Marshall County
Population 46,599 (2025) 444 sq mi
Marshall County has recorded 33 tornadoes since 1950, 10th most of 92 counties in Indiana; the most recent was on April 2, 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 since 195033
- Major flood years since 19782
At a glance
The record for Marshall County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Strongest tornado
F4
April 3, 1974, 108.7 mile path
Federal disaster declarations
17
Most recent: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, 2026
DetailsSnowiest season
113.1in
Winter of 2013-14
Tornadoes
About one every 2.3 years since 1950, 4 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
April 3, 1974
F4, 108.7 mile path
1,760 yards wide; 18 killed along the whole path.
Most recent
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
EF1, 17.8 mile path
Within the past year.
Every recorded tornado
| Apr 2, 2025 | EF1 | 17.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 30, 2025 | EF1 | 3.2 | 1 | 0 |
| Jul 15, 2024 | EF0 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2018 | EF0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2014 | EF1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2014 | EF1 | 6.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2014 | EF1 | 4.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF3 | 20.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2007 | EF1 | 2.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2001 | F1 | 39.0 | 14 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1996 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1996 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1995 | F1 | 4.0 | 3 | 0 |
| Aug 13, 1994 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1994 | F2 | 20.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1993 | F1 | 19.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1981 | F0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | F2 | 11.6 | 10 | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | F1 | 4.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | F4 | 108.7 | 285 | 18 |
| Dec 4, 1973 | F1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1969 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 24, 1967 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1966 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | F3 | 35.6 | 82 | 10 |
| Jun 13, 1961 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1960 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1959 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1959 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 30, 1959 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1956 | F3 | 23.4 | 1 | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1954 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Marshall County: 3.
- 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 here since satellite mapping began in 1984.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 67 days
Heavy smoke on 15 days in 2023, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
22.8 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
17 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 41 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
190 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, with $1.6 million paid.
Most claims in one year
1985: 40 claims
$95,000 paid.
2nd most
1982: 37 claims
$181,000 paid.
3rd most
2008: 20 claims
$231,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 46563 | 172 | $1.4 million |
| 46511 | 6 | $33,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flood8
- Flash Flood5
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
Most severe crest
February 22, 2018
Yellow River at Plymouth, 17.73 ft
4.73 feet above the 13.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
February 22, 2018
Yellow River at Plymouth, 17.73 ft
Major flooding.
| Feb 22, 2018 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 17.73 | +4.73 |
| Oct 12, 1954 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 17.13 | +4.13 |
| Mar 16, 1982 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 16.37 | +3.37 |
| Feb 26, 1985 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 15.68 | +2.68 |
| Jan 1, 1991 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 15.30 | +2.30 |
| Jan 10, 2008 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 15.12 | +2.12 |
| Mar 24, 1978 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 15.01 | +2.01 |
| Mar 12, 2009 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 14.72 | +1.72 |
| Jan 15, 2005 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 14.67 | +1.67 |
| Feb 12, 2001 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 14.37 | +1.37 |
| Jan 6, 1993 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 14.25 | +1.25 |
| Mar 6, 1979 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 14.23 | +1.23 |
| Jul 21, 1996 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.96 | +0.96 |
| May 14, 2002 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.76 | +0.76 |
| Feb 23, 1997 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.70 | +0.70 |
| Apr 20, 2013 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.68 | +0.68 |
| May 2, 2019 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.53 | +0.53 |
| Feb 4, 1968 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.48 | +0.48 |
| Dec 27, 1965 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.44 | +0.44 |
| Jul 12, 1951 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.39 | +0.39 |
| Oct 13, 1990 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.38 | +0.38 |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.38 | +0.38 |
| Apr 25, 1999 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.33 | +0.33 |
| Jan 10, 1998 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.24 | +0.24 |
| Dec 11, 1966 | Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.22 | +0.22 |
River gauges
| Yellow River at Plymouth | 13.0 | 17.73 ft | 7 |
- 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.
130
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
48
Months in extreme drought
8%
Share of all months, severe or worse
Lowest reading
February 1945
−5.83, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
15 months
October 1963 to December 1964.
Latest month
September 2026
+3.00, very wet
Last severe month: December 2022.
- 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 2012; none reached magnitude 4.
0
Magnitude 2.5+ inside the county since 1973
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
January 26, 2012
Magnitude 3.0
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana; 30.2 miles away, 2.9 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
January 26, 2012
Magnitude 3.0
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana; 30.2 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 county boundary (or inside the county).
- 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
444 events in the National Weather Service record, 384 of them since 1996.
30
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
3
Hail, 2 inches or larger
162
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
100
Winter weather events since 1996
0
Heat events since 1996
6
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
June 25, 2023
2.75 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
June 21, 2021
75 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 6 | 1 |
| Dense fog and smoke | 1 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Feb 20, 2018Flood$1.2 million
National Weather Service narrative
Damage occurred to several roads as a result of the record flooding from the Yellow River and associated drainage basin. Many county roads were closed for a period of time with even State Routes 30, 331 and 6 being impacted by flood waters. Nearly every town in the county suffered damage from the flood waters with Plymouth, Argos and Bremen suffering the most damage. Evacuations were necessary in some areas with water rescues due to rapid rise in the rivers. Preliminary damage estimates exceed 1.2 million dollars.
- Oct 18, 2007Tornado$600,000
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado touched down near the intersection of 12B and Gumwood Roads, just west of Bourbon. Initial damage comprised of damage to shingles on a few roofs as well as some tree damage. As the tornado moved northeast and intensified it blew down a 3/8 mile long stretch of power poles. A total of 16 homes suffered damage from the tornado, 3 were destroyed, 1 suffered major damage and 12 suffered minor damage. Some barns, storage sheds, silos and garages suffered damage of varying degrees as well. The tornado reached the higher end of EF2 as it entered into Kosciusko County. A Bourbon Fire Department grass truck crashed into a ditch during the storm, with the driver being taken to…
- Apr 2, 2025Tornado$600,000
National Weather Service narrative
A survey of damage revealed a tornado touched down southeast of Rutland on SR-10 and tracked quickly northeast. The tornado moved over numerous empty fields but also impacted several wooded areas as well as snapped or uprooted trees on private property. The tornado entered Bourbon and reached peak intensity on the northeast side of town in the area of Crocus Ct and Rose Lane where several homes suffered extensive roof damage. Debris was thrown into the field. Many homes showed garage doors being compromised, lowering potentially higher wind speeds. The tornado continued out of town, producing sporadic tree and power pole damage until reaching north of Etna Green in Kosciusko…
- Aug 15, 2007Tornado$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
The initial touchdown of the tornado was located a large grove of trees along Maple Rd. west of Argos and proceeded rapidly southeast to the southeast side of Argos. The tornado skipped along its track, snapping and uprooting numerous trees, downing power poles and lines and damaging some structures. Two businesses on the south side of Argos, near the intersection of US 31 and State Rd 10 suffered moderate damage. The roof of the Topp Industries plant suffered damage. A McDonalds/BP Station suffered metal siding and roofing damage along with the removal of a few gas pumps. A stationary police cruiser was spun by a combination of the strong winds and a sign post striking the car.…
- Mar 10, 2009Flood$300,000
National Weather Service narrative
The Yellow River came out of its banks, cresting around 14.2 feet. This resulted in streets and some properties in the flood plains of the river to become inundated with water. Some evacuations were necessary as water levels rose quickly. Water entered the Boys and Girls Club in Plymouth, resulting in shutting off both electricity and gas to the building and forcing its closure for a few days.
- Aug 15, 2007Thunderstorm Wind$250,000
National Weather Service narrative
Numerous trees, tree limbs and power lines were blown down in and around Culver. Several of the trees and limbs fell onto houses or a few businesses. Damage in the area is estimated at $250,000.
- Sep 11, 2000Thunderstorm Wind$150,000
- Jan 8, 2008Flood$150,000
National Weather Service narrative
Several county and some city roads experienced high water on them for a few days as low areas, ditches and creeks exceeded capacity from one to three inches of rain. Some residences were affected in and around Plymouth as a result of flood waters from the rising Yellow River. The town of Tippecanoe also had some flooding issues with the Tippecanoe River going over its banks. Schools were closed on parts of the area during the even. No exact damage were available, but is estimated at $150,000 for road repairs and structure damage.
- Mar 30, 2025Tornado$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
Tornado developed 2 miles southwest of Ancilla College and quickly intensified to EF1 intensity as it raced northeastward. The tornado caused extensive tree and generally minor structural damage across the Ancilla College campus and Gilbert lake. Here the tornado widened to 750 yards before contracting down as it continued northeast. A mobile home was torn from its anchored undercarriage and overturned, injuring one inside. Several homes sustained generally minor siding and roof damage. Two barns just northeast of Ancilla college were flattened. Strong inflow winds were noted at many locations just east/southeast of the tornado track.
- May 25, 2006Thunderstorm Wind$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
Numerous trees, tree limbs, power lines and poles were blown down in Plymouth. Several pine trees fell onto a residence. A few fires resulted form trees falling onto power lines as well.
- 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 Plymouth, 3.3 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1989.
- All-time high
- 105°FJul 7, 2012
- All-time low
- −22°F2 times, most recently Jan 20, 1994
- Warmest night
- 79°FJul 31, 1999
- Coldest day
- −13°FJan 19, 1994
- Wettest day
- 5.30 inAug 18, 1990
- Snowiest day
- 19.0 inJan 3, 1999
- Hottest year
- 1998mean 53.4°F
- Coldest year
- 2014mean 44.9°F
- Wettest year
- 199056.55 in
- Driest year
- 201227.37 in
- Snowiest season
- 113.1 in2013-14
Median first snow
November 19
Earliest: October 22, 1997
Median last snow
April 2
Latest: April 24, 2005
0 of 36 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Plymouth (USC00126989), 815 ft elevation, 3.3 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1989 to October 27, 2026; 99.2% 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 Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, August 15, 2026.
| Aug 15, 2026 | Flood | EM-3651-IN |
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3641-IN |
| Jul 22, 2025 | Flood | DR-4882-IN |
| Apr 3, 2020 | Biological | DR-4515-IN |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3456-IN |
| May 4, 2018 | Flood | DR-4363-IN |
| Apr 22, 2009 | Severe Storm | DR-1832-IN |
| Jan 30, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1740-IN |
| Mar 12, 2007 | Snowstorm | EM-3274-IN |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3238-IN |
| Jan 21, 2005 | Severe Storm | DR-1573-IN |
| Jan 24, 2001 | Snowstorm | EM-3162-IN |
| Jan 15, 1999 | Snowstorm | EM-3135-IN |
| Jan 5, 1991 | Flood | DR-891-IN |
| Mar 20, 1982 | Flood | DR-652-IN |
| Apr 4, 1974 | Tornado | DR-423-IN |
| Apr 14, 1965 | Tornado | DR-189-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.
How this compares
Where Marshall County stands among 92 counties in Indiana and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 33 | 10 / 92 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 4 | 19 / 92 |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 0 | — |
| Flood insurance claims | 190 | 24 / 92 |
| Flood insurance paid | $1.6 million | 38 / 92 |
| Disaster declarations | 17 | 51 / 92 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 13 | 82 / 92 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 249 | 37 / 92 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 100 | 16 / 92 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $5.0 million | 68 / 92 |
| River crests at major flood stage | 7 | 25 / 92 |
| High tide flooding days a year, last 10 years | 0.0 | — |
| Months in severe drought since 1895 | 130 | 43 / 92 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 22.8 | 3 / 92 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 0 | — |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 0 | — |
Neighbouring counties
| Elkhart County | 36 | 0 |
| Fulton County | 15 | 0 |
| Kosciusko County | 37 | 0 |
| Pulaski County | 17 | 0 |
| St. Joseph County | 33 | 0 |
| Starke County | 16 | 0 |
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 USC00126989.
- 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.