PlainHazard

Otsego County, New York

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 36077 · population 58,494 · 1,002 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 849 records for Otsego County, New York from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 458 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (454 records). The deadliest single record is the May 31, 1998 thunderstorm wind: 1 death, 5 injuries and $181,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 27 declarations naming the county since 1993, 23 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Henri” on August 22, 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
849on 458 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
322 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$185Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
14strongest F3
FEMA declarations
27latest 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 Otsego County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 454 since 1961. 52% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1961 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among New York's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.

Otsego County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 454 218 1961-2026 2 19 $3.7M 33 of 58
Hail 134 55 1990-2025 0 0 $18K 39 of 58
Winter storms 119 118 1996-2026 0 0 $2.7M 50 of 58
Floods 78 45 1996-2025 0 0 $168M 50 of 58
Extreme cold 21 20 1996-2026 1 0 $48K 45 of 58
High wind and dust storms 16 16 1996-2019 0 0 $882K 55 of 58
Tornadoes 14 13 1958-2026 0 3 $9.6M 24 of 58
Heat 4 4 2001-2012 0 0 – 39 of 58
Drought 3 3 1998-2001 0 0 – 47 of 58
Lightning 3 3 2001-2003 0 0 $11K 46 of 58
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 2 1 2015-2015 0 0 – 34 of 58
Heavy rain 1 1 2000-2000 0 0 – 52 of 58

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 Otsego County had?

NOAA records 14 tornadoes in Otsego County from 1958 to 2026, the strongest rated F3, with 0 deaths and 3 injuries recorded in the county. That is 24th of 58 New York 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 13 tornadoes whose track touched Otsego County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 14: 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.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Otsego County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1998-05-31 16:30, as SPC files itMilfordF35 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in New York.

Every tornado record filed for Otsego County (14)
Every tornado recorded in Otsego County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-30 Cardtown, Otsego County EF1 8.39 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $15K
2011-07-29 Burlington Flats, Otsego County EF0 0.51 mi x 120 yd 0 0 –
2011-04-26 Gilbertsville, Otsego County EF1 4.84 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $131K
2002-05-31 Cooperstown, Otsego County F0 3 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $16K
1998-05-31 Laurens, Otsego County F3 5 mi x 800 yd 0 3 $1.4M
1998-05-31 Portlandville, Otsego County F0 0.7 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $136K
1992-07-05 Otsego County F1 1.2 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $2.5M step
1987-07-25 Otsego County F0 0.2 mi x 3 yd 0 0 $25K step
1987-06-22 Otsego County F0 0.3 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $25K step
1986-06-16 Otsego County F0 0.5 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $250K step
1985-07-26 Otsego County F1 5 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $3K step
1976-06-16 Otsego County F2 0 0 $250K step
1961-08-16 Otsego County F0 0 0 $25K step
1958-08-10 Otsego County F1 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 Otsego County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 30, 2026 tornado ($15,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

NWS survey started where there was sporadic tree damage in Pittsfield and south for a few miles before reaching an area that had much more concentrated damage. A narrow corridor of damage was found just off County highway 46 a few hundred yards into the woods. This concentrated area of damage followed the road. Accounts of residents helped confirm that this was likely a tornado. Damage became more sporadic downhill towards Elm Grove and State Route 51, but was still in line with the damage observed already. In West Laurens, the amount of tree damage picked up, likely from outflow winds in town. Headed south of town down Crawford Road, the damage became more concentrated once again. Many of the trees along and east of Crawford road were also falling in a southwest direction with tree damage not concentrated and more random. …
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1354453)
The 12 most recent records kept for Otsego County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-30 TornadoCardtown, Otsego County EF1 8.39 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $15K
2026-06-30 Thunderstorm WindLaurens, Otsego County 50 kt wind 0 0 $2K
2026-06-30 Thunderstorm WindNew Lisbon, Otsego County 50 kt wind 0 0 $5K
2026-06-18 Thunderstorm WindEast Worcester, Otsego County 50 kt wind 0 0 $10K
2026-06-18 Thunderstorm WindCherry Vly, Otsego County 50 kt wind 0 0 $500
2026-06-18 Thunderstorm WindCherry Vly, Otsego County 50 kt wind 0 0 $2K
2026-06-18 Thunderstorm WindFly Creek, Otsego County 50 kt wind 0 0 $1K
2026-06-18 Thunderstorm WindCooperstown, Otsego County 50 kt wind 0 0 $500
2026-06-18 Thunderstorm WindWells Bridge, Otsego County 50 kt wind 0 0 $1K
2026-06-18 Thunderstorm WindWest End, Otsego County 50 kt wind 0 0 $500
2026-05-29 Thunderstorm WindMorris, Otsego County 50 kt wind 0 0 $2K
2026-02-08 Extreme Cold/Wind ChillOtsego County · forecast zone Otsego 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

Records with deaths or injuries in Otsego County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1998-05-31 Thunderstorm WindCooperstown, Otsego County Severe thunderstorms moved across the county during the afternoon. Trees and wires were blown down in Cooperstown and Laurens between 4:30 and 4:35 pm EDT. Numerous trees and wires were also downed by the wind in Schenevus at 4:45 pm and Oneonta at 4:50 pm EDT. Transmission towers and large signs were also toppled in ... 1 5 $181K
2022-01-26 Cold/Wind ChillOtsego County · forecast zone Otsego A college student walked onto the grounds of a bus garage at around 2:15am but was not found until 7am. He had suffered from long-term exposure to sub-zero temperatures and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Temperatures early in the morning ranged from -8 to -12°F. 1 0 –
1986-06-16 Thunderstorm WindOtsego County 1 0 –
1998-05-31 Thunderstorm WindCooperstown, Otsego County Severe thunderstorms produced widespread damage across the county. Trees and wires were blown down in Cooperstown and northern Burlington Flats between 3:30 and 3:40 pm EDT. Several roads were blocked due to the downed trees and wires. People were trapped in their vehicles by falling trees and some sustained injury ... 0 10 $226K
1998-05-31 TornadoLaurens, Otsego County A supercell thunderstorm became tornadic as it crossed southern portions of the county around 6:30 pm EDT. The storm cut nearly a 5 mile path from Laurens eastward into Milford township. This twister incurred major damage to heavily forested areas. Thousands of trees were laid out with the width of damage varying up ... F3 5 mi x 800 yd 0 3 $1.4M
2023-07-03 Thunderstorm WindSchenevus, Otsego County Strong thunderstorm winds knocked down a tree onto a vehicle, injuring the driver. 50 kt wind 0 1 $2K
2010-07-17 Thunderstorm WindLaurens, Otsego County Numerous trees were blown down in the town of Laurens. One tree fell on a golf cart, injuring one person. 50 kt wind 0 1 $3K
2007-08-03 Thunderstorm WindEdmeston, Otsego County Several trees were blown down including a tree that fell on a motorcyclist. 50 kt wind 0 1 $4K
The costliest records in Otsego County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2011-09-07 FloodUnadilla, Otsego County 0 0 $76M
1996-01-19 Flash FloodCountywide, Otsego County 0 0 $10M
2003-04-04 Ice StormOtsego County · forecast zone Otsego 0 0 $1.6M
1998-05-31 TornadoLaurens, Otsego County F3 5 mi x 800 yd 0 3 $1.4M
2011-04-26 Flash FloodGilbertsville, Otsego County 0 0 $1.3M
2005-04-02 Flash FloodCountywide, Otsego County 0 0 $756K
1998-05-31 Thunderstorm WindCooperstown, Otsego County 0 10 $226K
1998-05-31 Thunderstorm WindCooperstown, Otsego County 1 5 $181K

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: July 5, 1992 (tornado, Otsego 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 Otsego 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).

Otsego County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind046479885101113
Hail00005675012
Winter storms––––24462623
Floods––––10252122
Extreme cold––––51105
High wind and dust storms––––6730

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).

What time of year?

52% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1961 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 46 · Feb 32 · Mar 38 · Apr 34 · May 75 · Jun 174 · Jul 186 · Aug 117 · Sep 56 · Oct 37 · Nov 22 · Dec 32 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Otsego County

FEMA's register lists 27 declarations that include Otsego County: 17 major disasters, 10 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (12) and hurricane (4).

Declarations including Otsego County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2021-08-22EM-3565HurricaneHurricane Henri
2020-03-20DR-4480BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3434BiologicalCovid-19
2019-12-19DR-4472Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2017-07-12DR-4322SnowstormSevere Winter Storm and Snowstorm
2014-07-08DR-4180Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2013-07-12DR-4129FloodSevere Storms and Flooding
2012-10-28EM-3351HurricaneHurricane Sandy
2011-09-13DR-4031Severe StormRemnants of Tropical Storm Lee
2011-09-08EM-3341Severe StormRemnants of Tropical Storm Lee
2011-08-31DR-4020HurricaneHurricane Irene
2010-04-16DR-1899Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2008-12-18EM-3299Severe StormSevere Winter Storm
2006-12-12DR-1670Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2006-07-01DR-1650Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2005-09-30EM-3262HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2005-04-19DR-1589Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2004-08-03DR-1534Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2003-08-23EM-3186OtherPower Outage
2003-05-12DR-1467Severe Ice StormIce Storm
2003-02-25EM-3173SnowstormSnowstorms
2001-09-11DR-1391FireFires and Explosions
2000-10-11EM-3155OtherWest Nile Virus
2000-07-21DR-1335Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
1998-06-16DR-1222Severe StormSevere Storms and Tornadoes
1996-01-24DR-1095FloodSevere Storms and Flooding
1993-03-17EM-3107SnowstormSevere Blizzard

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 Otsego County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 78 flood or flash flood records for Otsego County from 1996 to 2025, on 45 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Otsego County ranks 537th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

Named storms on Otsego County's flood and tropical record
StormBeganRecordsDeaths in the county
Tropical Storm Lee2011-09-0720

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $9.0 million on 463 claims filed in Otsego County; the most in one year was 196 in 2006. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1978: 8 · 1979: 20 · 1980: 1 · 1981: 6 · 1983: 1 · 1986: 3 · 1987: 1 · 1993: 6 · 1996: 9 · 1998: 2 · 1999: 3 · 2000: 3 · 2001: 1 · 2003: 1 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 4 · 2006: 196 · 2007: 1 · 2009: 3 · 2010: 3 · 2011: 165 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 7 · 2014: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 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 Otsego County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Otsego County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $31.5 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Otsego County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
Riverine FloodingRelatively Moderate$24M1.5 a year (modeled)
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$4.5M4.8 a year (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively Moderate$118K22 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$553K1.3 a year (modeled)
LandslideRelatively Low$11K1.2 a year (modeled)
HurricaneRelatively Low$302Konce in about 49 years (modeled)
LightningRelatively Low$207K28 a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Low$979Konce in about 4 years (modeled)

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.

Counties that share a border with Otsego County

  1. Herkimer County 1,800
  2. Oneida County 1,610
  3. Montgomery County 968
  4. Otsego County 849
  5. Chenango County 785
  6. Delaware County 759
  7. Schoharie County 757
  8. Madison County 622

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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