Posey County, Indiana
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 18129 · population 25,205 · 409 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 946 records for Posey County, Indiana from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 810 days; the most frequent are floods and flash floods (261 records). 505 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the January 29, 2008 tornado: 2 deaths and $274,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 19 declarations naming the county since 1977, 17 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on January 24, 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
- 946on 810 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 24 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $38Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 23strongest EF3
- FEMA declarations
- 19latest 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 Posey County most?
The most frequent records are floods and flash floods: 261 since 1996. The rank column places the county among Indiana'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floods | 261 | 229 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $10M | 2 of 91 |
| Winter storms | 125 | 124 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $2.9M | 9 of 91 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 119 | 101 | 1958-2024 | 0 | 3 | $2.9M | 72 of 91 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 92 | 90 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 of 91 |
| Hail | 80 | 62 | 1961-2025 | 0 | 0 | $3.4M | 29 of 91 |
| High wind and dust storms | 73 | 73 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $8.3M | 4 of 91 |
| Extreme cold | 71 | 71 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 5 of 91 |
| Heat | 70 | 70 | 1997-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 5 of 91 |
| Tornadoes | 23 | 17 | 1958-2024 | 2 | 1 | $4.3M | 68 of 91 |
| Drought | 22 | 22 | 1999-2024 | 0 | 0 | $4.3M | 4 of 91 |
| Heavy rain | 10 | 10 | 2005-2013 | 0 | 0 | – | 6 of 91 |
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 Posey County had?
NOAA records 23 tornadoes in Posey County from 1958 to 2024, the strongest rated EF3, with 2 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 25 tornadoes whose track touched Posey County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 23: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 3 people, 2 of them in Posey County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-01-29 17:07, as SPC files it | Griffin to Cynthiana | EF2 | 7.01 mi | 2 |
| 2017-02-28 21:55, as SPC files it | Fort Branch to OaklandCrossed IL, IN | EF3 | 44.13 mi | 1 |
| 2024-07-09 15:18, as SPC files it | Mount Vernon | EF3 | 5.84 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Indiana.
Every tornado record filed for Posey County (23)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-07-09 | Poseyville, Posey County | EF0 1.7 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2024-07-09 | Springfield, Posey County | EF1 3.33 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $7K |
| 2024-07-09 | Mt Vernon Airport, Posey County | EF3 5.84 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.0M |
| 2024-04-02 | Wadesville, Posey County | EF2 1.33 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $141K |
| 2024-04-02 | New Harmony, Posey County | EF2 11.56 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $235K |
| 2024-04-02 | Savah, Posey County | EF2 9.28 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $122K |
| 2024-04-02 | Hovey, Posey County | EF0 0.38 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $941 |
| 2020-07-15 | Lippe, Posey County | EF1 2.38 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 0 | $103K |
| 2020-04-25 | Mt Vernon, Posey County | EF0 0.37 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-02-28 | Griffin, Posey County | EF2 8.2 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $602K |
| 2014-10-13 | New Harmony, Posey County | EF1 3.75 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $37K |
| 2012-03-02 | Springfield, Posey County | EF2 6.07 mi x 140 yd | 0 | 0 | $643K |
| 2011-05-25 | Cynthiana, Posey County | EF2 1.17 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | $52K |
| 2008-01-29 | Stewartsville, Posey County | EF2 4.16 mi x 100 yd | 2 | 0 | $274K |
| 2006-05-10 | Griffin, Posey County | F0 2.5 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-09-20 | Mt Vernon, Posey County | F0 0.2 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-09-20 | Wadesville, Posey County | F2 4.7 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 1 | $820K |
| 2002-04-24 | Mt Vernon, Posey County | F0 0.1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1989-05-19 | Posey County | F1 1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1986-05-15 | Posey County | F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1977-05-21 | Posey County | F0 0.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1971-04-27 | Posey County | F1 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1958-11-16 | Posey County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $3K 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 Posey County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the April 2, 2026 strong wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-02 | Strong WindPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 36 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-02-19 | Dense FogPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-15 | Dense FogPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-31 | Cold/Wind ChillPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Heavy SnowPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-23 | Cold/Wind ChillPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-24 | Dense FogPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-22 | Dense FogPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-09-23 | Dense FogPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-19 | HeatPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-28 | Excessive HeatPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-01-29 | TornadoStewartsville, Posey County A mobile home was destroyed. Two occupants of the mobile home were killed. Numerous trees were uprooted. One barn was destroyed, along with some small sheds. Four barns, three houses, and one church were damaged. The damage was mostly to roofs. Peak winds were estimated near 120 mph. The average path width was ... | EF2 4.16 mi x 100 yd | 2 | 0 | $274K |
| 2000-08-27 | Thunderstorm WindPoseyville, Posey County A mobile home was rolled over several times by thunderstorm winds. The occupants received minor injuries. Numerous trees were down across the northern half of Posey County. An unofficial wind gust to 94 MPH was recorded at the North Posey High School, where the roof of the gymnasium and ag room were damaged. Light ... | 0 | 2 | $137K | |
| 2011-04-19 | Thunderstorm WindGriffin, Posey County A machine shed was unroofed at exit 12 along Interstate 64. A tractor-trailer rig was blown off Interstate 64. The driver was slightly injured. At least a half dozen grain bins were destroyed, and at least a half dozen house roofs sustained moderate to major damage. Dozens of houses received minor roof damage. Several ... | 78 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $984K |
| 2002-09-20 | TornadoWadesville, Posey County The tornado destroyed 10 mobile homes and four buildings. The greatest concentration of damage was on Highway 165 about 2 miles south of Poseyville. Peak winds were estimated around 130 MPH. Among the destroyed structures was a county highway garage. Eight vehicles were tossed, including a small van that was thrown ... | F2 4.7 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 1 | $820K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-03-02 | FloodPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | $4.6M | |
| 2002-04-24 | HailBufkin, Posey County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3.3M |
| 2009-01-26 | Winter StormPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | $2.8M | |
| 2007-04-08 | Frost/FreezePosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 2024-07-09 | TornadoMt Vernon Airport, Posey County | EF3 5.84 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.0M |
| 2011-04-19 | Thunderstorm WindGriffin, Posey County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $984K |
| 2005-01-05 | FloodPosey County · forecast zone Posey | 0 | 0 | $907K | |
| 2002-09-20 | TornadoWadesville, Posey County | F2 4.7 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 1 | $820K |
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 $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: April 27, 1971 (tornado, Posey County); May 19, 1989 (tornado, Posey 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 Posey 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 31 | 82 | 105 | 43 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 12 | 43 | 47 | 23 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 2 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 19 | 39 | 27 | 8 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | – | – | – | – | 6 | 17 | 46 | 23 |
| Hail | 0 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 5 | 27 | 21 | 7 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 2 | 16 | 31 | 24 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Posey County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 119 · Feb 108 · Mar 108 · Apr 125 · May 91 · Jun 67 · Jul 86 · Aug 40 · Sep 35 · Oct 38 · Nov 43 · Dec 86 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Posey County
FEMA's register lists 19 declarations that include Posey County: 14 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (10) and flood (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3641 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2020-04-03 | DR-4515 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3456 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2011-06-23 | DR-1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| 2009-03-05 | DR-1828 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2008-09-23 | DR-1795 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2008-06-08 | DR-1766 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3238 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-01-21 | DR-1573 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-01-11 | EM-3197 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2002-09-25 | DR-1433 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 2002-06-13 | DR-1418 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 1997-03-06 | DR-1165 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1996-07-03 | DR-1125 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1996-04-02 | DR-1109 | Flood | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1991-01-05 | DR-891 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1990-06-04 | DR-869 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1979-07-31 | DR-596 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-02-02 | EM-3028 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
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 Posey County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 261 flood or flash flood records for Posey County from 1996 to 2025, on 229 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Posey County ranks 1113th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.3 million on 144 claims filed in Posey County; the most in one year was 44 in 2011. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 1 · 1981: 2 · 1982: 3 · 1983: 2 · 1985: 5 · 1990: 4 · 1991: 4 · 1993: 4 · 1995: 1 · 1996: 7 · 1997: 17 · 1998: 1 · 1999: 2 · 2002: 3 · 2004: 5 · 2005: 21 · 2006: 1 · 2008: 4 · 2011: 44 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2025: 2; 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 Posey County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Posey County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $16.4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $109K | 8.1 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $753K | 4.1 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $4.4M | once in about 136 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $605K | 8.4 modeled event-days a year |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $133K | 1 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.7M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $178K | 5.8 modeled event-days a year |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $7.7M | 7.9 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 Posey 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 IndianaEvery Indiana tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Floods in IndianaThe state's floods and flash floods, by county, year and month
- The Indiana recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Posey CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Posey County's FEMA declarations (CSV)19 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis