Sullivan County, Indiana
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 18153 · population 20,808 · 447 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 351 records for Sullivan County, Indiana from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 265 days; the most frequent are floods and flash floods (119 records). The deadliest single record is the March 31, 2023 tornado: 3 deaths, 8 injuries and $17.6 million 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
- 351on 265 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 39 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $81Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 15strongest 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 Sullivan County most?
The most frequent records are floods and flash floods: 119 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 | 119 | 102 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $57M | 19 of 91 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 119 | 89 | 1956-2026 | 0 | 1 | $731K | 87 of 91 |
| Hail | 46 | 34 | 1982-2026 | 0 | 0 | $64K | 86 of 91 |
| Winter storms | 28 | 28 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 88 of 91 |
| Tornadoes | 15 | 15 | 1957-2026 | 3 | 8 | $23M | 77 of 91 |
| Drought | 8 | 8 | 2010-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 40 of 91 |
| High wind and dust storms | 7 | 7 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $5K | 79 of 91 |
| Extreme cold | 3 | 3 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 86 of 91 |
| Heat | 3 | 3 | 1997-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 32 of 91 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2008-2008 | 0 | 0 | – | 54 of 91 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 1996-1996 | 0 | 0 | – | 76 of 91 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 1996-1996 | 0 | 0 | – | 68 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 Sullivan County had?
NOAA records 15 tornadoes in Sullivan County from 1957 to 2026, the strongest rated EF3, with 3 deaths and 8 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 13 tornadoes whose track touched Sullivan County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 15: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 6 people, 3 of them in Sullivan County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-03-31 19:58, as SPC files it | RobinsonCrossed IL, IN | EF3 | 40.89 mi | 6 |
| 1963-04-29 19:00, as SPC files it | Dugger | F3 | 23.9 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Indiana.
Every tornado record filed for Sullivan County (15)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-21 | Wilfred, Sullivan County | EF1 2.74 mi x 425 yd | 0 | 0 | $120K |
| 2026-02-19 | Carlisle, Sullivan County | EF0 4.1 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $300K |
| 2025-05-16 | Riverview, Sullivan County | EF0 0.91 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2023-03-31 | Riverton, Sullivan County | EF3 13.25 mi x 660 yd | 3 | 8 | $18M |
| 2019-08-12 | Graysville, Sullivan County | EF1 1.72 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $17K |
| 2011-04-27 | Sullivan County | EF0 0.05 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $27K |
| 1990-06-17 | Sullivan County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1990-06-02 | Sullivan County | F0 0.1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1990-04-28 | Sullivan County | F0 0.2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1988-09-19 | Sullivan County | F0 0.2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1973-05-27 | Sullivan County | F2 39.8 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1969-09-05 | Sullivan County | F2 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1963-04-29 | Sullivan County | F3 23.9 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1957-06-11 | Sullivan County | F2 0.2 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1957-03-14 | Sullivan County | F1 5.2 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 Sullivan County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 21, 2026 flash flood ($20,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-21 | Flash FloodSullivan County | 0 | 0 | $20K | |
| 2026-06-21 | TornadoWilfred, Sullivan County | EF1 2.74 mi x 425 yd | 0 | 0 | $120K |
| 2026-06-21 | Thunderstorm WindWilfred, Sullivan County | 81 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $125K |
| 2026-06-21 | Thunderstorm WindSullivan County | 81 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $70K |
| 2026-04-27 | Thunderstorm WindShelburn, Sullivan County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 2026-03-22 | HailCarlisle, Sullivan County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-15 | High WindSullivan County · forecast zone Sullivan | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2026-02-19 | TornadoCarlisle, Sullivan County | EF0 4.1 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $300K |
| 2026-02-19 | Thunderstorm WindSullivan County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 2026-02-19 | Thunderstorm WindCarlisle, Sullivan County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2026-01-24 | Heavy SnowSullivan County · forecast zone Sullivan | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-11 | Heavy SnowSullivan County · forecast zone Sullivan | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-03-31 | TornadoRiverton, Sullivan County This was the rotating supercell's first tornado, having traversed through Illinois for nearly 28 miles, producing EF3 damage before entering Indiana. The tornado crossed the Wabash River, entering Sullivan County 1.8 miles south of Merom. Near Merom, the tornado severely damaged 3 homes and destroyed a modular home ... | EF3 13.25 mi x 660 yd | 3 | 8 | $18M |
| 1999-05-17 | Thunderstorm WindFairbanks, Sullivan County Numerous severe thunderstorms marched across central Indiana during the afternoon and evening. Hail was the main culprit during the afternoon hours, while damaging winds became more common during the evening as a squall line and embedded bow echo moved across. A 6 year old boy was killed near Linton in Greene county ... | 0 | 1 | $35K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-06-02 | FloodMerom Station, Sullivan County | 0 | 0 | $41M | |
| 2023-03-31 | TornadoRiverton, Sullivan County | EF3 13.25 mi x 660 yd | 3 | 8 | $18M |
| 2003-07-08 | FloodSullivan County · forecast zone Sullivan | 0 | 0 | $12M | |
| 2026-02-19 | TornadoCarlisle, Sullivan County | EF0 4.1 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $300K |
| 2026-06-21 | Thunderstorm WindWilfred, Sullivan County | 81 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $125K |
| 2026-06-21 | TornadoWilfred, Sullivan County | EF1 2.74 mi x 425 yd | 0 | 0 | $120K |
| 2022-03-07 | Thunderstorm WindNew Lebanon, Sullivan County | 87 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $81K |
| 2026-06-21 | Thunderstorm WindSullivan County | 81 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $70K |
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 29, 1963 (tornado, Sullivan County); May 27, 1973 (tornado, Sullivan 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 Sullivan 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 | – | – | – | – | 24 | 83 | 7 | 5 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 4 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 21 | 34 | 23 | 16 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 13 | 11 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
| Tornadoes | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
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 Sullivan County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 27 · Feb 29 · Mar 34 · Apr 44 · May 58 · Jun 56 · Jul 35 · Aug 16 · Sep 13 · Oct 9 · Nov 9 · Dec 21 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Sullivan County
FEMA's register lists 19 declarations that include Sullivan 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 |
| 2023-04-15 | DR-4704 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 2020-04-03 | DR-4515 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3456 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2014-04-22 | DR-4173 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2011-06-23 | DR-1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and |
| 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 |
| 2004-09-01 | DR-1542 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 2002-09-25 | DR-1433 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 2002-06-13 | DR-1418 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 1998-07-22 | DR-1234 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes, 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 |
| 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 Sullivan County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 119 flood or flash flood records for Sullivan County from 1996 to 2026, on 102 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Sullivan County ranks 2830th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $42,000 on 1 claim filed in Sullivan County; the most in one year was 1 in 2013. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2013: 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 Sullivan County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sullivan County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $7.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $1.5M | once in about 229 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $239K | 2.2 modeled event-days a year |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $75K | 7.6 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $596K | 4.3 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.2M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $350K | 6.1 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $241K | 3.1 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $696K | 1.6 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 Sullivan 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 Sullivan CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Sullivan County's FEMA declarations (CSV)19 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis