Huron County
Population 30,530 (2025) 836 sq mi
Huron County has recorded 18 tornadoes since 1950, 31st most of 83 counties in Michigan; the most recent was on July 5, 2024.
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 195018
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger1
At a glance
The record for Huron County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Tropical cyclones within 50 mi
1
Most of any of Michigan’s 83 counties
None at hurricane strength since 1851
DetailsStrongest tornado
F3
June 12, 1984, 48.0 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
TS
Tropical storm Connie, 1955, 0.0 miles away
Tornadoes
About one every 4.2 years since 1950, one of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
June 12, 1984
F3, 48.0 mile path
500 yards wide.
Most recent
Friday, July 5, 2024
EF0, 0.5 mile path
2 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Jul 5, 2024 | EF0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2021 | EF0 | 2.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 26, 2021 | EF2 | 6.8 | 6 | 0 |
| Nov 6, 2015 | EF0 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 2, 2015 | EF1 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2010 | EF0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 19, 2007 | EF1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2004 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 19, 2001 | F0 | 0.1 | 1 | 0 |
| May 12, 2000 | F1 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 17, 1992 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 28, 1991 | F1 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1984 | F3 | 48.0 | 2 | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1975 | F0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1975 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1975 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1974 | F2 | 5.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1953 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Huron County: 0.
- 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 passed within 50 miles since 1851; none at hurricane strength.
Strongest within 50 miles
August 14, 1955
Connie, Tropical storm
0.0 miles at closest approach, winds near 44 mph.
Most recent
September 15, 2008
Ike, Post-tropical
61.7 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
No large wildfire has been mapped here since satellite mapping began in 1984.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 75 days
Heavy smoke on 21 days in 2023, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
24.8 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
30 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 37 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
49 federal flood insurance claims since 1986, with $228,000 paid.
Most claims in one year
1986: 24 claims
$62,000 paid.
2nd most
2020: 8 claims
$104,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 48759 | 15 | $19,000 |
| 48755 | 15 | $50,000 |
| 48725 | 5 | $25,000 |
| 48467 | 5 | $38,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flood7
- Flash Flood5
- Lakeshore Flood4
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.
Drought
In severe drought or worse for 114 of 1,581 months since 1895 (7%); the longest spell lasted 16 months.
114
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
41
Months in extreme drought
7%
Share of all months, severe or worse
2
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
February 1931
−6.94, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
16 months
September 1930 to December 1931.
Latest month
September 2026
−1.34, mild drought
Last severe month: April 2003.
- 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 and tsunamis
No earthquake of magnitude 2.5 or more is recorded within 50 miles of the county in the USGS catalogue, which begins in 1900.
Tsunamis
On record
1 tsunami
Since 1952.
| May 6, 1952 | Lake Huron, MI | — | 0 |
- Places where NOAA's Global Historical Tsunami Database records a tsunami's water arriving, with the greatest height it reached above sea level at the time. Only tsunamis NOAA rates probable or definite are counted. Heights from eyewitness accounts and tide gauges are mixed, and older events are less completely recorded.
NOAA NCEI/WDS Global Historical Tsunami Database, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Severe weather and other events
456 events in the National Weather Service record, 414 of them since 1996.
40
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
5
Hail, 2 inches or larger
164
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
78
Winter weather events since 1996
14
Heat events since 1996
14
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
May 12, 2000
2.75 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
July 17, 2006
98 mph
More event types since 1996
| Rip currents | 2 | 1 |
| Lightning | 5 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Mar 8, 2017High Wind, Huron$7.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
A non thunderstorm event took place over the state on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, as high winds brought wind gusts in excess of 60 mph! The high winds took out power lines and trees, along with numerous reports of structural damage to buildings. There were also reports of brush fires and tractor-trailers flipped over around the area. Due to the extensive damage, many areas were without power for several days. Approximately 800,000 DTE customers and approximately 300,000 Consumers Energy customers were affected. The highest wind gust reported across Southeast Michigan was 68 mph at both Saginaw and Detroit Metro Airport.
- Jun 26, 2021Tornado$1.9 million
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado touched down 4 miles SW of Port Austin just north of the intersection between Port Crescent Rd and Sand Rd. The tornado began as an EF-0, producing several snapped trees and tree limbs, uprooted trees, and damage to barns and outbuildings. The tornado then tracked northeast and crossed M-53 just south of its intersection with M-25. At this point, the tornado produced EF-2 damage to six houses, with three roofs completely detached, one house with major roof damage, two garages and one barn completely destroyed, and substantial tree damage. Estimated peak winds were 120 mph.|The tornado continued to track northeast toward N Hellems Rd and paralleled Pointe Aux Barques Rd,…
- Mar 1, 2007Winter Storm, Huron$1.5 million
National Weather Service narrative
A high impact ice storm resulted in ice accumulations up to 3 inches thick on trees and power lines.
- Jan 19, 2013High Wind, Huron$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
An intense Arctic Front swept through southeast Michigan around Midnight of January 19th, with westerly winds gusting around 60 mph across much of the area during the early morning hours of January 20th. Dozens of trees and power lines were downed across individual counties, leading to power outages in excess of 120,000 DTE customers during the peak of the winds.||Here are some of the higher wind gusts and times reported:||Caro...61 MPH...1214 AM. |Pontiac...60 MPH...301 AM. |Ypsilanti...60 MPH...140 AM. |Flint...59 MPH...247 AM. |Adrian ...55 MPH...128 AM. |Detroit Metro Airport...55 MPH...158 AM. |White Lake...54 MPH...150 AM. |Owosso...53 MPH...1255 AM. |Downtown Detroit…
- Apr 14, 2018Winter Storm, Huron$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
A large and complex low pressure system impacted the Great Lakes region. Southeast Michigan saw heavy rain, snow, sleet and freezing rain that began on Friday (April 13) and lasted through Sunday (April 15). This system brought 2 main periods of precipitation, with a short break in between on Saturday. Total rainfall of 1 to 2 inches was common in many locations in Southeast Michigan, with 2-3 of snow and sleet north of I-69, and about 1/4 to 1/2 of ice from freezing rain between the I-94 and I-96 corridors. Widespread tree damage and power outages from an combination of the snow, sleet, and freezing rain occurred. In total, DTE and Consumers Energy reported power outages for…
- Nov 17, 2013High Wind, Huron$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
A powerful low pressure system strengthened and tracked northeast from the western Great Lakes towards James Bay during the afternoon of November 17th through the overnight hours. Southerly winds out ahead of the cold front allowed temperatures to soar into the lower to middle 60s during the afternoon hours across southeast Michigan. A line of thunderstorms developed with the cold front that swept through the area during the evening hours. Several of these storms produced severe wind gusts and wind damage as they moved through the area. Behind the cold front, gradient winds gusted to 55 to 65 mph during the evening and overnight hours, producing additional damage across southeast…
- May 4, 2018High Wind, Huron$850,000
National Weather Service narrative
A strong low pressure system tracked through northern Lower Michigan, swinging a strong cold front through southeast Michigan early in the afternoon. Sustained winds ranging between 30 - 40 mph, with frequent gusts in the 45 to 60 mph range, with scattered thunderstorms that developed leading to enhanced winds near 70 MPH. Downed large trees, branches, telephone and power lines were reported across all counties in Southeast Michigan, with around 230,000 customers without power during the peak. In Independence Township, a large tree fell onto a car, killing the 36 year old man inside. Additionally, a postal employee in South Lyon was also seriously hurt when a tree fell on him as…
- Nov 12, 2003High Wind, Huron$700,000
National Weather Service narrative
A strong low pressure system moved across the straits on the evening of the 12th, moving into Ontario overnight as it deepened to 974 mb. Strong cold advection and a tight pressure gradient over Lower Michigan produced wind gusts between 50 and 60 MPH across all of Southeast Michigan. In addition, there were even a few wind gusts reported between 60 and 88 mph. The highest wind gust was reported by a spotter in Dexter who recorded an 88 mph gust. An estimated 250,000 customers lost power in southeast Michigan, as widespread trees and power lines were blown down.
- Jun 8, 2008Thunderstorm Wind$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
Large trees uprooted and flagpoles snapped in half in downtown Bad Axe. Local media also reported some building damage in Bad Axe. A truck and garage were damaged.
- Jul 28, 2002Lightning$300,000
National Weather Service narrative
A newspaper reported that lightning struck a meat packing plant and started a fire, causing serious damage.
- 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 Bad Axe, 3.8 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1925.
- All-time high
- 103°F2 times, most recently Jul 13, 1936
- All-time low
- −23°FJan 30, 1951
- Warmest night
- 84°FJun 18, 1929
- Coldest day
- −4°F2 times, most recently Jan 20, 1994
- Wettest day
- 6.46 inSep 11, 1986
- Snowiest day
- 16.5 inJan 27, 1967
- Hottest year
- 1931mean 49.8°F
- Coldest year
- 1960mean 42.9°F
- Wettest year
- 201342.23 in
- Driest year
- 193617.83 in
- Snowiest season
- 96.9 in1984-85
Median first snow
November 13
Earliest: October 2, 1974
Median last snow
April 10
Latest: May 14, 1984
0 of 70 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Bad Axe (USC00200417), 715 ft elevation, 3.8 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1925 to October 27, 2026; 94.5% 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
8 since 1953. The most recent: Covid-19 Pandemic, March 27, 2020.
| Mar 27, 2020 | Biological | DR-4494-MI |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3455-MI |
| Sep 7, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3225-MI |
| Jan 10, 2001 | Snowstorm | EM-3160-MI |
| Sep 18, 1986 | Flood | DR-774-MI |
| Sep 18, 1985 | Flood | DR-744-MI |
| Jan 27, 1978 | Snowstorm | EM-3057-MI |
| Apr 12, 1973 | Flood | DR-371-MI |
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 Huron County stands among 83 counties in Michigan and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 18 | 31 / 83 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 1 | 28 / 83 |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 1 | 1 / 83 |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 0 | — |
| Flood insurance claims | 49 | 32 / 83 |
| Flood insurance paid | $228,000 | 43 / 83 |
| Disaster declarations | 8 | 50 / 83 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 16 | 30 / 83 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 275 | 17 / 83 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 78 | 50 / 83 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $18.4 million | 45 / 83 |
| River crests at major flood stage | 0 | — |
| High tide flooding days a year, last 10 years | 0.0 | — |
| Months in severe drought since 1895 | 114 | 48 / 83 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 24.8 | 57 / 83 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 0 | — |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 0 | — |
Neighbouring counties
| Sanilac County | 21 | 1 |
| Tuscola County | 23 | 1 |
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 USC00200417.
- 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.
- Tsunamis NOAA NCEI/WDS Global Historical Tsunami Database.
- 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.