Seymour
Population 22,450 (2025)
93 tornadoes have tracked within 25 miles of Seymour since 1950, 12 of them rated EF3 or F3 or stronger; the most recent was on July 16, 2025.
Hazard fingerprint Each spoke is this county’s percentile among U.S. counties where that hazard occurs. How it is computed
- Tornado damage paths within 25 miles since 195093
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger1
- Wildfire burn scars within 25 miles since 198427
- Major flood years since 1978, Jackson County1
At a glance
Tornado paths within 25 miles, tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles and wildfire perimeters within 25 miles of the city centre. Storm events, flood insurance claims and disaster declarations are for Jackson County. Earthquakes within 50 miles, volcanoes within 100 miles and smoke days are measured from the city centre; river and tide gauges, tsunami and landslide records and the drought index are for Jackson County.
Strongest tornado
F5
April 3, 1974, 68.0 mile path
Tornadoes
About one tornado a year since 1950, 12 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
April 3, 1974
F5, 68.0 mile path
10 yards wide; 6 killed along the whole path.
Deadliest
April 3, 1974
11 killed, F4
190 injured along the whole path.
Most recent
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
EFU, 0.2 mile path
Within the past year.
Every recorded tornado
| Jul 16, 2025 | EFU | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| May 16, 2025 | EF2 | 35.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2025 | EF2 | 15.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2025 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 19, 2025 | EF2 | 13.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 15, 2025 | EF1 | 2.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2023 | EF1 | 1.7 | 0 | 0 |
| May 6, 2022 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 15, 2021 | EF0 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2019 | EF0 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2019 | EF1 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 14, 2019 | EF0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 14, 2019 | EF1 | 1.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2018 | EF0 | 1.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 5, 2017 | EF1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 1, 2017 | EF1 | 2.1 | 10 | 0 |
| Mar 1, 2017 | EF2 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 1, 2017 | EF1 | 5.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 25, 2011 | EF1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF1 | 2.4 | 0 | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF3 | 6.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 22, 2011 | EF0 | 3.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2011 | EF0 | 11.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2011 | EF0 | 13.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2011 | EF0 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 29, 2008 | EF1 | 10.7 | 0 | 0 |
| May 15, 2007 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2006 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2006 | F1 | 8.1 | 4 | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2005 | F1 | 5.3 | 0 | 0 |
| May 30, 2004 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 30, 2004 | F1 | 10.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2002 | F1 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1999 | F3 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | F1 | 9.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 8, 1996 | F0 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| May 8, 1996 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 8, 1996 | F2 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1996 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1996 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1996 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1993 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | F2 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 22, 1991 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | F3 | 41.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | F2 | 4.5 | 2 | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | F4 | 18.0 | 9 | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | F2 | 18.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | F1 | 10.0 | 2 | 0 |
| Jan 7, 1989 | F1 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 19, 1988 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 19, 1988 | F1 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 |
| May 25, 1987 | F1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| May 25, 1987 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| May 25, 1987 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 10, 1986 | F2 | 12.0 | 25 | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1985 | F2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 1, 1979 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 1, 1979 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1978 | F1 | 0.5 | 6 | 0 |
| May 23, 1978 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 23, 1978 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 26, 1976 | F3 | 14.6 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 26, 1976 | F3 | 4.9 | 10 | 1 |
| Sep 26, 1976 | F1 | 19.8 | 1 | 0 |
| Jan 13, 1976 | F1 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| May 25, 1975 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | F4 | 35.6 | 190 | 11 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | F4 | 35.6 | 17 | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | F3 | 35.8 | 26 | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | F5 | 68.0 | 86 | 6 |
| Jun 26, 1973 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1973 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1971 | F1 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| May 24, 1971 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | F1 | 9.1 | 2 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1970 | F1 | 12.8 | 0 | 0 |
| May 10, 1969 | F2 | 6.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1968 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 14, 1968 | F3 | 3.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 11, 1967 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | F2 | 6.3 | 2 | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | F2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1963 | F3 | 85.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1963 | F2 | 14.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 11, 1963 | F2 | 5.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 6, 1961 | F2 | 1.0 | 3 | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1959 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1958 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1957 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1956 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond this area.
- Weak tornadoes were under-recorded before Doppler radar coverage became national in the early 1990s, so earlier decades read low. Ratings use the Fujita scale before February 2007 and the Enhanced Fujita scale after.
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
1 tropical cyclone passed within 100 miles since 1851, none within 50.
Most recent
September 28, 2024
Helene, Remnant low
70.0 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
- Tropical storms and hurricanes (34 kt or more, still tropical) at closest approach. Post-tropical remnants with gale-force winds are listed but not counted. Direct: track within 50 miles; near: within 100 miles. Distance is measured to the county boundary for counties and to the city centre for cities, using positions interpolated hourly between HURDAT2 fixes.
National Hurricane Center HURDAT2, 1851 to 2025.
Wildfire and smoke
27 large fires burned within 25 miles since 1984.
Largest
March 30, 1998
Jpg 09 1 Fire, 6,108 acres
23.7 miles from the city centre.
Most recent
March 14, 2011
Wui Units 0 And 1 2011 Fire
2,214 acres in total.
Every large fire
| Wui Units 0 And 1 2011 | 2011 | 23.7 | 2,214 |
| Tracer | 2010 | 24.0 | 1,409 |
| Fy 09 Unit 42 Rx Fall 2008 | 2008 | 22.8 | 1,944 |
| Fy 09 Unit 3 Rx Fall 2008 | 2008 | 22.7 | 945 |
| Fy 09 Unit 43 Fall 2008 Rx Charge Code | 2008 | 23.4 | 753 |
| Unit 2 07 Wui | 2007 | 23.4 | 571 |
| Unit 19 06 Wui | 2006 | 23.9 | 3,411 |
| Unit 8 06 | 2006 | 23.7 | 708 |
| Unit 3 05 | 2005 | 22.6 | 2,512 |
| Unit 19 | 2004 | 23.9 | 2,007 |
| Unit 11 | 2004 | 23.7 | 864 |
| Unit 2 | 2004 | 23.5 | 521 |
| Unit 1 | 2004 | 23.3 | 667 |
| Unit 30 | 2004 | 24.4 | 940 |
| Wui 3 03 | 2003 | 22.6 | 3,371 |
| Unit 8 03 | 2003 | 23.5 | 1,764 |
| Unit 8 | 2002 | 23.7 | 2,752 |
| Unit 3 | 2002 | 22.6 | 930 |
| Unit 28 | 2002 | 24.6 | 1,260 |
| Unit 1 | 2002 | 23.3 | 704 |
| Jpg 26 | 2000 | 23.5 | 749 |
| Unnamed | 1999 | 22.6 | 3,120 |
| Unnamed | 1999 | 23.7 | 720 |
| Unnamed | 1999 | 24.1 | 701 |
| Jpg 09 1 | 1998 | 23.7 | 6,108 |
| Unnamed | 1995 | 23.3 | 1,023 |
| Unnamed | 1995 | 23.5 | 1,456 |
- Large fires mapped by the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity program since 1984: 1,000 acres or more in the West, 500 or more in the East. Prescribed burns are excluded. Acres here are the part of each perimeter inside this place.
Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (USGS and U.S. Forest Service), 1984 to 2026.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 53 days
Heavy smoke on 14 days in 2021, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
17.4 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
11 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 39 so far in 2026.
- A smoke day is a date on which a smoke plume traced by NOAA Hazard Mapping System analysts from satellite imagery covered this place's point (the county's population centre or the city centre). Counts here are of medium or heavy smoke. Since 2018 analysts have often drawn light smoke as one area over most of the continent, so light-smoke counts are not comparable from year to year. The plumes show smoke anywhere in the air above, not air quality at the ground, and smoke hidden by cloud is missed.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, 2011 to 2026, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Floods and flood insurance
96 federal flood insurance claims since 1982, with $1.1 million paid.
Flood insurance figures are for Jackson County, the county that contains Seymour.
Most claims in one year
2008: 39 claims
$512,000 paid.
2nd most
2015: 7 claims
$163,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 47274 | 48 | $446,000 |
| 47260 | 25 | $280,000 |
| 47281 | 13 | $102,000 |
| 47220 | 6 | $109,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flood104
- Flash Flood30
- Heavy Rain2
4 deaths recorded in flood events since 1996.
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026. NOAA Storm Events through 2026.
River crests
River gauges in Jackson County, the county that contains Seymour.
Most severe crest
March 28, 1913
East Fork White River at Sparksville, 41.72 ft
21.72 feet above the 20.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
May 21, 2026
East Fork White River near Seymour, 18.06 ft
Moderate flooding.
River gauges
| East Fork White River at Sparksville | 20.0 | 41.72 ft | 4 |
| East Fork White River near Seymour | 12.0 | 21.00 ft | 16 |
- Crests are the highest and the recent crests the National Weather Service lists for each river gauge in the county that has a flood stage, not every flood. Flood categories use each gauge's current flood stages; crests from before levees, dams or channel changes may not be comparable. Crests measured on an old datum are left out of the rankings.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge records, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Drought
In severe drought or worse for 142 of 1,581 months since 1895 (9%); the longest spell lasted 18 months.
The drought index is for Jackson County, the county that contains Seymour.
142
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
61
Months in extreme drought
9%
Share of all months, severe or worse
11
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
February 1931
−6.01, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
18 months
November 1933 to April 1935.
Latest month
September 2026
+1.65, slightly wet
Last severe month: August 2012.
- The Palmer Drought Severity Index is computed by NOAA each month from the county's average temperature and precipitation, relative to the county's own climate. Zero is normal; -3 or lower is severe drought and -4 or lower extreme drought. It describes the long-term balance of moisture, not water supply or crop losses.
NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, 1895 to September 2026, issued October 6, 2026.
Earthquakes
3 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more within 50 miles since 1909; none reached magnitude 4.
1
Magnitude 3+ within 50 miles since 1973
0
Magnitude 4+ within 50 miles since 1900
0
Magnitude 5+ within 50 miles since 1900
Largest within 50 miles
September 12, 2004
Magnitude 3.8
4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana; 47.0 miles away, 1.5 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
September 12, 2004
Magnitude 3.8
4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana; 47.0 miles away.
- Earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more in the USGS Comprehensive Catalog since 1900. Within 50 miles means the epicentre lies within 50 miles of the city centre.
- Small earthquakes were under-recorded before the modern seismic networks of the 1970s and are still missed in remote areas, so early decades read low. Magnitudes are as the catalogue reports them and mix scales (moment, local and body-wave).
USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog, 1900 to present, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Severe weather and other events
455 events in the National Weather Service record for Jackson County, 392 of them since 1996.
46
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
1
Hail, 2 inches or larger
107
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
38
Winter weather events since 1996
3
Heat events since 1996
2
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
November 18, 2025
2.00 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
March 7, 2022
86 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 4 | 0 |
| Dense fog and smoke | 1 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Jun 5, 2008Flood$30.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Flood occurred along the East Fork White River in Jackson County, including in the cities of Seymour and Rockford, due to heavy rain. Water was over roads and houses were flooded in Medora. Water also affected several homes on the east side of Cortland and trapped some residents. In Seymour and Rockford multiple homes were affected by flood waters. many low spots around the county were flooded. Water rescues were made and a railroad bridge was washed out.
- Jun 5, 2008Flood$5.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Flooding occurred along the Muscatatuck River in Jackson County due to heavy rainfall.
- May 8, 1996Tornado$1.3 million
National Weather Service narrative
A strong tornado developed just west of Seymour and moved across the downtown area causing major damage before lifting. In all, nine businesses sustained major damage, eighty-eight homes were damaged and seven homes were destroyed. Three mobile homes were also destroyed. The Seymour highschool also received damage.
- Jan 22, 1999Flood, Jackson$1.3 million
National Weather Service narrative
A combination of snowmelt and a heavy rain storm late on the 21st and 22nd caused widespread flood along the East Fork of the White River. Travel was very difficult in Jackson county as bridge construction had closed U.S. Hiughway 50, the only east-west road in the county that the East Fork does not flood. The East Fork flooded all local roads used as a detour for Highway 50. Columbus crested at 12.64 feet (flood stage is 9 feet), Seymour at 17.47 feet (flood stage is 12 feet), Bedford at 28.15 feet (flood stage is 20 feet), Williams at 10.9 feet (flood stage is 8 feet) and Shoals at 21.16 feet (flood stage is 20 feet).
- Apr 27, 2026Thunderstorm Wind$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
Thunderstorm wind gusts downed 30 power poles and damaged house roofs.
- Jan 3, 2005Flood, Jackson$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
All of the snow cover from the historic pre-Christmas 2004 snow storm melted by New Year's Day 2005 as the dew point temperatures rose into the 50s. Lowland flooding occurred along the East Fork White River in Jackson County. The White River in southern Indiana rose to bankfull levels. This was the result of the melting snow cover.With warm air over Indiana, a storm system brought 2 to 4 inches of rain to much of central and southern Indiana from the 1st through the 3rd. Because of the saturated soil conditions, widespread local flooding occurred in central and southern Indiana. The major rivers in the state were flooding by the 4th. Another storm system quickly followed from the…
- Jun 17, 2026Tornado$400,000
National Weather Service narrative
An EF-1 tornado with path length of 6.35 miles and a maximum width of 325 yards moved through portions of Jackson county. The peak winds were 110 mph with the tornado impacting mostly heavily wooded areas and a few residences.
- Jun 7, 2006Tornado$400,000
National Weather Service narrative
An F1 tornado touched down in eastern Jackson County on the evening of 7 June 2006, damaging or destroying a double wide trailer, a restaurant, four other homes, and numerous large trees.
- Apr 27, 2026Tornado$300,000
National Weather Service narrative
An EF-1 Tornado with a path length of 3.71 miles and path width of 100 yards moved through this area. The estimated peak winds were 105 mph with damage including snapped trees and two barns destroyed. The tornado touched down just east of Co Road 300E where multiple trees were snapped about 15 to 20 ft above ground. The tornado then moved northeast and caused substantial damage to barns and to at least one home across a three to four mile path before lifting near Co Road 600E to the north of County Road 1000N. The tornado may not have been on the ground continuously for the whole track.
- May 30, 2004Tornado$250,000
National Weather Service narrative
An F0 tornado blew done numerous trees and a HAM radio antenna and did damage to the roof of a business.
- Storm Events records before 1996 cover only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail. Damage figures are as reported by the National Weather Service at the time, not adjusted for inflation.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1950 to 2026, issued October 26, 2026.
Weather records
From Columbus, 15.3 miles from the city centre, with records from 1893.
- All-time high
- 111°F2 times, most recently Jul 24, 1934
- All-time low
- −27°F2 times, most recently Jan 13, 1912
- Warmest night
- 85°FJun 28, 1894
- Coldest day
- −6°F2 times, most recently Jan 19, 1994
- Wettest day
- 7.00 inMar 25, 1913
- Snowiest day
- 16.0 inDec 23, 2004
- Hottest year
- 1921mean 58.1°F
- Coldest year
- 1917mean 50.1°F
- Wettest year
- 201959.98 in
- Driest year
- 193426.88 in
- Snowiest season
- 43.0 in1995-96
Median first snow
December 9
Earliest: October 19, 1989
Median last snow
March 8
Latest: April 21, 2021
0 of 96 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Columbus (USC00121747), 609 ft elevation, 15.3 miles from the city centre. Daily records from 1893 to October 27, 2026; 95.7% of days in the last 30 years are complete. Records at a single station can differ from a city’s official threaded record, which may combine several stations.
NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily.
Federal disaster declarations
17 since 1953. The most recent: Severe Winter Storm, January 24, 2026.
Declarations for Jackson County.
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3641-IN |
| Apr 3, 2020 | Biological | DR-4515-IN |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3456-IN |
| Jun 23, 2011 | Severe Storm | DR-1997-IN |
| Mar 5, 2009 | Severe Storm | DR-1828-IN |
| Sep 23, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1795-IN |
| Jun 8, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1766-IN |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3238-IN |
| Jan 21, 2005 | Severe Storm | DR-1573-IN |
| Jan 11, 2005 | Snowstorm | EM-3197-IN |
| Jun 3, 2004 | Severe Storm | DR-1520-IN |
| Jun 13, 2002 | Severe Storm | DR-1418-IN |
| Apr 2, 1996 | Flood | DR-1109-IN |
| Aug 17, 1992 | Flood | DR-953-IN |
| Jun 4, 1990 | Severe Storm | DR-869-IN |
| Jul 31, 1979 | Flood | DR-596-IN |
| Apr 4, 1974 | Tornado | DR-423-IN |
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved October 30, 2026. Statewide declarations are not listed.
Sources and vintage
Every number on this page comes from these public records.
- Tornadoes NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, through 2025.
- Tropical cyclones NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 (Atlantic; Northeast and Central Pacific), through 2025.
- Wildfire USGS/USFS Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity, through 2026.
- Storm events NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, through 2026.
- Flood insurance OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026.
- Declarations OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Weather records NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily, station USC00121747.
- River crests NOAA National Weather Service, National Water Prediction Service river gauges, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Drought NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, through September 2026.
- Smoke NOAA NESDIS Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Earthquakes USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), retrieved October 30, 2026.
Joins, thresholds and known limits are set out in the methodology. Found an error? Report it. Page built October 30, 2026.