
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 severe thunderstorm wind events since 1966 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 27 · Feb 18 · Mar 25 · Apr 39 · May 70 · Jun 69 · Jul 41 · Aug 28 · Sep 11 · Oct 9 · Nov 15 · Dec 15 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Menard County
FEMA's register lists 12 declarations that include Menard County: 6 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for snowstorm (4) and tornado (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-12-13 | EM-3577 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 2020-03-26 | DR-4489 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3435 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2011-03-17 | DR-1960 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2006-12-29 | EM-3269 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2005-09-07 | EM-3230 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2002-05-21 | DR-1416 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 2001-01-17 | EM-3161 | Snowstorm | Illinois Winter Snow Storms |
| 1999-01-08 | EM-3134 | Snowstorm | Il-Winter Storm 1/1/99 |
| 1996-05-06 | DR-1112 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1994-04-26 | DR-1025 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and 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 Menard County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 27 flood or flash flood records for Menard County from 1996 to 2026, on 19 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Menard County ranks 1838th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $162,000 on 35 claims filed in Menard County; the most in one year was 12 in 1994. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 5 · 1981: 1 · 1982: 4 · 1994: 12 · 2002: 6 · 2008: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2018: 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 Menard County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Menard County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $8.1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $737K | 3.8 modeled event-days a year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $765K | 5.1 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $608K | once in about 449 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $4K | once in about 11 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $495K | 8.1 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $945K | 3.6 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.2M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $240K | 3.6 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 Menard 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 Menard CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Menard County's FEMA declarations (CSV)12 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis