Perkins County, Nebraska
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 31135 · population 2,858 · 883 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 662 records for Perkins County, Nebraska from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 431 days; the most frequent are hail reports (332 records). The deadliest single record is the February 3, 2012 blizzard, filed for the forecast zone Perkins, which covers the county: 1 death. FEMA has issued 10 declarations naming the county since 2001, 8 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms and Flooding” on July 15, 2010.
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
- 662on 431 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 14 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $71Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 39strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 10latest 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 Perkins County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 332 since 1960. 50% of its hail reports since 1960 fell in May and June. The rank column places the county among Nebraska'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 332 | 193 | 1960-2026 | 0 | 0 | $42M | 38 of 93 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 117 | 89 | 1962-2026 | 0 | 0 | $6.9M | 66 of 93 |
| Drought | 55 | 55 | 2012-2026 | 0 | 0 | $3.2M | 42 of 93 |
| High wind and dust storms | 48 | 48 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $575K | 43 of 93 |
| Winter storms | 46 | 46 | 1996-2023 | 1 | 0 | – | 83 of 93 |
| Tornadoes | 39 | 31 | 1951-2024 | 0 | 1 | $14M | 55 of 93 |
| Extreme cold | 11 | 11 | 2011-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 80 of 93 |
| Floods | 11 | 10 | 1997-2019 | 0 | 0 | $4.0M | 73 of 93 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2005-2005 | 0 | 0 | $3K | 64 of 93 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2023-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 81 of 93 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 3 | $129K | 35 of 93 |
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 Perkins County had?
NOAA records 39 tornadoes in Perkins County from 1951 to 2024, the strongest rated F3, 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 41 tornadoes whose track touched Perkins County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 39: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-05-02 18:00, as SPC files it | Grant | F3 | 13 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Nebraska.
Every tornado record filed for Perkins County (39)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-23 | Madrid, Perkins County | EFU 3.12 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2022-05-27 | Grant, Perkins County | EFU 0.01 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2022-05-16 | Grant, Perkins County | EFU 0.01 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2020-07-08 | Grant, Perkins County | EFU 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2020-07-08 | Venango, Perkins County | EFU 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2020-07-08 | Grant, Perkins County | EFU 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-06-06 | Grant, Perkins County | EF0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-05-16 | Venango, Perkins County | EF0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-07-14 | Grant, Perkins County | EF0 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2007-03-28 | Brandon, Perkins County | EF1 2.34 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $21K |
| 2007-03-28 | Brandon, Perkins County | EF0 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2007-03-28 | Brandon, Perkins County | EF1 1.48 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $14K |
| 2007-03-28 | Grant, Perkins County | EF2 15.93 mi x 900 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.7M |
| 2002-08-24 | Venango, Perkins County | F0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 1999-07-02 | Grant, Perkins County | F1 14 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 1 | $3.9M |
| 1998-05-21 | Grant, Perkins County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1997-08-21 | Venango, Perkins County | F0 11 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1997-08-21 | Venango, Perkins County | F0 2.3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-06-05 | Madrid, Perkins County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1995-05-21 | Elsie, Perkins County | F0 0.5 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1995-05-21 | To, Perkins County | F2 5 mi x 1,000 yd | 0 | 0 | $678K |
| 1991-06-01 | Perkins County | F1 2 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1991-05-29 | Perkins County | F0 0.2 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1991-05-16 | Perkins County | F0 0.2 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1991-05-16 | Perkins County | F0 0.2 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1991-05-02 | Perkins County | F3 13 mi x 173 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1990-06-15 | Perkins County | F0 0.2 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1990-06-01 | Perkins County | F1 0.5 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1988-05-30 | Perkins County | F1 0.2 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1984-06-11 | Perkins County | F1 14 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1976-06-23 | Perkins County | F0 0.2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1974-07-27 | Perkins County | F0 2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1969-06-24 | Perkins County | F2 9.9 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1967-06-14 | Perkins County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1964-06-21 | Perkins County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 1958-07-18 | Perkins County | 0 | 0 | $25K step | |
| 1957-05-24 | Perkins County | 0 | 0 | $3K step | |
| 1957-04-22 | Perkins County | 0 | 0 | $250 step | |
| 1951-07-07 | Perkins County | F0 5.1 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 Perkins County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 24, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($2.5 million in damage in 2025 dollars).
Delayed report. VFD reports multiple pivots overturned in the area. Significant building damage from apparent straight line winds. Time estimated from radar. Emergency management and print media reports damage to homes, vehicles and severe damage to crops.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1351428)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-24 | Thunderstorm WindMadrid, Perkins County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-24 | Thunderstorm WindMadrid, Perkins County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-24 | Thunderstorm WindGrant, Perkins County | 51 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-24 | Thunderstorm WindGrant, Perkins County | 67 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-24 | Thunderstorm WindMadrid, Perkins County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2.5M |
| 2026-06-24 | Thunderstorm WindMadrid, Perkins County | 71 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $25K |
| 2026-06-24 | HailGrant, Perkins County | 2.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-24 | HailGrant, Perkins County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtPerkins County · forecast zone Perkins | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-30 | HailElsie, Perkins County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtPerkins County · forecast zone Perkins | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtPerkins County · forecast zone Perkins | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-02-03 | BlizzardPerkins County · forecast zone Perkins Blizzard conditions occurred across Perkins County from the mid morning to early afternoon hours on February 3rd. Nearby Ogallala AWOS reported moderate snow and north winds of 20 to 35 mph with visibilities of a quarter mile or less from 915 a.m. MST until 1230 p.m. MST. Considerable blowing and drifting continued ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2012-10-18 | WildfirePerkins County · forecast zone Perkins A wildfire fanned by high winds that initiated in Keith County caused a wildfire to quickly spread southeast, crossing Interstate 80 and then burning for an additional 12 miles southeast into northeast Perkins County. The wildfire reached up to 1.5 miles wide. The wildfire destroyed two occupied homes, one abandoned ... | 0 | 3 | $129K | |
| 1999-07-02 | TornadoGrant, Perkins County A tornado touched down 9 miles south southwest of Grant and lifted 1 mile south of Madrid. One man sustained minor injuries when his pickup was struck. The pickup was tossed and whirled around. The pickup was a total loss. Other damage included the destruction or damage to 30 center pivot irrigation systems and ... | F1 14 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 1 | $3.9M |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-06-25 | HailGrant, Perkins County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $26M |
| 1996-06-05 | HailPaxton, Perkins County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $5.6M |
| 1999-07-02 | TornadoGrant, Perkins County | F1 14 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 1 | $3.9M |
| 1996-07-15 | Thunderstorm WindMadrid, Perkins County | 0 | 0 | $3.0M | |
| 2026-06-24 | Thunderstorm WindMadrid, Perkins County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2.5M |
| 1999-08-10 | Flash FloodCountywide, Perkins County | 0 | 0 | $2.0M | |
| 1996-07-18 | HailGrant, Perkins County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $1.9M |
| 2007-03-28 | TornadoGrant, Perkins County | EF2 15.93 mi x 900 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.7M |
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: May 2, 1991 (tornado, Perkins 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 Perkins 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 0 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 69 | 108 | 97 | 36 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 13 | 19 | 37 | 32 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 25 | 30 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 3 | 15 | 16 | 14 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 10 | 18 | 14 | 4 |
| Tornadoes | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
50% of its hail reports since 1960 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 18 · Feb 19 · Mar 30 · Apr 41 · May 117 · Jun 153 · Jul 123 · Aug 84 · Sep 22 · Oct 21 · Nov 15 · Dec 19 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Perkins County
FEMA's register lists 10 declarations that include Perkins County: 8 major disasters, 2 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (7) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-04 | DR-4521 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3483 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2010-07-15 | DR-1924 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2009-07-31 | DR-1853 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 2007-08-29 | DR-1721 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2007-01-07 | DR-1674 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 2006-01-26 | DR-1627 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3245 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuees |
| 2003-07-21 | DR-1480 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 2001-05-16 | DR-1373 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes |
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.
FEMA's modeled risk for Perkins County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Perkins County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $4.0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $1.4M | 7.7 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $829K | 92 modeled event-days a year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $400K | 2.8 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | $391K | 4.5 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Very Low | $314K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | $22K | 14 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $9K | once in about 2,844 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Very Low | $66K | 44 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 Perkins 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 NebraskaEvery Nebraska tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Hail in NebraskaThe state's hail reports, by county, year and month
- The Nebraska recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Perkins CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Perkins County's FEMA declarations (CSV)10 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis