Taylor County, Wisconsin
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 55119 · population 19,911 · 975 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 446 records for Taylor County, Wisconsin from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 300 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (146 records). The deadliest single record is the December 30, 2019 heavy snow, filed for the forecast zone Taylor, which covers the county: 1 death, 1 injury and $12,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 8 declarations naming the county since 1976, 6 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms and Flooding” on October 21, 2010.
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
- 446on 300 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 35 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $13Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 11strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 8latest 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 Taylor County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 146 since 1967. 55% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1967 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Wisconsin'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 | 146 | 94 | 1967-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.9M | 57 of 72 |
| Hail | 109 | 56 | 1973-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 61 of 72 |
| Winter storms | 99 | 99 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 2 | $352K | 64 of 72 |
| Extreme cold | 24 | 24 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 40 of 72 |
| Drought | 13 | 13 | 2009-2023 | 0 | 0 | $55K | 60 of 72 |
| Floods | 13 | 10 | 2000-2020 | 0 | 0 | $492K | 63 of 72 |
| Tornadoes | 11 | 10 | 1960-2026 | 0 | 3 | $8.8M | 63 of 72 |
| Heavy rain | 10 | 9 | 2009-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 28 of 72 |
| Heat | 8 | 8 | 1999-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 51 of 72 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 7 | 7 | 1999-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 52 of 72 |
| High wind and dust storms | 5 | 5 | 1998-2021 | 0 | 0 | $153K | 59 of 72 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 1999-1999 | 1 | 0 | – | 62 of 72 |
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 Taylor County had?
NOAA records 11 tornadoes in Taylor County from 1960 to 2026, the strongest rated F2, with 0 deaths and 3 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 10 tornadoes whose track touched Taylor County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 11: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person, 0 of them in Taylor County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977-07-30 19:00, as SPC files it | Sheldon | F2 | 34.5 mi | 1 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Wisconsin.
Every tornado record filed for Taylor County (11)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-13 | Gilman, Taylor County | EF0 3.52 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2024-07-05 | Medford, Taylor County | EF0 1 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-06-17 | Lublin, Taylor County | EF1 0.66 mi x 45 yd | 0 | 0 | $42K |
| 2005-06-04 | Medford, Taylor County | F0 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $38K |
| 2005-06-04 | Gilman, Taylor County | F0 0.3 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 2002-09-30 | Chelsea, Taylor County | F0 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $41K |
| 2002-09-02 | Gilman, Taylor County | F2 17 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $6.4M |
| 1977-07-30 | Taylor County | F2 6.5 mi x 1,000 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1966-07-03 | Taylor County | F2 | 0 | 1 | $250K step |
| 1964-07-06 | Taylor County | F2 3.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 2 | $3K step |
| 1960-08-27 | Taylor County | F1 2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 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 Taylor County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the April 13, 2026 tornado ($8,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
This weak EF-0 tornado touched down approximately 3 miles northwest of Gilman and traveled northeast through mainly rural areas. Minor damage occurred to outbuildings and trees over the course of its path.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1328656)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-29 | Excessive HeatTaylor County · forecast zone Taylor | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindMaplehurst, Taylor County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-17 | HailPolley, Taylor County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-13 | TornadoGilman, Taylor County | EF0 3.52 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2026-04-01 | Ice StormTaylor County · forecast zone Taylor | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-14 | Winter StormTaylor County · forecast zone Taylor | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-12 | Winter StormTaylor County · forecast zone Taylor | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-22 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillTaylor County · forecast zone Taylor | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-28 | Winter StormTaylor County · forecast zone Taylor | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-09 | Winter WeatherTaylor County · forecast zone Taylor | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-19 | Thunderstorm WindGilman, Taylor County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-19 | Thunderstorm WindGilman, Taylor County | 56 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-12-30 | Heavy SnowTaylor County · forecast zone Taylor One person died after a snow plowing accident involving two vehicles near Lublin. The person killed was using a pickup to push snow across a road and pulled out in front of the second vehicle. COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 7 to 8 inches of snow fell across Taylor County. The highest reported total ... | 1 | 1 | $12K | |
| 2010-12-11 | Winter StormTaylor County · forecast zone Taylor An indirect fatality occurred when a man died of injuries sustained plowing snow at his home near the town of Goodrich. Secondary roads were blown shut and there was drifting snow on the main highways. Snowfall totals of 20.5 inches were measured in Medford. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1999-07-30 | LightningMedford, Taylor County A 24 year old Amish man was killed by lightning, while travelling in a horse and buggy. The horse was killed also. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1964-07-06 | TornadoTaylor County | F2 3.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 2 | $3K step |
| 2014-11-10 | Winter StormTaylor County · forecast zone Taylor COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 6 to 10 inches of snow fell across Taylor County. One person was seriously injured when the ball hitch of a stuck vehicle broke loose, flew threw the window of another vehicle and struck the driver of the second vehicle in the head. | 0 | 1 | $623 | |
| 1966-07-03 | TornadoTaylor County | F2 | 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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-09-02 | TornadoGilman, Taylor County | F2 17 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $6.4M |
| 2010-07-20 | HailGilman, Taylor County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | $474K |
| 2024-05-18 | HailChelsea, Taylor County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $468K |
| 1996-11-15 | Ice StormTaylor County · forecast zone Taylor | 0 | 0 | $282K | |
| 2002-09-02 | Thunderstorm WindPerkinstown, Taylor County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $115K |
| 2002-09-02 | Thunderstorm WindPerkinstown, Taylor County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $49K |
| 2024-06-17 | TornadoLublin, Taylor County | EF1 0.66 mi x 45 yd | 0 | 0 | $42K |
| 2002-09-30 | TornadoChelsea, Taylor County | F0 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $41K |
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 3, 1966 (tornado, Taylor 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 Taylor 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 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 23 | 46 | 50 | 11 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 40 | 27 | 25 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 14 | 30 | 30 | 25 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 3 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 3 | 8 | 2 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 0 | 7 | 5 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
55% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1967 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 33 · Feb 31 · Mar 28 · Apr 35 · May 50 · Jun 63 · Jul 84 · Aug 39 · Sep 35 · Oct 11 · Nov 8 · Dec 29 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Taylor County
FEMA's register lists 8 declarations that include Taylor County: 5 major disasters, 3 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for biological (2) and severe storm (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-04 | DR-4520 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3454 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2010-10-21 | DR-1944 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3249 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-06-18 | DR-1526 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2002-09-10 | DR-1432 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 2001-05-11 | DR-1369 | Flood | Flooding, Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 1976-06-17 | EM-3014 | Drought | Drought |
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.
FEMA's modeled risk for Taylor County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Taylor County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $11.2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $3.7M | 8.7 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $519K | 32 a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $244K | 2.3 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.1M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $65K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $5.1M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $35K | 17 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $277K | 1.9 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 Taylor 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 WisconsinEvery Wisconsin tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in WisconsinThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Wisconsin recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Taylor CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Taylor County's FEMA declarations (CSV)8 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis