Washington County, Ohio
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 39167 · population 59,732 · 632 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 689 records for Washington County, Ohio from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 466 days; the most frequent are floods and flash floods (216 records). The deadliest single record is the April 3, 2024 flood: 1 death. FEMA has issued 20 declarations naming the county since 1968, 18 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
- 689on 466 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 213 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $68Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 8strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 20latest 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 Washington County most?
The most frequent records are floods and flash floods: 216 since 1996. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floods | 216 | 136 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 0 | $52M | 6 of 88 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 183 | 131 | 1974-2026 | 0 | 3 | $8.6M | 86 of 88 |
| Hail | 105 | 58 | 1980-2026 | 0 | 0 | $84K | 72 of 88 |
| Winter storms | 68 | 68 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $142K | 66 of 88 |
| Extreme cold | 33 | 33 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $366K | 9 of 88 |
| High wind and dust storms | 26 | 26 | 1999-2026 | 0 | 3 | $299K | 55 of 88 |
| Heat | 19 | 19 | 1997-2018 | 0 | 0 | $24K | 9 of 88 |
| Drought | 12 | 12 | 1999-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 13 of 88 |
| Heavy rain | 10 | 10 | 1998-2011 | 0 | 0 | $28K | 9 of 88 |
| Tornadoes | 8 | 8 | 1971-2021 | 0 | 5 | $5.7M | 80 of 88 |
| Lightning | 7 | 6 | 1996-2017 | 0 | 2 | $326K | 18 of 88 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2015-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 23 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 Washington County had?
NOAA records 8 tornadoes in Washington County from 1971 to 2021, the strongest rated F2, with 0 deaths and 5 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 8 tornadoes whose track touched Washington County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 8, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Ohio.
Every tornado record filed for Washington County (8)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-07-29 | Macksburg, Washington County | EF0 0.07 mi x 55 yd | 0 | 0 | $545 |
| 2015-06-20 | Bartlett, Washington County | EF0 0.12 mi x 77 yd | 0 | 0 | $19K |
| 2000-05-23 | Waterford, Washington County | F1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $257K |
| 1990-09-16 | Washington County | F0 1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1990-07-22 | Washington County | F0 13 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1981-07-28 | Washington County | F2 1.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 5 | $250K step |
| 1973-07-10 | Washington County | F1 0.3 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1971-07-24 | Washington County | F2 1 mi x 33 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 June 20, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($3,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-20 | Thunderstorm WindLowell, Washington County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2026-05-27 | FloodBeverly, Washington County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-27 | FloodBloomfield, Washington County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-27 | FloodMacksburg, Washington County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-25 | FloodMacksburg, Washington County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-23 | FloodBloomfield, Washington County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-19 | Thunderstorm WindPatten Mills, Washington County | 45 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-04-01 | Thunderstorm WindMarietta, Washington County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-04-01 | Thunderstorm WindMarietta, Washington County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2026-04-01 | Thunderstorm WindWilliamstown, Washington County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-04-01 | Thunderstorm WindMarietta, Washington County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2026-04-01 | Thunderstorm WindMarietta, Washington County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $8K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-04-03 | FloodGrandview, Washington County The Ohio River gauge at Willow Island Lock rose above its flood stage on the morning of April 3rd, then reached a crest of around 41.3 feet the morning of the 5th. The river then receded below flood stage the next morning. With the river spilling out of its banks, water inundated Ohio Route 7 in the Reno area. Ohio ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1998-06-27 | Flash FloodCountywide, Washington County The second night of thunderstorms hit during Saturday night the 27th, into Sunday morning, the 28th. Portions of Athens, Washington, and Meigs Counties were hit hard by flooding from this round. The third night of thunderstorms was on Sunday the 28th into Monday the 29th. The final night was a bit further south and ... | 1 | 0 | $18M | |
| 1981-07-28 | TornadoWashington County | F2 1.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 5 | $250K step |
| 2001-10-24 | High WindWashington County · forecast zone Washington Wind gusts estimated around 40 mph caused scattered property damage, mainly from branches falling onto homes. The southern end of the county, from Barlow to Belpre and Little Hocking bore the brunt of the wind. An interstate construction sign blew into an approaching vehicle near Marietta, causing minor injuries. | 0 | 3 | $25K | |
| 2000-05-23 | Thunderstorm WindMarietta, Washington County A double wide mobile home was destroyed after its roof was blown off. The home was located on Warren Township Road 277. Seven people were in the home at the time, 3 were taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later released. The National Weather Service survey estimated winds of 60 to 70 mph from the microburst. | 0 | 3 | $77K | |
| 2001-06-12 | LightningWatertown, Washington County Two men were stuck by separate lightning bolts. One was in Muskingum Township, the other was from Waterford Township. They were treated and released from Marietta hospitals. | 0 | 2 | – |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-09-17 | FloodWashington County · forecast zone Washington | 0 | 0 | $27M | |
| 1998-06-27 | Flash FloodCountywide, Washington County | 1 | 0 | $18M | |
| 2012-06-29 | Thunderstorm WindBartlett, Washington County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3.9M |
| 1998-06-27 | Thunderstorm WindMarietta, Washington County | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 2005-01-05 | FloodWashington County · forecast zone Washington | 0 | 0 | $1.1M | |
| 1996-01-20 | FloodWashington County · forecast zone Washington | 0 | 0 | $941K | |
| 1997-03-01 | Flash FloodCountywide, Washington County | 0 | 0 | $919K | |
| 2004-01-04 | FloodWashington County · forecast zone Washington | 0 | 0 | $781K |
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 28, 1981 (tornado, Washington County); July 24, 1971 (tornado, Washington County); July 10, 1973 (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 13 | 14 | 85 | 104 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 40 | 34 | 51 | 39 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 33 | 27 | 30 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 5 | 13 | 25 | 25 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 12 | 11 | 8 | 2 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 1 | 11 | 4 | 10 |
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 78 · Feb 87 · Mar 56 · Apr 99 · May 62 · Jun 94 · Jul 77 · Aug 43 · Sep 22 · Oct 17 · Nov 19 · Dec 35 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Washington County
FEMA's register lists 20 declarations that include Washington County: 15 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (10) 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 |
| 2005-02-15 | DR-1580 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| 2004-09-19 | DR-1556 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2004-01-26 | DR-1507 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides |
| 2003-03-14 | DR-1453 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Record/Near Record Snow |
| 1998-06-30 | DR-1227 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 1997-03-04 | DR-1164 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1996-01-27 | DR-1097 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1995-08-25 | DR-1065 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1978-01-26 | EM-3055 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| 1977-02-02 | EM-3029 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
| 1973-06-04 | DR-390 | Mud/Landslide | Mudslides |
| 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 Washington County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 216 flood or flash flood records for Washington County from 1996 to 2026, on 136 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Washington County ranks 271st of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $18.3 million on 1,302 claims filed in Washington County; the most in one year was 472 in 2004. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 3 · 1979: 96 · 1980: 13 · 1981: 5 · 1982: 1 · 1984: 1 · 1985: 9 · 1987: 1 · 1988: 1 · 1990: 33 · 1991: 9 · 1994: 34 · 1995: 1 · 1996: 89 · 1997: 13 · 1998: 91 · 2000: 7 · 2001: 1 · 2002: 1 · 2003: 6 · 2004: 472 · 2005: 303 · 2007: 2 · 2008: 1 · 2009: 2 · 2010: 5 · 2011: 21 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 11 · 2015: 5 · 2016: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 23 · 2019: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2024: 21 · 2026: 7; 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 $22.3 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 Moderate | $43K | 1.5 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $19M | 4 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $238K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $361K | 46 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $660K | 3.1 modeled event-days a year |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $293K | 4 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $320K | 2.6 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $528K | 1.1 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 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 OhioEvery Ohio tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Floods in OhioThe state's floods and flash floods, 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 Washington CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Washington County's FEMA declarations (CSV)20 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis