Morrow County, Ohio
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 39117 · population 34,943 · 406 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 370 records for Morrow County, Ohio from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 276 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (160 records). The deadliest single record is the June 13, 1981 tornado: 4 deaths and 56 injuries. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1965, 14 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds” on August 20, 2012.
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
- 370on 276 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 496 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $166Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 19strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 16latest 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 Morrow County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 160 since 1958. 51% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1958 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Ohio'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 | 160 | 131 | 1958-2026 | 0 | 1 | $4.9M | 52 of 88 |
| Hail | 79 | 57 | 1960-2026 | 0 | 0 | $301K | 38 of 88 |
| High wind and dust storms | 32 | 32 | 1996-2020 | 0 | 0 | $6.3M | 22 of 88 |
| Winter storms | 32 | 32 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 2 | $17M | 77 of 88 |
| Floods | 28 | 22 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 0 | $8.8M | 76 of 88 |
| Tornadoes | 19 | 18 | 1965-2026 | 4 | 92 | $120M | 23 of 88 |
| Extreme cold | 9 | 9 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | $47K | 28 of 88 |
| Drought | 5 | 5 | 1996-1999 | 0 | 0 | $8.9M | 26 of 88 |
| Lightning | 3 | 3 | 1998-2005 | 0 | 1 | $59K | 23 of 88 |
| Heat | 2 | 2 | 1999-1999 | 0 | 0 | – | 49 of 88 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 1997-1997 | 0 | 0 | $63K | 71 of 88 |
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 Morrow County had?
NOAA records 19 tornadoes in Morrow County from 1965 to 2026, the strongest rated F3, with 4 deaths and 92 injuries recorded in the county. That is 23rd of 88 Ohio 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 17 tornadoes whose track touched Morrow County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 19: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 8 people, 4 of them in Morrow County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981-06-13 13:23, as SPC files it | Cardington to Mount Gilead | F3 | 3.8 mi | 4 |
| 1965-04-11 22:30, as SPC files it | Magnetic Springs to Fulton | F2 | 22.2 mi | 4 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Ohio.
Every tornado record filed for Morrow County (19)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-26 | Mt Gilead, Morrow County | EF1 1.53 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $35K |
| 2022-06-13 | Williamsport, Morrow County | EF1 3.08 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $45K |
| 2022-06-13 | Chesterville, Morrow County | EF1 3.11 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2010-05-11 | Fargo, Morrow County | EF0 2.05 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $135K |
| 2007-08-20 | Shauck, Morrow County | EF1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $36K |
| 1996-08-08 | Cardington, Morrow County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $19K |
| 1995-05-24 | Mantua And, Morrow County | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 1992-07-12 | Morrow County | F1 0.1 mi x 73 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1990-06-22 | Morrow County | F2 3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $2.5M step |
| 1989-11-15 | Morrow County | F2 21 mi x 73 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1981-06-13 | Morrow County | F3 3.8 mi x 350 yd | 4 | 56 | $25M step |
| 1981-06-08 | Morrow County | F1 4.7 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1980-07-05 | Morrow County | F2 0.2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 1 | $25K step |
| 1976-06-21 | Morrow County | F0 0.1 mi x 3 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1973-06-28 | Morrow County | F0 0.2 mi x 167 yd | 0 | 0 | $30 step |
| 1973-05-10 | Morrow County | F2 17.3 mi x 267 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1970-05-14 | Morrow County | F2 3 mi x 700 yd | 0 | 7 | $250K step |
| 1970-05-13 | Morrow County | F2 | 0 | 5 | $3K step |
| 1965-04-11 | Morrow County | F2 9.9 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 22 | $2.5M 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 Morrow County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 6, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($25,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-06 | Thunderstorm WindSparta, Morrow County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-06 | Thunderstorm WindSparta, Morrow County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $25K |
| 2026-04-03 | Thunderstorm WindMt Gilead, Morrow County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-26 | Thunderstorm WindPulaskiville, Morrow County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2026-03-26 | Thunderstorm WindPulaskiville, Morrow County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-26 | HailWilliamsport, Morrow County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-26 | Thunderstorm WindWest Pt, Morrow County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-26 | HailSt James, Morrow County | 0.88 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-26 | HailIberia, Morrow County | 0.88 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-26 | Thunderstorm WindMt Gilead Airport, Morrow County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-26 | Thunderstorm WindEdison, Morrow County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-03-26 | TornadoMt Gilead, Morrow County | EF1 1.53 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $35K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981-06-13 | TornadoMorrow County | F3 3.8 mi x 350 yd | 4 | 56 | $25M step |
| 1965-04-11 | TornadoMorrow County | F2 9.9 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 22 | $2.5M step |
| 1970-05-14 | TornadoMorrow County | F2 3 mi x 700 yd | 0 | 7 | $250K step |
| 1970-05-13 | TornadoMorrow County | F2 | 0 | 5 | $3K step |
| 1999-01-02 | Winter StormMorrow County · forecast zone Morrow Snow changed to freezing rain and sleet, with a brief change to rain as temperatures rose slightly above freezing, and then back to snow. Temperatures dropped quickly into the teens causing the wet snow and ice to refreeze and creating significant ice on the ground, roads and sidewalks. Snow accumulations generally ... | 0 | 2 | $27K | |
| 2000-06-24 | LightningJohnsville, Morrow County Lightning struck a 40 year old woman near the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course or about fives miles north of Johnsville. The woman was outside standing near a metal fence when the lightning struck. The woman sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 1995-05-24 | Thunderstorm WindUnionville And, Morrow County Mt. Gilead,Trees were downed on the north side of town between state route 61 and City Road 102. | 0 | 1 | $77K | |
| 1990-06-22 | TornadoMorrow County | F2 3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $2.5M 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-01-05 | Ice StormMorrow County · forecast zone Morrow | 0 | 0 | $7.3M | |
| 2008-09-14 | High WindMorrow County · forecast zone Morrow | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $4.5M |
| 1998-06-27 | Flash FloodCountywide, Morrow County | 0 | 0 | $3.2M | |
| 1998-06-27 | Flash FloodCountywide, Morrow County | 0 | 0 | $3.1M | |
| 2012-06-29 | Thunderstorm WindClimax, Morrow County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2.6M |
| 2008-03-07 | Winter StormMorrow County · forecast zone Morrow | 0 | 0 | $685K | |
| 2004-01-25 | Winter StormMorrow County · forecast zone Morrow | 0 | 0 | $469K | |
| 2011-02-28 | FloodIberia, Morrow County | 0 | 0 | $394K |
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 $25M, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 13, 1981 (tornado, Morrow County, 4 killed).
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 Morrow 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 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 38 | 47 | 30 | 28 |
| Hail | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 20 | 24 | 10 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 19 | 6 | 1 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 8 | 14 | 6 | 4 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 9 | 8 | 8 | 3 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
51% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1958 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 19 · Feb 18 · Mar 30 · Apr 24 · May 56 · Jun 98 · Jul 48 · Aug 33 · Sep 7 · Oct 4 · Nov 14 · Dec 19 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Morrow County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Morrow County: 10 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (8) and snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-31 | DR-4507 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3457 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2012-08-20 | DR-4077 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2012-06-30 | EM-3346 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| 2008-10-24 | DR-1805 | Severe Storm | Severe Wind Storm Associated With Tropical Depression Ike |
| 2008-04-24 | EM-3286 | Snowstorm | Record Snow and Near Record Snow |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3250 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-02-15 | DR-1580 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2005-01-11 | EM-3198 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2004-09-19 | DR-1556 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1998-06-30 | DR-1227 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 1990-06-06 | DR-870 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1987-07-17 | DR-796 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1981-06-30 | DR-642 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding & Tornadoes |
| 1978-01-26 | EM-3055 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| 1965-04-14 | DR-191 | Tornado | Tornadoes & Severe Storms |
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 Morrow County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 28 flood or flash flood records for Morrow County from 1996 to 2021, on 22 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Morrow County ranks 2400th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $71,000 on 9 claims filed in Morrow County; the most in one year was 3 in 2011. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2002: 1 · 2005: 1 · 2009: 1 · 2011: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2022: 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 Morrow County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Morrow County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $8.8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $223K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $415K | 3.6 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $84K | 9.1 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $6.0M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $454K | 2.2 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $939K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $158K | 42 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Very Low | $1K | once in about 12 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Morrow 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 OhioEvery Ohio tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in OhioThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Ohio recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Morrow CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Morrow County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis