Reynolds County, Missouri

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 29179 · population 6,069 · 808 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 297 records for Reynolds County, Missouri from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 237 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (75 records). The deadliest single record is the January 13, 2013 cold/wind chill, filed for the forecast zone Reynolds, which covers the county: 3 deaths. FEMA has issued 27 declarations naming the county since 1973, 25 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding” on September 1, 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
297on 237 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
74 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$6.4Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
23strongest EF2
FEMA declarations
27latest 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 Reynolds County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 75 since 1970. The rank column places the county among Missouri's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.

Reynolds County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 75 62 1970-2026 0 0 $224K 114 of 114
Hail 65 49 1955-2024 0 0 $102K 114 of 114
Heat 48 48 1998-2023 0 1 – 41 of 114
Winter storms 40 40 1996-2025 1 2 $176K 113 of 114
Floods 27 27 1996-2025 3 0 $2.2M 104 of 114
Tornadoes 23 19 1957-2025 0 1 $3.6M 92 of 114
Drought 6 6 2005-2012 0 0 – 114 of 114
Extreme cold 5 5 2000-2014 3 0 – 112 of 114
High wind and dust storms 4 4 2001-2009 0 0 $8K 81 of 114
Heavy rain 2 2 2003-2024 0 0 – 71 of 114
Lightning 2 2 2005-2007 0 0 $78K 49 of 114

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 Reynolds County had?

NOAA records 23 tornadoes in Reynolds County from 1957 to 2025, the strongest rated EF2, 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 24 tornadoes whose track touched Reynolds 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, 0 of them in Reynolds County.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Reynolds County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
2025-03-14 21:20, as SPC files itDes ArcEF329.85 mi3
2025-03-14 20:11, as SPC files itBrandsvilleEF357.24 mi0
1964-03-25 13:00, as SPC files itPiedmontF346 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Missouri.

Every tornado record filed for Reynolds County (23)
Every tornado recorded in Reynolds County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2025-05-19 Greeley, Reynolds County EF0 1.61 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2025-03-14 Hadley, Reynolds County EF2 9.99 mi x 1,525 yd 0 0 $250K
2025-03-14 Ruble, Reynolds County EF1 9.22 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $1K
2024-05-26 Exchange, Reynolds County EF0 4.47 mi x 279 yd 0 0 $470
2024-05-26 Redford, Reynolds County EF0 1.17 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2024-05-26 Redford, Reynolds County EF0 3.27 mi x 276 yd 0 0 –
2024-05-08 Redford, Reynolds County EF0 0.49 mi x 30 yd 0 0 –
2021-12-10 Redford, Reynolds County EF2 6.86 mi x 300 yd 0 0 –
2021-10-24 Monterey, Reynolds County EF1 1.17 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
2017-02-28 Centerville, Reynolds County EF1 4.36 mi x 80 yd 0 0 –
2009-05-08 Redford, Reynolds County EF1 1.8 mi x 440 yd 0 0 –
2006-09-22 Oates, Reynolds County F2 12.8 mi x 550 yd 0 0 –
2006-03-11 Centerville, Reynolds County F1 12.5 mi x 75 yd 0 0 –
2006-01-02 Reynolds County F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2004-10-18 Redford, Reynolds County F0 0.5 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $156K
2004-05-30 Reynolds County F0 0.1 mi x 40 yd 0 0 –
2001-05-20 Ellington, Reynolds County F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2001-05-18 Ellington, Reynolds County F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
1992-03-06 Reynolds County F0 0.5 mi x 23 yd 0 0 $3K step
1992-03-06 Reynolds County F1 1.6 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $250K step
1982-12-02 Reynolds County F1 1 mi x 70 yd 0 0 $250K step
1970-04-12 Reynolds County F2 5.1 mi x 100 yd 0 1 $250K step
1957-05-21 Reynolds County F1 0.2 mi x 17 yd 0 0 $30 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 Reynolds County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the April 4, 2025 flash flood ($500,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

Several road closures were reported mainly in the Ellington area has rainwater flooded roadways and areal creeks overflowed. Examples of road closures include: MO 106 1 mile west of Route F, Route B between CR 785 and CR 784, and CR 838 at its intersection with CR 837. Logan Creek overflowed, making its bridge on Route B impassable and causing extensive damage to the bridge.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1243952)
The 12 most recent records kept for Reynolds County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-04-27 Thunderstorm WindEllington, Reynolds County 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2025-08-19 Thunderstorm WindGarwood, Reynolds County 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2025-08-19 Thunderstorm WindLesterville, Reynolds County 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2025-05-19 TornadoGreeley, Reynolds County EF0 1.61 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2025-04-04 Flash FloodEllington, Reynolds County 0 0 $500K
2025-04-02 Thunderstorm WindLesterville, Reynolds County 60 kt wind 0 0 –
2025-03-14 TornadoHadley, Reynolds County EF2 9.99 mi x 1,525 yd 0 0 $250K
2025-03-14 TornadoRuble, Reynolds County EF1 9.22 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $1K
2025-02-18 Winter StormReynolds County · forecast zone Reynolds 0 0 –
2025-01-05 Ice StormReynolds County · forecast zone Reynolds 0 0 –
2024-06-08 Thunderstorm WindCenterville, Reynolds County 65 kt wind 0 0 –
2024-05-26 TornadoExchange, Reynolds County EF0 4.47 mi x 279 yd 0 0 $470

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 Reynolds County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2013-01-13 Cold/Wind ChillReynolds County · forecast zone Reynolds A father and his two young sons, as well as their 4 month old Labrador retriever, went on an approximately 16 mile round trip hike on the Ozark Trail in Mark Twain National Forest on January 12th. They were heading south to Sutton’s Bluff. The weather had been unusually warm with a high of 62 degrees recorded at the ... 3 0 –
2015-11-17 FloodMartinsburg, Reynolds County Up to 6 inches of rain fell over two days in Reynolds County. This caused streams, creeks and low water crossings to flood. Two men drown while trying to cross low water crossings. A 49 year old man was in his truck on County Road 814, just south of Highway J. He crossed Brushy Creek, which was well over the crossing, ... 2 0 –
2008-02-21 SleetReynolds County · forecast zone Reynolds Another winter storm dropped freezing rain, sleet and some light snow across Central, Southeast, and East Central Missouri starting during the early morning hours on the 21st and finally ending shortly after midnight on the 22nd. Enough freezing rain fell across Madison, St. Francois, and Ste. Genevieve counties to ... 1 1 –
2008-03-18 Flash FloodGreeley, Reynolds County Very heavy rain fell over Reynolds county beginning late on the 17th of March and throughout the day on the 18th. The co-operative observer in Ellington reported a storm total of 9.7 inches. Four inches of rain fell in Ellington through 8 am on the 18th, then another 2 inches fell between 8 am and 11 am on the 18th, ... 1 0 $548K
2022-12-22 Winter StormReynolds County · forecast zone Reynolds Between 1 and 3 inches of snow fell. The snow combined with gusty northwest winds (35-45 mph gusts) created extremely hazardous travel with sporadic near-blizzard conditions during the heaviest snowfall. Road conditions deteriorated rapidly during this event. Several accidents occurred across the county due to slick ... 0 1 –
1998-06-23 HeatReynolds County · forecast zone Reynolds The first heat wave of the summer caused 3 deaths and at least 143 heat related injuries. High temperatures wee in the middle 90s with the heat index from 105 to 110. 0 1 –
1970-04-12 TornadoReynolds County F2 5.1 mi x 100 yd 0 1 $250K 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.

The costliest records in Reynolds County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1998-07-26 Flash FloodCountywide, Reynolds County 0 0 $724K
2015-12-28 Flash FloodMunger, Reynolds County 0 0 $442K
2025-03-14 TornadoHadley, Reynolds County EF2 9.99 mi x 1,525 yd 0 0 $250K
2004-10-18 TornadoRedford, Reynolds County F0 0.5 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $156K
1993-10-01 HailRedford, Reynolds County 3.00 in hail 0 0 $102K
2025-03-14 TornadoRuble, Reynolds County EF1 9.22 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $1K

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 $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: April 12, 1970 (tornado, Reynolds County); December 2, 1982 (tornado, Reynolds County); March 6, 1992 (tornado, Reynolds 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 Reynolds 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).

Reynolds County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind004319241213
Hail100214241212
Heat––––120261
Winter storms––––61897
Floods––––61353
Tornadoes10112819

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 Reynolds County. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 23 · Feb 18 · Mar 25 · Apr 35 · May 46 · Jun 24 · Jul 49 · Aug 27 · Sep 11 · Oct 11 · Nov 8 · Dec 20 (records).

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

Federal disaster declarations for Reynolds County

FEMA's register lists 27 declarations that include Reynolds County: 20 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (17) and flood (3).

Declarations including Reynolds County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2026-09-01DR-4939Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2025-05-21DR-4867Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires
2025-05-21DR-4872Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2025-01-01DR-4855Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2024-07-23DR-4803Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2022-01-10DR-4636Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes
2020-03-26DR-4490BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3482BiologicalCovid-19
2017-06-02DR-4317FloodSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding
2016-01-21DR-4250FloodSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2016-01-02EM-3374FloodSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2011-05-09DR-1980Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2011-02-03EM-3317Severe StormSevere Winter Storm
2009-06-19DR-1847Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2009-02-17DR-1822Severe StormSevere Winter Storm
2009-01-30EM-3303Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm
2008-11-13DR-1809Severe StormSevere Storms, Flooding, and A Tornado
2008-03-19DR-1749Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2008-03-12DR-1748Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storms and Flooding
2007-12-12EM-3281Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storms
2006-12-29DR-1673Severe StormSevere Winter Storms
2005-09-10EM-3232HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2002-05-06DR-1412Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
1994-04-21DR-1023Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding
1993-12-01DR-1006Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
1976-09-24EM-3017DroughtDrought
1973-04-19DR-372Severe StormHeavy Rains, Tornadoes & 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 Reynolds County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 27 flood or flash flood records for Reynolds County from 1996 to 2025, on 27 days, with 3 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Reynolds County ranks 1125th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $3.0 million on 141 claims filed in Reynolds County; the most in one year was 33 in 2008. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1982: 1 · 1983: 2 · 1984: 7 · 1985: 2 · 1993: 25 · 1994: 1 · 1996: 1 · 1997: 1 · 2002: 21 · 2003: 1 · 2008: 33 · 2009: 15 · 2011: 1 · 2017: 22 · 2020: 1 · 2026: 7; 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 Reynolds County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Reynolds County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $20.0 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Reynolds County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
Cold WaveRelatively High$10.0M1.3 a year (modeled)
Heat WaveRelatively Moderate$1.7M11 modeled event-days a year
LandslideRelatively Low$25K3.9 a year (modeled)
EarthquakeRelatively Low$804Konce in about 161 years (modeled)
Riverine FloodingRelatively Low$6.3Mabout once a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Low$807Konce in about 2 years (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively Low$31K8 a year (modeled)
Ice StormRelatively Low$31Kabout once 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 Reynolds County

  1. Wayne County 850
  2. Carter County 744
  3. Shannon County 587
  4. Dent County 497
  5. Iron County 333
  6. Reynolds County 297

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

Next