White County, Indiana
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 18181 · population 24,684 · 505 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 444 records for White County, Indiana from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 307 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (151 records). The deadliest single record is the April 3, 1974 tornado: 10 deaths and 73 injuries. FEMA has issued 18 declarations naming the county since 1974, 16 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding” on August 15, 2026.
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
- 444on 307 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 1275 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $51Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 27strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 18latest 2026
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 White County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 151 since 1958. 50% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1958 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Indiana'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 | 151 | 106 | 1958-2026 | 0 | 2 | $1.7M | 84 of 91 |
| Floods | 88 | 69 | 1997-2018 | 0 | 0 | $42M | 41 of 91 |
| Winter storms | 81 | 71 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $36K | 43 of 91 |
| Hail | 62 | 45 | 1965-2019 | 0 | 0 | – | 78 of 91 |
| Tornadoes | 27 | 22 | 1954-2023 | 10 | 73 | $7.4M | 61 of 91 |
| High wind and dust storms | 17 | 13 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 0 | $15K | 52 of 91 |
| Extreme cold | 7 | 6 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 67 of 91 |
| Drought | 5 | 4 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 52 of 91 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 4 | 4 | 1996-2015 | 2 | 0 | – | 11 of 91 |
| Heat | 1 | 1 | 1997-1997 | 0 | 0 | – | 65 of 91 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2015-2015 | 0 | 0 | – | 58 of 91 |
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 White County had?
NOAA records 27 tornadoes in White County from 1954 to 2023, the strongest rated F4, with 10 deaths and 73 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 27 tornadoes whose track touched White County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 27, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 18 people, 10 of them in White County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974-04-03 15:45, as SPC files it | Monticello to Rochester | F4 | 108.7 mi | 18 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Indiana.
Every tornado record filed for White County (27)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-03-31 | Badger Grove, White County | EF2 4.59 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-03-31 | Smithson, White County | EF0 1.29 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-08-15 | Badger Grove, White County | EF0 0.26 mi x 22 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-07-23 | Idaville, White County | EF0 1.71 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $48K |
| 2017-05-20 | Wolcott, White County | EF0 0.65 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2016-03-31 | Seafield, White County | EF0 3.11 mi x 120 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-11-17 | Smithson, White County | EF2 4.15 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-11-17 | Badger Grove, White County | EF2 9.23 mi x 900 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-11-17 | Badger Grove, White County | EF2 9.1 mi x 1,200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-11-17 | Smithson, White County | EF2 4.15 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-11-17 | Burnettsville, White County | EF1 0.81 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2010-06-06 | Chalmers, White County | EF0 3.64 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $271K |
| 2010-06-04 | Wolcott, White County | EF0 0.09 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2006-05-31 | Monticello, White County | F0 7 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-07-09 | Monticello, White County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-01-18 | Lafayette, White County | F0 6 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1975-06-14 | White County | F0 0.1 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1974-04-03 | White County | F4 36.1 mi x 900 yd | 10 | 73 | – |
| 1970-05-14 | White County | F0 1.5 mi x 177 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1968-04-14 | White County | F2 | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1967-04-21 | White County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1963-06-07 | White County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $30 step |
| 1962-04-30 | White County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1961-07-28 | White County | F2 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1958-06-13 | White County | F2 8.4 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1956-03-06 | White County | 0 | 0 | $3K step | |
| 1954-06-01 | White County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $3K 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 White County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 11, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindWhite Co Airport, White County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter WeatherWhite County · forecast zone White | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-29 | Winter StormWhite County · forecast zone White | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindGuernsey, White County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindMonticello, White County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $100K |
| 2025-03-30 | Thunderstorm WindGuernsey, White County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2025-03-15 | Thunderstorm WindChalmers, White County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2025-02-05 | Winter WeatherWhite County · forecast zone White | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2023-03-31 | TornadoBadger Grove, White County | EF2 4.59 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-03-31 | TornadoSmithson, White County | EF0 1.29 mi x 125 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-08-15 | TornadoBadger Grove, White County | EF0 0.26 mi x 22 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-02-20 | FloodGarwood Airport, White County | 0 | 0 | $270K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974-04-03 | TornadoWhite County | F4 36.1 mi x 900 yd | 10 | 73 | – |
| 2015-03-10 | Dense FogWhite County · forecast zone White Dense fog played havoc from the late evening hours of March 10th to shortly after sunrise on March 11th, contributing to several accidents and numerous school closings. This dense fog was a factor in 2 separate accidents, the first occurring around 10 pm local time on Interstate 65 near mile marker 188, with a second ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2005-06-05 | Thunderstorm WindCountywide, White County Wind damage was reported in several parts of White county as a result of 50 to 70 mph wind gusts. 4 semi trailers were blown off I-65 between mile markers 191 and 198. Three of them were northbound and the other southbound. One of the drivers suffered minor injuries as a result of the upset truck. A large tree fell ... | 61 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $68K |
| 1994-06-23 | Thunderstorm WindWhite County A mobile home was blown over south of Monticello. Near Wolcott a barn was heavily damaged, and a person was injured. | 0 | 1 | $995K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-07-05 | FloodTippecanoe County and White County · forecast zone Tippecanoe | 0 | 0 | $16M | |
| 2003-07-05 | FloodTippecanoe County and White County · forecast zone Tippecanoe | 0 | 0 | $13M | |
| 2008-01-08 | Flash FloodNorway, White County | 0 | 0 | $2.7M | |
| 2009-03-11 | Flash FloodNorway, White County | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 1994-06-23 | Thunderstorm WindWhite County | 0 | 1 | $995K | |
| 2005-01-03 | FloodTippecanoe County and White County · forecast zone Tippecanoe | 0 | 0 | $907K | |
| 2008-01-08 | FloodWolcott, White County | 0 | 0 | $343K | |
| 2010-06-06 | TornadoChalmers, White County | EF0 3.64 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $271K |
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: April 30, 1962 (tornado, White County); April 14, 1968 (tornado, White County); May 14, 1970 (tornado, White 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 White 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 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 20 | 43 | 34 | 23 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 22 | 61 | 5 | 0 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 10 | 27 | 33 | 11 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 34 | 14 | 0 |
| Tornadoes | 3 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 2 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 3 | 10 | 3 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
50% 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 51 · Feb 43 · Mar 37 · Apr 37 · May 32 · Jun 81 · Jul 53 · Aug 36 · Sep 23 · Oct 10 · Nov 15 · Dec 26 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for White County
FEMA's register lists 18 declarations that include White County: 11 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (7) and snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-15 | EM-3651 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3641 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2023-04-15 | DR-4704 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 2020-04-03 | DR-4515 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3456 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-05-04 | DR-4363 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2014-04-22 | DR-4173 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2009-04-22 | DR-1832 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2008-01-30 | DR-1740 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2007-03-12 | EM-3274 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3238 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-01-21 | DR-1573 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 2004-06-03 | DR-1520 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2003-07-11 | DR-1476 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2001-01-24 | EM-3162 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 1999-01-15 | EM-3135 | Snowstorm | In-Winter Storm 12/23/98 |
| 1991-03-29 | DR-899 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm |
| 1974-04-04 | DR-423 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
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 White County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 88 flood or flash flood records for White County from 1997 to 2018, on 69 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), White County ranks 860th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $5.0 million on 237 claims filed in White County; the most in one year was 52 in 2008. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 1 · 1980: 1 · 1981: 7 · 1982: 4 · 1983: 1 · 1985: 16 · 1990: 10 · 1992: 1 · 1993: 7 · 1994: 13 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 1 · 1999: 1 · 2002: 1 · 2003: 8 · 2005: 1 · 2006: 1 · 2007: 1 · 2008: 52 · 2009: 49 · 2010: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2015: 26 · 2018: 25 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 3 · 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 White County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates White County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $12.5 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 | $2.4M | 4.1 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $709K | 4.9 a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $506K | 3.4 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $476K | once in about 616 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.4M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $6.6M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $281K | 5.1 modeled event-days a year |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $42K | 9.3 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 White 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 IndianaEvery Indiana tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in IndianaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Indiana recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in White CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download White County's FEMA declarations (CSV)18 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis