Wabash
Population 10,190 (2025)
94 tornadoes have tracked within 25 miles of Wabash since 1950, 13 of them rated EF3 or F3 or stronger; the most recent was on March 19, 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 195094
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 Wabash 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 Wabash County.
Strongest tornado
F4
April 11, 1965, 48.0 mile path
Federal disaster declarations
14
Most recent: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, 2026
DetailsSnowiest season
69.2in
Winter of 1981-82
Tornadoes
About one tornado a year since 1950, 13 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
April 11, 1965
F4, 48.0 mile path
880 yards wide; 25 killed along the whole path.
Most recent
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
EF0, 2.7 mile path
Within the past year.
Every recorded tornado
| Mar 19, 2025 | EF0 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2023 | EF0 | 2.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF2 | 3.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF1 | 6.3 | 1 | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2020 | EF0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF1 | 1.9 | 0 | 0 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF2 | 4.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF3 | 13.7 | 0 | 0 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF1 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| May 23, 2019 | EF1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2018 | EF0 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2017 | EF1 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2016 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2016 | EF1 | 17.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2016 | EF3 | 8.6 | 20 | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2016 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2016 | EF2 | 2.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2016 | EF1 | 2.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2016 | EF1 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2014 | EF1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2014 | EF1 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF2 | 4.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF2 | 11.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF1 | 2.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF2 | 25.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 37.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2013 | EF1 | 3.5 | 2 | 0 |
| May 23, 2011 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF1 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF0 | 1.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF0 | 5.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2010 | EF3 | 7.5 | 1 | 0 |
| May 30, 2008 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 30, 2008 | EF1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | F1 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 26, 2005 | F2 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 30, 2004 | F3 | 4.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2004 | F0 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2004 | F0 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2004 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2004 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | F0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2003 | F0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2003 | F1 | 8.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 9, 2003 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 26, 2001 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 26, 2001 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 14, 2000 | F2 | 7.0 | 3 | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1998 | F3 | 18.5 | 8 | 0 |
| May 19, 1998 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 3, 1998 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 13, 1995 | F1 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Oct 8, 1992 | F1 | 5.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1992 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1985 | F2 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1984 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1983 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1981 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1979 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1979 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1976 | F0 | 1.3 | 1 | 0 |
| Nov 10, 1975 | F1 | 2.0 | 15 | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | F2 | 11.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | F2 | 19.2 | 12 | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | F1 | 7.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 19, 1971 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 15, 1970 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 16, 1968 | F3 | 50.3 | 15 | 1 |
| Jul 1, 1967 | F2 | 0.5 | 2 | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1965 | F2 | 18.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | F4 | 48.0 | 835 | 25 |
| May 26, 1964 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 29, 1963 | F3 | 23.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1963 | F2 | 11.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1963 | F2 | 13.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1962 | F1 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1962 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1961 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 6, 1961 | F3 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 16, 1960 | F1 | 2.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 26, 1959 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1957 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1957 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1956 | F1 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1956 | F3 | 23.4 | 1 | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | F3 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 6, 1956 | F4 | 1.9 | 31 | 1 |
| Mar 6, 1956 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1955 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 28, 1955 | F2 | 6.8 | 3 | 0 |
| May 31, 1954 | F2 | 0.1 | 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
No tropical storm or hurricane has tracked within 100 miles since records began in 1851.
Wildfire and smoke
No large wildfire has been mapped within 25 miles since satellite mapping began in 1984.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 63 days
Heavy smoke on 15 days in 2023, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
20.6 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
15 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 40 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
46 federal flood insurance claims since 1980, with $473,000 paid.
Flood insurance figures are for Wabash County, the county that contains Wabash.
Most claims in one year
2013: 9 claims
$152,000 paid.
2nd most
2015: 9 claims
$68,000 paid.
3rd most
1998: 7 claims
$38,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 46992 | 33 | $325,000 |
| 46962 | 7 | $8,592 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood10
- Flood10
- Heavy Rain1
1 death 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 Wabash County, the county that contains Wabash.
Most severe crest
March 26, 1913
Wabash River at Wabash, 28.70 ft
14.70 feet above the 14.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
February 21, 2018
Eel River (IN) at North Manchester, 14.47 ft
Moderate flooding.
| Mar 26, 1913 | Wabash River at Wabash | 28.70 | +14.70 |
| Feb 11, 1959 | Wabash River at Wabash | 24.44 | +10.44 |
| May 18, 1943 | Wabash River at Wabash | 24.22 | +10.22 |
| Jan 4, 1950 | Wabash River at Wabash | 23.00 | +9.00 |
| Apr 19, 2013 | Eel River (IN) at North Manchester | 16.46 | +5.46 |
| Jan 15, 1930 | Wabash River at Wabash | 22.80 | +8.80 |
| Jun 13, 1958 | Wabash River at Wabash | 22.46 | +8.46 |
| Feb 27, 1936 | Wabash River at Wabash | 22.40 | +8.40 |
| Mar 14, 1925 | Wabash River at Wabash | 22.00 | +8.00 |
| Apr 28, 1959 | Wabash River at Wabash | 21.92 | +7.92 |
| Feb 15, 1950 | Wabash River at Wabash | 21.40 | +7.40 |
| Apr 6, 1957 | Wabash River at Wabash | 21.38 | +7.38 |
| Jan 16, 1937 | Wabash River at Wabash | 21.30 | +7.30 |
| Mar 29, 1924 | Wabash River at Wabash | 21.20 | +7.20 |
| Mar 13, 1939 | Wabash River at Wabash | 21.10 | +7.10 |
| Apr 9, 1938 | Wabash River at Wabash | 20.80 | +6.80 |
| Apr 19, 2013 | Wabash River at Wabash | 20.68 | +6.68 |
| Dec 19, 1924 | Wabash River at Wabash | 20.60 | +6.60 |
| Apr 8, 1926 | Wabash River at Wabash | 20.60 | +6.60 |
| Apr 12, 1944 | Wabash River at Wabash | 20.54 | +6.54 |
| May 12, 1943 | Wabash River at Wabash | 20.50 | +6.50 |
| Jan 11, 1950 | Wabash River at Wabash | 20.30 | +6.30 |
| Mar 20, 1927 | Wabash River at Wabash | 20.30 | +6.30 |
| Mar 4, 1955 | Wabash River at Wabash | 20.27 | +6.27 |
| Jan 19, 1949 | Wabash River at Wabash | 20.15 | +6.15 |
River gauges
| Eel River (IN) at North Manchester | 11.0 | 16.46 ft | 1 |
| Salamonie River at Dora | 11.0 | 11.74 ft | 0 |
| Wabash River at Wabash | 14.0 | 28.70 ft | 4 |
- 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 130 of 1,581 months since 1895 (8%); the longest spell lasted 15 months.
The drought index is for Wabash County, the county that contains Wabash.
130
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
49
Months in extreme drought
8%
Share of all months, severe or worse
Lowest reading
October 1895
−5.40, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
15 months
February 1934 to April 1935.
Latest month
September 2026
+3.99, very wet
Last severe month: March 2013.
- 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
1 earthquake of magnitude 2.5 or more within 50 miles since 2010; 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
December 30, 2010
Magnitude 3.8
6 km SE of Greentown, Indiana; 26.1 miles away, 3.1 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
December 30, 2010
Magnitude 3.8
6 km SE of Greentown, Indiana; 26.1 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
349 events in the National Weather Service record for Wabash County, 295 of them since 1996.
36
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
0
Hail, 2 inches or larger
76
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
72
Winter weather events since 1996
0
Heat events since 1996
5
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
June 2, 1990
1.75 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
June 12, 2013
96 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 4 | 0 |
| Dense fog and smoke | 1 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Jul 22, 1998Flash Flood$6.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
6 TO 8 INCHES OF RAIN FELL ACROSS THE SOUTHERN HALF OF WABASH COUNTY SENDING THE NORMALLY DOCILE CHARLEY CREEK INTO A RAGING ONE-HALF MILE WIDE TORRENT THROUGH TOWN. MANY PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT STRANDED BY THE FLOOD WATERS WERE EVACUATED TO HIGHER GROUND. TWO BRIDGES AND 15 COUNTY ROADS WERE COMPLETELY WASHED OUT. MANY HOMES ALONG THE EEL AND SALAMONIE RIVERS WERE EVACUATED AS WELL AS THOSE RIVERS APPROACHED RECORD FLOOD LEVELS. DAMAGE ESTIMATES WERE IN THE MILLIONS DUE TO COUNTLESS FLOODED HOMES... BASEMENTS AND VEHICLES.
- Jun 14, 2000Tornado$700,000
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado touched down again, hitting a farm at 1300 N and 100 W. A man suffered a broken leg here. Two hog sheds and a large grain bin were destroyed. A 200-yard swath of trees were uprooted to the northeast along the railroad tracks. Another man suffered back and chest injuries as the tornado continued to the intersection of 1300 N and Meridian Road and demolished the barn in which he stood. A 5th wheel camper was rolled 50 yards from its original position destroying it. The tornado continued to the next farm just south of 1400 N and 100 E. The barn was destroyed and the house suffered moderate damage, primarily from flying tree debris. The tornado snapped a utility pole,…
- Aug 22, 2001Lightning$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
A lightning strike caused a fire at the administration building of North Central Co-op in Wabash. The building is located at the southwest corner of Cass and Fulton Streets. Damage was estimated to be as high as a half million dollars.
- Jul 5, 2003Flash Flood$350,000
National Weather Service narrative
Law enforcement reported roads closed due to flash flooding across the county. 27 residences had some minor damage.
- May 14, 2011Flood$250,000
National Weather Service narrative
Numerous thunderstorms trained over northeastern Wabash county, with radar and eventually spotter confirmation, of three to more than four inches of rain falling. Flooding on roads slowly subsided during the daylight hours of the 15th.
- Mar 10, 2009Flood$150,000
National Weather Service narrative
The Eel River went well out of its banks as a result of heavy rainfall over a several day period. The river crested just above 14 feet in North Manchester, with numerous roads under water in North Manchester and adjacent areas. No reports of injuries or rescues were noted.
- May 7, 2024Thunderstorm Wind$125,000
National Weather Service narrative
Report of 3 damaged residences. Roof off one home. Uprooted trees and power lines down as well.
- Jun 14, 2000Tornado$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
The initial tornado touchdown occurred near the intersection of SR 15 and 114. Two barns were deroofed and a grain silo was partially blown down. Several trees and limbs were taken down. The tornado lifted briefly as it crossed SR 15. It then continued on the ground for one half mile before striking another farm just west of the intersection of SR 114 and 400 W. A barn roof was blown off, and several trees and power lines were taken down. Crop damage was noted in an adjacent field. The tornado then lifted until it touched down about 1 mile to the northeast.
- Jul 21, 1998Thunderstorm Wind$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
TREE FELL ON HOME AND DESTROYED PORCH. COAST TO COAST STORE LOST THEIR GREEN HOUSE AND SECURITY FENCE AS IT BECAME AIRBORNE IN THE HIGH WINDS.
- May 30, 2008Tornado$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
A brief touchdown was confirmed in an open field just west of a residence on South State Road 13 south of West 400 S. Several trees were damaged with a pole barn being partially destroyed. A second barn had the north wall blown towards the north and a partial roof collapse as a result. Approximately 12 power poles were snapped or pushed over along State Route 13. The damage in the area was consistent with a EF1 tornado with maximum winds estimated at around 90 mph. Two minor injuries as two people were in the barn at the time the tornado struck.
- 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 Marion 2 N, 17.8 miles from the city centre, with records from 1893.
- All-time high
- 108°FJul 14, 1936
- All-time low
- −23°F2 times, most recently Jan 21, 1985
- Warmest night
- 80°FJul 30, 1999
- Coldest day
- −13°FJan 19, 1994
- Wettest day
- 7.07 inAug 5, 1998
- Snowiest day
- 13.0 inNov 16, 1932
- Hottest year
- 1921mean 56.3°F
- Coldest year
- 2014mean 46.8°F
- Wettest year
- 199854.68 in
- Driest year
- 193426.25 in
- Snowiest season
- 69.2 in1981-82
Median first snow
November 28
Earliest: October 19, 1972
Median last snow
March 22
Latest: May 9, 1923
0 of 120 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Marion 2 N (USC00125337), 790 ft elevation, 17.8 miles from the city centre. Daily records from 1893 to October 27, 2026; 96.5% 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
14 since 1953. The most recent: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, August 15, 2026.
Declarations for Wabash County.
| Aug 15, 2026 | Flood | EM-3651-IN |
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3641-IN |
| Apr 3, 2020 | Biological | DR-4515-IN |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3456-IN |
| May 4, 2018 | Flood | DR-4363-IN |
| Apr 22, 2014 | Severe Storm | DR-4173-IN |
| Jun 8, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1766-IN |
| Mar 12, 2007 | Snowstorm | EM-3274-IN |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3238-IN |
| Jan 21, 2005 | Severe Storm | DR-1573-IN |
| Jun 3, 2004 | Severe Storm | DR-1520-IN |
| Jul 11, 2003 | Severe Storm | DR-1476-IN |
| Jan 24, 2001 | Snowstorm | EM-3162-IN |
| Jan 15, 1999 | Snowstorm | EM-3135-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 USC00125337.
- 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.