Washington County, Illinois
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 17189 · population 13,755 · 563 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 441 records for Washington County, Illinois from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 305 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (142 records). The deadliest single record is the November 17, 2013 tornado: 2 deaths and 2 injuries. FEMA has issued 9 declarations naming the county since 2002, 7 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Floodng” on September 20, 2024.
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
- 441on 305 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 415 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $11Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 31strongest EF4
- FEMA declarations
- 9latest 2024
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 Washington County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 142 since 1960. The rank column places the county among Illinois'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 | 142 | 106 | 1960-2026 | 0 | 2 | $1.1M | 80 of 102 |
| Hail | 134 | 79 | 1956-2025 | 0 | 0 | $346K | 42 of 102 |
| Heat | 53 | 53 | 1998-2025 | 1 | 10 | – | 29 of 102 |
| Winter storms | 46 | 46 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 77 of 102 |
| Tornadoes | 31 | 22 | 1953-2023 | 2 | 3 | $8.4M | 73 of 102 |
| Floods | 18 | 18 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | $50K | 98 of 102 |
| High wind and dust storms | 5 | 5 | 1997-2009 | 0 | 0 | $5K | 99 of 102 |
| Drought | 4 | 4 | 2005-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 93 of 102 |
| Extreme cold | 4 | 4 | 2000-2014 | 0 | 0 | – | 96 of 102 |
| Heavy rain | 2 | 2 | 2005-2008 | 0 | 0 | – | 53 of 102 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 2012-2014 | 1 | 0 | $1.2M | 54 of 102 |
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 Washington County had?
NOAA records 31 tornadoes in Washington County from 1953 to 2023, the strongest rated EF4, with 2 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 35 tornadoes whose track touched Washington County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 31: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 2 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-11-17 12:04, as SPC files it | New Minden | EF4 | 10.59 mi | 2 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Illinois.
Every tornado record filed for Washington County (31)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-04-15 | Covington, Washington County | EFU 0.17 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2021-10-24 | Richview, Washington County | EF0 2.05 mi x 180 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-11-17 | Alda, Washington County | EF1 3.58 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-11-17 | Addieville, Washington County | EF4 10.59 mi x 200 yd | 2 | 2 | – |
| 2012-09-25 | Okawville, Washington County | EF1 3.95 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2011-02-28 | Covington, Washington County | EF2 2.34 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-02-28 | Okawville, Washington County | EF0 2.77 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-03-08 | Beaucoup, Washington County | EF0 1.42 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-03-08 | Cordes, Washington County | EF0 2.33 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-03-08 | Mc Kinley, Washington County | EF2 4.29 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2006-09-22 | Radom, Washington County | F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2006-07-21 | New Minden, Washington County | F0 7 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-05-30 | Radom, Washington County | F0 0.5 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-05-30 | Radom, Washington County | F1 4.5 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-05-30 | Radom, Washington County | F1 4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-05-30 | Dubois, Washington County | F1 3.5 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-05-30 | Dubois, Washington County | F1 4.5 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-06-10 | Addieville, Washington County | F1 14 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-04-15 | Hoyleton, Washington County | F1 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $36K |
| 1998-04-15 | Nashville, Washington County | F0 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1995-05-18 | Addieville To, Washington County | F1 18 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $252K |
| 1976-03-20 | Washington County | F2 29 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1973-06-18 | Washington County | F1 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1961-09-24 | Washington County | F2 2.7 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1961-06-14 | Washington County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1960-04-17 | Washington County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1959-03-14 | Washington County | F1 7.7 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1959-02-10 | Washington County | F1 29.8 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1956-04-29 | Washington County | F1 21.9 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1955-10-06 | Washington County | F1 10.5 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1953-03-14 | Washington County | F2 42.3 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $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.
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 Washington County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 30, 2025 hail ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindAshley, Washington County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-15 | Thunderstorm WindOkawville, Washington County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-11 | Thunderstorm WindVenedy, Washington County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-11-29 | Winter StormWashington County · forecast zone Washington | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-22 | Excessive HeatWashington County · forecast zone Washington | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-16 | HailRichview, Washington County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-16 | HailNashville, Washington County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-16 | HailPlum Hill, Washington County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-04-29 | FloodLively Grove, Washington County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-04-29 | HailBeaucoup, Washington County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-04-29 | Thunderstorm WindNashville, Washington County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-04-29 | Thunderstorm WindHoyleton, Washington County | 65 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-11-17 | TornadoAddieville, Washington County A tornado touchdown on Interstate 64, about 4.4 miles southwest of New Minden, blowing a tractor trailer off the interstate and causing minor injuries to the driver. The tornado then began moving northeast towards New Minden. The worst damage was about 2 miles west southwest of New Minden, where a small farm sustained ... | EF4 10.59 mi x 200 yd | 2 | 2 | – |
| 2012-07-07 | LightningNashville, Washington County A 51 year old man was killed by a lightning strike when he stepped out of his front door onto the porch. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2005-07-20 | HeatWashington County · forecast zone Washington The first significant heat wave of several years hit all of west central, southwest, and south central Illinois. Quincy hit 100 degrees or higher 4 times during the period and had a Heat Index reading of 121 degrees on July 23rd. The Metro East area of St. Louis saw temperatures top out at 100 or higher on 3 ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1998-06-23 | HeatWashington County · forecast zone Washington The first heat wave of the summer caused 1 death and over 120 heat related injuries. The bulk of the injuries in Madison County occurred at an NHRA drag racing event that was held at Gateway International Raceway June 25-28. The 1 death occurred in East St. Louis, St. Clair County. | 0 | 10 | – | |
| 2012-09-25 | TornadoOkawville, Washington County A tornado touched down near I-64 on the north side of Okawville where it blew an eastbound tractor trailer to the southwest into the median. The driver sustained minor injuries. The tornado travelled east and damaged a barn and other outbuildings at a farm along Illinois Route 177 about a quarter of a mile west of ... | EF1 3.95 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2012-09-25 | Thunderstorm WindAddieville, Washington County Rear flank downdraft winds associated with a tornadic thunderstorm destroyed an empty grain bin on a farm on Canary Road, just south of I-64. Then the winds blew over an east bound tractor trailer on I-64 near where the interstate crosses over County Road 4. The driver sustained minor injuries. | 70 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 1998-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindNashville, Washington County Thunderstorm wind gusts downed trees and power lines across the eastern half of Washington County. Highway 15 west of Nashville was closed for a short time due to downed trees. At least 300 residents lost power in the Okawville/Nashville areas. In Irvington, trees were snapped off and outbuildings destroyed. A truck ... | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-08-27 | LightningHoyleton, Washington County | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 2000-04-07 | HailHoyleton, Washington County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | $343K |
| 1995-05-18 | TornadoAddieville To, Washington County | F1 18 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $252K |
| 1998-04-15 | TornadoHoyleton, Washington County | F1 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $36K |
| 2024-05-08 | Thunderstorm WindHoyleton, Washington County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $9K |
| 2025-03-30 | HailAddieville, Washington County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2025-03-14 | Thunderstorm WindIrvington, Washington County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-03-30 | HailNew Minden, Washington County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $1K |
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: March 14, 1953 (tornado, Washington County); February 10, 1959 (tornado, Washington County); March 20, 1976 (tornado, Washington 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 Washington 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 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 25 | 42 | 33 | 24 |
| Hail | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 26 | 53 | 23 | 15 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 2 | 20 | 28 | 3 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 9 | 20 | 10 | 7 |
| Tornadoes | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 5 | 2 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 1 | 11 | 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 Washington County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 26 · Feb 18 · Mar 47 · Apr 66 · May 56 · Jun 64 · Jul 65 · Aug 43 · Sep 17 · Oct 7 · Nov 18 · Dec 14 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Washington County
FEMA's register lists 9 declarations that include Washington County: 7 major disasters, 2 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (2) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-20 | DR-4819 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Floodng |
| 2023-08-15 | DR-4728 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2020-03-26 | DR-4489 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3435 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2013-11-26 | DR-4157 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 2011-06-07 | DR-1991 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2011-03-17 | DR-1960 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2005-09-07 | EM-3230 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2002-05-21 | DR-1416 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and 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 Washington County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 18 flood or flash flood records for Washington County from 1998 to 2025, on 18 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Washington County ranks 2436th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $174,000 on 8 claims filed in Washington County; the most in one year was 2 in 1990. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 1 · 1990: 2 · 2011: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2024: 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 Washington County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Washington County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $18.4 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 Moderate | $5.7M | once in about 148 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $3.1M | 11 modeled event-days a year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $1.2M | 5.5 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $539K | 52 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $421K | 1.7 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $365K | 4.5 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $1.3M | 1.4 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.0M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Washington 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 IllinoisEvery Illinois tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in IllinoisThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Illinois recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Washington CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Washington County's FEMA declarations (CSV)9 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis