Saline County, Missouri
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 29195 · population 23,279 · 756 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 528 records for Saline County, Missouri from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 384 days; the most frequent are floods and flash floods (149 records). The deadliest single record is the July 4, 2003 heat, filed for the forecast zone Saline, which covers the county: 1 death. FEMA has issued 26 declarations naming the county since 1965, 24 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding” on June 30, 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
- 528on 384 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 18 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $19Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 25strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 26latest 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 Saline County most?
The most frequent records are floods and flash floods: 149 since 1996. 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.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floods | 149 | 128 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 0 | $1.8M | 26 of 114 |
| Hail | 142 | 90 | 1956-2024 | 0 | 0 | $581K | 88 of 114 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 123 | 93 | 1958-2025 | 0 | 1 | $4.1M | 91 of 114 |
| Winter storms | 40 | 40 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 1 | $718K | 110 of 114 |
| Tornadoes | 25 | 19 | 1956-2023 | 0 | 6 | $11M | 87 of 114 |
| Drought | 22 | 22 | 2000-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 71 of 114 |
| Heat | 15 | 15 | 1999-2023 | 1 | 0 | – | 75 of 114 |
| Extreme cold | 10 | 10 | 1997-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 77 of 114 |
| High wind and dust storms | 1 | 1 | 2008-2008 | 0 | 0 | – | 112 of 114 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2013-2013 | 0 | 0 | – | 61 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 Saline County had?
NOAA records 25 tornadoes in Saline County from 1956 to 2023, the strongest rated F3, with 0 deaths and 6 injuries 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 Saline County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 25: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-03-12 20:28, as SPC files it | Glasgow | F3 | 35 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Missouri.
Every tornado record filed for Saline County (25)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-08-04 | Malta Bend, Saline County | EF0 1.54 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2020-04-24 | Norton, Saline County | EF0 0.02 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2014-05-10 | Marshall, Saline County | EF1 7.27 mi x 1,350 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2011-05-22 | Slater, Saline County | EF1 3.53 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $302K |
| 2006-03-12 | Nelson, Saline County | F0 6.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2006-03-12 | Marshall, Saline County | F3 15 mi x 350 yd | 0 | 0 | $110K |
| 2006-03-12 | Sweet Spgs, Saline County | F2 17 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 6 | $4.4M |
| 2004-10-29 | Sweet Spgs, Saline County | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $31K |
| 2003-05-09 | Mt Leonard, Saline County | F0 0.2 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-05-09 | Blackburn, Saline County | F2 1 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1994-06-25 | Marshall, Saline County | F0 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $100K |
| 1991-03-12 | Saline County | F0 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1988-03-24 | Saline County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1982-06-07 | Saline County | F1 12 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1981-04-13 | Saline County | F1 14.9 mi x 167 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1980-05-12 | Saline County | F2 27 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1977-05-04 | Saline County | F1 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1967-04-21 | Saline County | F2 3.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1967-04-21 | Saline County | F2 3.6 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1967-04-21 | Saline County | F2 13.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1961-07-22 | Saline County | F2 4.1 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1960-06-10 | Saline County | F1 0.2 mi x 17 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1958-06-10 | Saline County | F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $30 step |
| 1956-12-04 | Saline County | F2 4.7 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1956-12-04 | Saline County | F2 4.3 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 Saline County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the November 12, 2018 winter weather (1 injury and $59,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
Light snow caused icy roads, which then caused numerous accidents. In this case a vehicle slid into a second vehicle. The driver sustained moderate injuries.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 784800)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | Heavy SnowSaline County · forecast zone Saline | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-09-18 | Thunderstorm WindMiami, Saline County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-08-11 | Thunderstorm WindSweet Spgs, Saline County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-03 | Thunderstorm WindMt Leonard, Saline County | 59 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-03 | Thunderstorm WindSweet Spgs, Saline County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-03 | Thunderstorm WindSlater, Saline County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-03 | Thunderstorm WindSlater, Saline County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-03 | Thunderstorm WindSlater, Saline County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-03 | Thunderstorm WindMarshall, Saline County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-03 | Thunderstorm WindNelson, Saline County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-03 | Thunderstorm WindMarshall, Saline County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-03 | Thunderstorm WindSlater, Saline County | 52 kt wind | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-07-04 | HeatSaline County · forecast zone Saline Oppressive conditions covered the area from July 4th through July 5th. The combination of heat and humidity drove afternoon heat indices into the 105 degree range. An 86 year old Bates county male died of heat related causes. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2006-03-12 | TornadoSweet Spgs, Saline County Tornado crossed into Saline county from Pettis county at 2009 CST. The tornado crossed over Interstate 70 at mile marker 71 at 2012 CST. Six people seeking shelter under a highway overpass were injured. Their cars were crushed when a semi was blown over on top of them. The tornado produced F2 damage just northeast of ... | F2 17 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 6 | $4.4M |
| 2018-11-12 | Winter WeatherSaline County · forecast zone Saline Light snow caused icy roads, which then caused numerous accidents. In this case a vehicle slid into a second vehicle. The driver sustained moderate injuries. | 0 | 1 | $59K | |
| 1994-06-25 | Thunderstorm WindMiami, Saline County Large hail produced spotty crop damage across the southern half of the county, lasting about 25 minutes. Widespread wind damaged numerous wooded or tin farm structures in the Miami area. Many lost part or all of their roof, with eight completely destroyed. Power lines were blown down, farm machinery and crops were ... | 0 | 1 | $2.0M |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-03-12 | TornadoSweet Spgs, Saline County | F2 17 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 6 | $4.4M |
| 1994-06-25 | Thunderstorm WindSlater, Saline County | 0 | 0 | $2.0M | |
| 1999-04-22 | FloodSaline County · forecast zone Saline | 0 | 0 | $886K | |
| 2002-01-30 | Ice StormSaline County · forecast zone Saline | 0 | 0 | $656K | |
| 2004-08-04 | Flash FloodMarshall, Saline County | 0 | 0 | $469K | |
| 1999-06-28 | FloodSaline County · forecast zone Saline | 0 | 0 | $443K | |
| 2011-05-22 | TornadoSlater, Saline County | EF1 3.53 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $302K |
| 1994-05-24 | HailMiami, Saline County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $199K |
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: July 22, 1961 (tornado, Saline County); May 12, 1980 (tornado, Saline County); April 13, 1981 (tornado, Saline 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 Saline 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 | – | – | – | – | 54 | 74 | 19 | 2 |
| Hail | 2 | 8 | 4 | 30 | 17 | 46 | 30 | 5 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 2 | 10 | 6 | 28 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 15 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 2 | 16 | 17 | 5 |
| Tornadoes | 3 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 1 | 8 | 13 |
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 Saline County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 22 · Feb 29 · Mar 46 · Apr 64 · May 113 · Jun 95 · Jul 52 · Aug 38 · Sep 21 · Oct 13 · Nov 15 · Dec 20 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Saline County
FEMA's register lists 26 declarations that include Saline County: 19 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (13) and flood (6).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-30 | DR-4924 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2021-09-01 | DR-4612 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2020-03-26 | DR-4490 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3482 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-07-09 | DR-4451 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2015-08-07 | DR-4238 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2011-08-12 | DR-4012 | Flood | Flooding |
| 2011-06-30 | EM-3325 | Flood | Flooding |
| 2011-03-23 | DR-1961 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2011-02-03 | EM-3317 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2009-06-19 | DR-1847 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2009-01-30 | EM-3303 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2008-06-25 | DR-1773 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2007-12-12 | EM-3281 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 2007-06-11 | DR-1708 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2006-03-16 | DR-1631 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3232 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2003-05-06 | DR-1463 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2002-02-06 | DR-1403 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Ice Storm |
| 1995-06-02 | DR-1054 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Hail, Flooding |
| 1993-07-09 | DR-995 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1986-10-14 | DR-779 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1976-09-24 | EM-3017 | Drought | Drought |
| 1973-11-01 | DR-407 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1973-04-19 | DR-372 | Severe Storm | Heavy Rains, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1965-07-27 | DR-203 | Flood | Severe Storms & 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 Saline County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 149 flood or flash flood records for Saline County from 1996 to 2021, on 128 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Saline County ranks 2181st of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $272,000 on 16 claims filed in Saline County; the most in one year was 7 in 1993. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1982: 1 · 1990: 1 · 1991: 1 · 1993: 7 · 1994: 1 · 1995: 1 · 1998: 1 · 2008: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2021: 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 Saline County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Saline County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $15.5 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.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $994K | 15 modeled event-days a year |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $1.5M | 12 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $2.2M | 2.3 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $3K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.7M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $422K | once in about 652 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $7.9M | 4.6 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $452K | 3.9 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 Saline 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 MissouriEvery Missouri tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Floods in MissouriThe state's floods and flash floods, by county, year and month
- The Missouri recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Saline CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Saline County's FEMA declarations (CSV)26 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis