Summit County, Ohio
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 39153 · population 540,333 · 413 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 1,003 records for Summit County, Ohio from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 532 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (394 records). The deadliest single record is the July 21, 2003 flash flood: 3 deaths and $160 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 14 declarations naming the county since 1969, 11 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms” on June 30, 2012.
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
- 1,003on 532 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 1059 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $951Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 18strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 14latest 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 Summit County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 394 since 1955. 45% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Ohio'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 394 | 242 | 1955-2026 | 1 | 2 | $18M | 8 of 88 |
| Hail | 259 | 150 | 1955-2026 | 0 | 1 | $422M | 1 of 88 |
| Winter storms | 118 | 82 | 1996-2025 | 2 | 45 | $57M | 35 of 88 |
| High wind and dust storms | 99 | 54 | 1996-2024 | 2 | 2 | $55M | 6 of 88 |
| Floods | 73 | 42 | 1996-2024 | 5 | 0 | $275M | 53 of 88 |
| Tornadoes | 18 | 16 | 1963-2024 | 0 | 0 | $110M | 32 of 88 |
| Extreme cold | 16 | 11 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | $1.7M | 18 of 88 |
| Drought | 10 | 5 | 1996-1999 | 0 | 0 | $12M | 30 of 88 |
| Lightning | 7 | 7 | 1996-2004 | 0 | 9 | $383K | 6 of 88 |
| Heat | 4 | 2 | 1999-1999 | 0 | 0 | – | 53 of 88 |
| Heavy rain | 3 | 2 | 1996-1997 | 0 | 0 | $63K | 42 of 88 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2001-2001 | 0 | 0 | – | 12 of 88 |
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 Summit County had?
NOAA records 18 tornadoes in Summit County from 1963 to 2024, the strongest rated F3, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 32nd of 88 Ohio counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. 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 18 tornadoes whose track touched Summit County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 18, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992-07-12 19:22, as SPC files it | Akron | F3 | 8 mi | 0 |
| 1973-06-03 17:00, as SPC files it | Hudson | F3 | 12.9 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Ohio.
Every tornado record filed for Summit County (18)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-06 | Boston Mill, Summit County | EF1 3.31 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $183K |
| 2021-10-21 | Summit County | EF0 0.78 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2020-04-07 | Norton, Summit County | EF1 9.81 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $570K |
| 2019-04-14 | Comet, Summit County | EF0 0.6 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2018-04-15 | Portage Lakes, Summit County | EF1 0.12 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $29K |
| 2014-09-10 | Stow, Summit County | EF0 0.47 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $125K |
| 2011-05-25 | Fairlawn, Summit County | EF0 4.18 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $262K |
| 2002-11-10 | Macedonia, Summit County | F2 3.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $17M |
| 1999-07-28 | Sagamore Hills, Summit County | F0 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $133K |
| 1998-04-09 | Copley, Summit County | F0 0.3 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 1995-05-29 | Copley Center, Summit County | 0 | 0 | $2.9M | |
| 1992-07-12 | Summit County | F3 8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1978-06-07 | Summit County | F1 1 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1973-06-03 | Summit County | F3 4.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1970-04-02 | Summit County | F1 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1963-04-19 | Summit County | F2 | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1963-04-19 | Summit County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1963-04-19 | Summit County | 0 | 0 | $2.5M 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 Summit County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 18, 2025 thunderstorm wind ($4,500 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindLoyal Oak, Summit County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | HailLoyal Oak, Summit County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | HailNorton, Summit County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | Thunderstorm WindBrittain, Summit County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | HailNorton, Summit County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-15 | Thunderstorm WindBoston Hgts, Summit County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-22 | HailPortage Lakes, Summit County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-22 | HailNorton, Summit County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-22 | HailNorton, Summit County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-22 | HailTallmadge, Summit County | 0.88 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-22 | HailCopley, Summit County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-11-27 | Winter WeatherSummit County · forecast zone Summit | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-07-21 | Flash FloodCountywide, Summit County Thunderstorms dumped very heavy rains on Summit County causing catastrophic flooding in parts of the county. Rainfall rates exceeded two inches per hour at times during the evening hours. Many streams and creeks left their banks causing widespread flooding. Spotters measured 7.20 inches of rain at Richfield and a gage ... | 3 | 0 | $160M | |
| 2019-11-11 | Lake-Effect SnowSummit County · forecast zone Summit On November 10, weak low pressure developed across the Upper Midwest, extending a cold front from the Rockies towards the Upper Great Lakes. As the cold front progressed eastward across the Ohio Valley, a secondary low pressure system developed along the front in the Tennessee Valley and tracked northeast, reaching ... | 1 | 5 | $1.4M | |
| 2024-05-22 | Thunderstorm WindAkron, Summit County Weakened tree fell onto home in Akron and killed occupant. Thunderstorm was likely sub-severe per radar data. The nearby Akron-Fulton International Airport ASOS recorded a peak convective wind gust of 44 mph at 9:26 AM EST. No other reports of thunderstorm-related damage or severe convective weather were received as ... | 43 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $19K |
| 2013-07-10 | Flash FloodAkron, Summit County On Wednesday afternoon, July 10, the City of Akron experienced 3 to 4 inches of rain in an hour and a half. Flooding occurred causing the closings of roadways and expressways. Along with the roadway flooding, the City received reports of nearly 200 flooded basements. Widespread flooding was reported throughout the ... | 1 | 0 | $4.8M | |
| 2011-02-28 | FloodTwinsburg, Summit County Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a rapid rise in the Cuyahoga River in Summit County which reached moderate flood stage at Old Portage. One to two inches of rainfall fell during the overnight hours of the 27th into the 28th, and combined with six to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground resulted in rapid ... | 1 | 0 | $394K | |
| 2006-12-07 | Lake-Effect SnowMedina County and Summit County · forecast zone Medina Lake effect snow piled up across the county during the afternoon hours of the 7th. Locations across the northern half of the county were especially hit with around 6 inches of snow falling during the day. By evening, Brunswick had 6.2 inches of snow. Numerous minor car accidents were reported that day, along with one ... | 1 | 0 | $110K | |
| 2002-03-09 | High WindSummit County · forecast zone Summit A strong and very fast moving cold front raced east across northern Ohio during the late afternoon and early evening hours. Damaging winds occurred along and behind this front. A 41 year old male was struck and killed by a falling tree in Lorain (Lorain County). A second fatality occurred in Cuyahoga Falls (Summit ... | 54 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $492K |
| 1996-10-30 | High WindSummit County · forecast zone Summit A deep low pressure moving east across Ontario Canada brought winds of 60 to 70 miles per hour, with higher gusts, to Northern Ohio. Trees, limbs and power lines were downed, some across roads, and others on cars, and buildings causing considerable damage. In Cuyahoga County, at Cleveland Hopkins Airport, a stewardess ... | 1 | 0 | $4.0M |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-06-08 | HailAkron, Summit County | 4.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | $410M |
| 2003-07-21 | Flash FloodCountywide, Summit County | 3 | 0 | $160M | |
| 2008-09-14 | High WindSummit County · forecast zone Summit | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $27M |
| 2013-07-10 | Flash FloodBarberton, Summit County | 0 | 0 | $19M | |
| 2002-11-10 | TornadoMacedonia, Summit County | F2 3.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $17M |
| 2008-09-14 | High WindMedina County and Summit County · forecast zone Medina | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $14M |
| 2014-05-12 | Flash FloodSilver Lake, Summit County | 0 | 0 | $14M | |
| 2004-05-22 | Flash FloodCountywide, Summit County | 0 | 0 | $13M |
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: April 19, 1963 (tornado, Summit County); April 19, 1963 (tornado, Summit County); April 19, 1963 (tornado, Summit 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 Summit 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 2 | 3 | 10 | 30 | 66 | 103 | 88 | 92 |
| Hail | 2 | 0 | 8 | 21 | 40 | 80 | 87 | 21 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 21 | 57 | 26 | 14 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 25 | 47 | 20 | 7 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 18 | 23 | 16 | 16 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
45% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 61 · Feb 46 · Mar 65 · Apr 82 · May 143 · Jun 175 · Jul 156 · Aug 134 · Sep 41 · Oct 21 · Nov 31 · Dec 48 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Summit County
FEMA's register lists 14 declarations that include Summit County: 9 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (6) and tornado (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-31 | DR-4507 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3457 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2012-06-30 | EM-3346 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| 2008-10-24 | DR-1805 | Severe Storm | Severe Wind Storm Associated With Tropical Depression Ike |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3250 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-19 | DR-1556 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2004-06-03 | DR-1519 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2003-09-23 | EM-3187 | Other | Power Outage |
| 2003-08-01 | DR-1484 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds |
| 2002-11-18 | DR-1444 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 1992-08-04 | DR-951 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1978-01-26 | EM-3055 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| 1974-04-04 | DR-421 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
| 1969-07-15 | DR-266 | Tornado | Tornadoes, 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 Summit County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 73 flood or flash flood records for Summit County from 1996 to 2024, on 42 days, with 5 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Summit County ranks 376th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $13.0 million on 817 claims filed in Summit County; the most in one year was 126 in 2013. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 8 · 1979: 79 · 1980: 15 · 1981: 20 · 1982: 7 · 1983: 11 · 1984: 4 · 1985: 7 · 1986: 4 · 1987: 4 · 1989: 2 · 1990: 7 · 1991: 3 · 1992: 9 · 1993: 2 · 1994: 13 · 1995: 6 · 1996: 1 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 2 · 1999: 3 · 2000: 3 · 2002: 1 · 2003: 71 · 2004: 67 · 2005: 8 · 2006: 11 · 2007: 27 · 2008: 7 · 2009: 2 · 2011: 114 · 2012: 5 · 2013: 126 · 2014: 42 · 2015: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 39 · 2020: 7 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 46 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 3; 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 Summit County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Summit County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $102 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 High | $13M | 4 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | $4.0M | 2.2 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High | $772K | 14 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively High | $2.0M | 41 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High | $1.7M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively High | $65M | 1.4 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively High | $7.9M | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $3.1M | 2 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Summit 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 OhioEvery Ohio tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in OhioThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Ohio recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Summit CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Summit County's FEMA declarations (CSV)14 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis