Vinton County, Ohio
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 39163 · population 12,767 · 412 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 430 records for Vinton County, Ohio from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 342 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (130 records). The most damaging was the May 10, 2011 flash flood ($3.3 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1968, 14 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides” on April 8, 2019.
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
- 430on 342 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 01 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $10Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 6strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 16latest 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 Vinton County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 130 since 1974. 48% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1974 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 | 130 | 95 | 1974-2026 | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | 80 of 88 |
| Floods | 107 | 80 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $7.3M | 11 of 88 |
| Winter storms | 68 | 67 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $51K | 48 of 88 |
| Extreme cold | 34 | 34 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $114K | 2 of 88 |
| High wind and dust storms | 28 | 28 | 1999-2026 | 0 | 0 | $114K | 30 of 88 |
| Heat | 18 | 18 | 1997-2011 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 of 88 |
| Hail | 17 | 15 | 1995-2022 | 0 | 0 | – | 88 of 88 |
| Drought | 15 | 15 | 1999-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 of 88 |
| Heavy rain | 6 | 6 | 1999-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 11 of 88 |
| Tornadoes | 6 | 4 | 2017-2022 | 0 | 0 | $272K | 83 of 88 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2020-2020 | 0 | 1 | – | 51 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 Vinton County had?
NOAA records 6 tornadoes in Vinton County from 2017 to 2022, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 0 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 6 tornadoes whose track touched Vinton County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 6, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Ohio.
Every tornado record filed for Vinton County (6)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-06-08 | Hope, Vinton County | EF0 0.63 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $252 |
| 2022-06-08 | Hope, Vinton County | EF1 0.42 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2022-06-08 | Eagle Mills, Vinton County | EF1 3.63 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $504 |
| 2020-04-08 | Wilkesville, Vinton County | EF1 0.25 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | $228K |
| 2019-05-28 | Mc Arthur Vntn Co Ar, Vinton County | EF0 0.12 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2017-07-22 | Creola, Vinton County | EF1 0.8 mi x 230 yd | 0 | 0 | $30K |
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 Vinton County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 22, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,500 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindElk Fork, Vinton County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-06-18 | FloodHope, Vinton County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-18 | Flash FloodDundas, Vinton County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-18 | Flash FloodRatcliffburg, Vinton County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-16 | Winter WeatherVinton County · forecast zone Vinton | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindBolins Mills, Vinton County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-03-13 | Strong WindVinton County · forecast zone Vinton | 36 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-03-05 | FloodHue, Vinton County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-04 | FloodHamden, Vinton County | 0 | 0 | $10K | |
| 2026-03-04 | FloodElk Fork, Vinton County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-04 | FloodMc Arthur, Vinton County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-02 | Winter WeatherVinton County · forecast zone Vinton | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-08-16 | LightningEagle Mills, Vinton County Near the town of Eagle Mills, a man was struck by lightning. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but fortunately did recover from his injuries. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-05-10 | Flash FloodJimtown, Vinton County | 0 | 0 | $3.3M | |
| 1997-03-01 | Flash FloodCountywide, Vinton County | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 2020-04-08 | TornadoWilkesville, Vinton County | EF1 0.25 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | $228K |
| 2017-07-22 | TornadoCreola, Vinton County | EF1 0.8 mi x 230 yd | 0 | 0 | $30K |
| 2019-05-28 | TornadoMc Arthur Vntn Co Ar, Vinton County | EF0 0.12 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2026-03-04 | FloodHamden, Vinton County | 0 | 0 | $10K | |
| 2008-07-22 | Thunderstorm WindRay, Vinton County | 91 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $7K |
| 2025-06-09 | Thunderstorm WindCreola, Vinton County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
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 Vinton 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 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 26 | 30 | 53 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 5 | 18 | 44 | 40 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 8 | 13 | 26 | 21 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 12 | 12 | 8 | 2 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 1 | 14 | 4 | 9 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 7 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
48% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1974 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 56 · Feb 52 · Mar 44 · Apr 50 · May 35 · Jun 60 · Jul 40 · Aug 27 · Sep 12 · Oct 13 · Nov 16 · Dec 25 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Vinton County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Vinton County: 12 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (7) and flood (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-31 | DR-4507 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3457 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-04-08 | DR-4424 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| 2018-04-17 | DR-4360 | Flood | Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2012-08-20 | DR-4077 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2012-06-30 | EM-3346 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms |
| 2011-07-13 | DR-4002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3250 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-19 | DR-1556 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2003-08-01 | DR-1484 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Flooding, Severe Storms, and High Winds |
| 2003-03-14 | DR-1453 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record/Near Record Snow |
| 1997-03-04 | DR-1164 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1996-06-24 | DR-1122 | Flood | Flooding |
| 1990-06-06 | DR-870 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1978-01-26 | EM-3055 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| 1968-06-05 | DR-243 | Flood | Heavy Rains & 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 Vinton County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 107 flood or flash flood records for Vinton County from 1996 to 2026, on 80 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Vinton County ranks 2212th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $163,000 on 15 claims filed in Vinton County; the most in one year was 5 in 1997. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1997: 5 · 1998: 1 · 2003: 1 · 2004: 4 · 2011: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2017: 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 Vinton County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Vinton County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $3.8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $29K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $68K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $186K | 3.4 modeled event-days a year |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $50K | 6.1 modeled event-days a year |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $95K | 46 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Very Low | $3.0M | 2.4 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Very Low | $13K | once in about 87 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $45K | once in about 1,026 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Vinton 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 Vinton CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Vinton County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis