Wayne County, Ohio
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 39169 · population 116,847 · 555 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 596 records for Wayne County, Ohio from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 389 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (281 records). The most damaging was the September 16, 2010 tornado ($47.4 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 10 declarations naming the county since 1969, 8 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
- 596on 389 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 023 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $170Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 25strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 10latest 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 Wayne County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 281 since 1958. 58% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1958 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 | 281 | 208 | 1958-2026 | 0 | 7 | $7.0M | 39 of 88 |
| Hail | 143 | 87 | 1968-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 31 of 88 |
| High wind and dust storms | 47 | 43 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 4 | $10.0M | 23 of 88 |
| Winter storms | 38 | 38 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 2 | $22M | 82 of 88 |
| Floods | 36 | 27 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 0 | $21M | 80 of 88 |
| Tornadoes | 25 | 24 | 1957-2026 | 0 | 10 | $89M | 24 of 88 |
| Extreme cold | 11 | 11 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | $258K | 32 of 88 |
| Drought | 5 | 5 | 1996-1999 | 0 | 0 | $18M | 46 of 88 |
| Lightning | 4 | 4 | 1997-2006 | 0 | 0 | $1.0M | 25 of 88 |
| Heat | 2 | 2 | 1999-1999 | 0 | 0 | – | 66 of 88 |
| Heavy rain | 2 | 2 | 1996-1997 | 0 | 0 | $63K | 60 of 88 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2002-2006 | 0 | 0 | – | 18 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 Wayne County had?
NOAA records 25 tornadoes in Wayne County from 1957 to 2026, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 10 injuries recorded in the county. That is 24th 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 25 tornadoes whose track touched Wayne County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 25, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Ohio.
Every tornado record filed for Wayne County (25)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-31 | Moreland, Wayne County | EF0 0.11 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $45K |
| 2022-07-20 | Shreve, Wayne County | EF1 1.91 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $118K |
| 2017-11-05 | Wooster, Wayne County | EF1 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $90K |
| 2013-08-07 | East Union, Wayne County | EF1 0.87 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $63K |
| 2010-09-16 | Wooster, Wayne County | EF2 11.47 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $47M |
| 2009-07-31 | Moreland, Wayne County | EF1 0.28 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $48K |
| 2009-06-17 | Madisonburg, Wayne County | EF0 3.84 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $83K |
| 2003-11-12 | Wooster, Wayne County | F2 12 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 3 | $34M |
| 2002-11-10 | West Salem, Wayne County | F2 5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2002-04-19 | Doylestown, Wayne County | F0 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1999-07-01 | Rittman, Wayne County | F1 7 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $266K |
| 1997-01-05 | Kidron, Wayne County | F1 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $92K |
| 1996-07-07 | Doylestown, Wayne County | F1 1.3 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $56K |
| 1996-05-01 | Dalton, Wayne County | F1 0.1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 2 | $564K |
| 1992-07-30 | Wayne County | F0 1 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1985-03-28 | Wayne County | F1 0.5 mi x 77 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1981-06-08 | Wayne County | F1 8.6 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1980-05-13 | Wayne County | F1 0.3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1976-07-31 | Wayne County | F2 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1973-05-10 | Wayne County | F2 20.7 mi x 667 yd | 0 | 2 | $250K step |
| 1972-07-09 | Wayne County | F1 1.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1970-06-26 | Wayne County | F1 1.5 mi x 17 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1968-05-15 | Wayne County | F2 1 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1968-05-15 | Wayne County | F1 1 mi x 367 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1957-05-14 | Wayne County | F2 | 0 | 3 | $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 Wayne County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 31, 2026 tornado ($45,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
A very brief EF0 tornado with estimated peak winds of 85-mph impacted the Apple Creek area. The tornado began just west of Honeytown Road, impacted three residential properties as it moved eastward, and then ended just east of the road. The tornado uprooted and snapped trees, and caused some large tree branches to be impaled into the ground. A carport awning was lofted across a home and knocked over a TV antenna, which caused the chimney to collapse onto the roof. Additional impacts included a blown-down fence, roof damage, and damage to an external propane tank at other residences.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1315998)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindSmithville, Wayne County | 53 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-31 | TornadoMoreland, Wayne County | EF0 0.11 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $45K |
| 2026-03-22 | HailRittman, Wayne County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-22 | HailCreston, Wayne County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-24 | Thunderstorm WindWest Salem, Wayne County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-24 | Thunderstorm WindWest Salem, Wayne County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindWooster, Wayne County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-18 | HailWest Salem, Wayne County | 0.88 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindDoylestown, Wayne County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindEaston, Wayne County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindWooster, Wayne County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-05 | HailMadisonburg, Wayne County | 1.25 in hail | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-07-07 | Thunderstorm WindChippewa Twp, Wayne County Trees were snapped off and outbuildings were destroyed. Six people were injured when a large tree fell on a van. Five of them were treated and released while the sixth was held for observation. | 0 | 6 | $56K | |
| 2003-11-12 | TornadoWooster, Wayne County A tornado touched down southwest of Wooster near the intersection of U.S. Route 250 and Old Lincoln Highway (County Road 30A). Several businesses were heavily damaged near the site of the initial touchdown. The tornado then crossed State Route 302 and moved over open farmland and into a business park on the southwest ... | F2 12 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 3 | $34M |
| 1957-05-14 | TornadoWayne County | F2 | 0 | 3 | $250K step |
| 2008-09-14 | High WindWayne County · forecast zone Wayne High winds associated with the remnants of Hurricane Ike began during the late afternoon hours of September 14th and continued for most of the evening. Peak wind gusts were estimated to be around 60 mph with the strongest winds occurring between 5 and 7 pm. Damage in the county was extensive with hundreds of trees and ... | 52 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $6.5M |
| 2001-10-25 | High WindWayne County · forecast zone Wayne Damaging westerly winds occurred in northern Ohio behind a strong cold front. The strongest winds occurred during the late afternoon and evening hours. The peak recorded wind was a 69 mph gust at Louisville in Stark County with a 57 mph gust measured on a bridge over Sandusky Bay (Erie County). Hundreds of trees were ... | 0 | 2 | $167K | |
| 1999-01-02 | Winter StormWayne County · forecast zone Wayne Snow changed to freezing rain and sleet, with a brief change to rain as temperatures rose slightly above freezing, and then back to snow. Temperatures dropped quickly into the teens causing the wet snow and ice to refreeze and creating significant ice on the ground, roads and sidewalks. Snow accumulations generally ... | 0 | 2 | $27K | |
| 1996-05-01 | TornadoDalton, Wayne County A tornado briefly touched down at the Lincoln Terrace Estate Trailer Park damaging 18 trailers and destroying two before lifting back into the clouds. There were 2 minor injuries. | F1 0.1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 2 | $564K |
| 1973-05-10 | TornadoWayne County | F2 20.7 mi x 667 yd | 0 | 2 | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-09-16 | TornadoWooster, Wayne County | EF2 11.47 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $47M |
| 2003-11-12 | TornadoWooster, Wayne County | F2 12 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 3 | $34M |
| 1999-09-01 | DroughtWayne County · forecast zone Wayne | 0 | 0 | $18M | |
| 2019-07-21 | Flash FloodMaysville, Wayne County | 0 | 0 | $9.2M | |
| 2004-12-22 | Winter StormWayne County · forecast zone Wayne | 0 | 0 | $9.1M | |
| 2008-09-14 | High WindWayne County · forecast zone Wayne | 52 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $6.5M |
| 2005-01-03 | FloodWayne County · forecast zone Wayne | 0 | 0 | $5.1M | |
| 2004-05-21 | Flash FloodNorth Portion, Wayne County | 0 | 0 | $1.7M |
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: May 14, 1957 (tornado, Wayne County); May 10, 1973 (tornado, Wayne County); June 8, 1981 (tornado, Wayne 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 Wayne 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 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 34 | 62 | 73 | 69 | 37 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 16 | 58 | 46 | 8 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 10 | 22 | 10 | 5 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 7 | 19 | 7 | 5 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 13 | 9 | 6 | 8 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
58% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1958 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 22 · Feb 27 · Mar 27 · Apr 51 · May 87 · Jun 150 · Jul 93 · Aug 64 · Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Nov 19 · Dec 23 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Wayne County
FEMA's register lists 10 declarations that include Wayne County: 5 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (4) and biological (2).
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 2002-11-18 | DR-1444 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 1978-01-26 | EM-3055 | Snowstorm | Blizzards & Snowstorms |
| 1977-02-02 | EM-3029 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
| 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 Wayne County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 36 flood or flash flood records for Wayne County from 1996 to 2024, on 27 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Wayne County ranks 1019th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.8 million on 175 claims filed in Wayne County; the most in one year was 62 in 1979. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 5 · 1979: 62 · 1980: 7 · 1981: 3 · 1982: 3 · 1984: 3 · 1987: 2 · 1990: 5 · 1991: 2 · 1992: 6 · 1994: 2 · 1995: 1 · 2001: 1 · 2003: 3 · 2004: 11 · 2005: 3 · 2006: 2 · 2011: 28 · 2013: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2019: 18 · 2024: 1 · 2026: 2; 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 Wayne County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wayne County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $22.2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Weather | Relatively High | $272K | 9.9 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High | $464K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $1.6M | 4.1 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $1.3M | 2.3 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $3.0M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $566K | 41 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $13M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $767K | 2.3 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 Wayne 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 Wayne CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Wayne County's FEMA declarations (CSV)10 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis