Audrain County
Population 24,528 (2025) 692 sq mi
Audrain County has recorded 27 tornadoes since 1950, 44th most of 115 counties in Missouri; the most recent was on April 20, 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 195027
At a glance
The record for Audrain County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Tornadoes since 1950
27
44th of 115 in Missouri
About as many as the typical Missouri county
DetailsStrongest tornado
F3
June 12, 1970, 16.0 mile path
Federal disaster declarations
19
Most recent: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, 2021
DetailsSnowiest season
60.5in
Winter of 1977-78
Tornadoes
About one every 2.8 years since 1950, one of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
June 12, 1970
F3, 16.0 mile path
100 yards wide.
Most recent
Sunday, April 20, 2025
EF1, 0.3 mile path
Within the past year.
Every recorded tornado
| Apr 20, 2025 | EF1 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 14, 2025 | EF1 | 6.8 | 0 | 0 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF0 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2016 | EF0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2010 | EF0 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 27, 2008 | EF1 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 7, 2008 | EF0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2006 | F0 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2006 | F0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2006 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2006 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | F0 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | F1 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1998 | F0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 22, 1993 | F2 | 12.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1991 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1984 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1984 | F0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1971 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1970 | F3 | 16.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 8, 1966 | F2 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1965 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1961 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1960 | F1 | 4.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 4, 1956 | F2 | 11.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1954 | F1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1954 | F1 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Audrain 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
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: 64 days
Heavy smoke on 14 days in 2021, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
22.2 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
18 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 35 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
60 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, with $656,000 paid.
Most claims in one year
1981: 14 claims
$49,000 paid.
2nd most
1978: 10 claims
$15,000 paid.
3rd most
1982: 5 claims
$20,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 65265 | 45 | $104,000 |
| 63382 | 10 | $549,000 |
| 5 | $2,476 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood34
- Flood5
- Heavy Rain1
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 153 of 1,581 months since 1895 (10%); the longest spell lasted 24 months.
153
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
71
Months in extreme drought
10%
Share of all months, severe or worse
9
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
July 1954
−6.77, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
24 months
January 1963 to December 1964.
Latest month
September 2026
−0.99, incipient dry spell
Last severe month: June 2024.
- 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 landslides
8 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more within 50 miles since 1974; none reached magnitude 4.
0
Magnitude 2.5+ inside the county since 1973
3
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
July 31, 2005
Magnitude 3.3
Missouri; 40.8 miles away, 3.1 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
July 31, 2005
Magnitude 3.3
Missouri; 40.8 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.
Mapped landslides
4
Landslides mapped, probable or better
0
With a recorded date
1
Source inventory
Mapped by MO DNR (4).
- Landslides mapped in the USGS compilation of landslide inventories across the United States (version 3.0, 2025), rated probable or better. The compilation joins inventories made by federal and state agencies for different purposes and areas, so the number mapped in a county reflects how closely it has been surveyed as much as how often its slopes fail. An area with few records may simply not have been mapped. Deaths are as recorded in the inventories; a slide listed in two inventories is counted once.
USGS Landslide Inventories across the United States, version 3.0, retrieved October 27, 2026.
Severe weather and other events
468 events in the National Weather Service record, 369 of them since 1996.
70
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
7
Hail, 2 inches or larger
112
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
53
Winter weather events since 1996
49
Heat events since 1996
5
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
July 19, 1956
3.00 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
July 2, 1992
97 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 3 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Jul 21, 2025Flash Flood$60,000
National Weather Service narrative
Heavy rain caused numerous roads to become impassable in Audrain County. These include Highway 54 in Farber, two unnamed roads north of Laddonia, many roads in Laddonia proper, Highway BB just west of Highway W near Middletown, and Highway J at Highway B north of Rush Hill. A water rescue was completed on Highway 54 between Farber and Bassinger Corner. Another vehicle was stuck in water in front of the POET Biorefinery. A third vehicle was stuck in water on Highway 19 in Martinsburg.
- Apr 20, 2025Tornado$60,000
National Weather Service narrative
A brief tornado tracked south to north just west of Highway MM in north-central Audrain County, destroying a couple of outbuildings and rolling two smaller grain bins. Debris was generally thrown northward and strewn widely, likely due to a downburst immediately following the tornado. The tornado was rated EF-1 with a path length of 0.32 miles and a maximum path width of 50 yards.
- Jun 25, 2024Thunderstorm Wind$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
One direct fatality occurred 5 miles north of Martinsburg when an old, dilapidated barn on Highway 54 collapsed on an individual seeking shelter from the thunderstorm. Large trees and tree limbs were blown down in Vandalia, Laddonia, and Mexico. Siding was also blown off a church south of Mexico Airport (MYJ), power poles were knocked down by tree limbs in Vandalia, and a roof was blown off a trailer in Laddonia. Other communities in the storm's path are Scott's Corner, Rush Hill, and Martinsburg.
- Jun 17, 2022Thunderstorm Wind$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
Widespread wind damage between Mexico and Laddonia with numerous trees, tree limbs, as well as power lines blown down. In Mexico, a house sustained moderate roof damage from a fallen tree. Just southwest of Laddonia, a large tree was blown down onto Highway KK, blocking both lanes. Also, several signs were blown down in Mexico.
- Mar 14, 2025Tornado$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
In Madison County, the tornado mostly caused tree damage. The only structural damage was to a residence and an outbuilding on Highway C. From there, the tornado continued northeast before dissipating between the St. Francois River and Madison 418 at approximately 10:57 PM. In Madison County the tornado was rated EF-1 with a path length of 6.75 miles and a maximum path width of 770 yards.
- Jul 25, 2008Flash Flood$31,000
National Weather Service narrative
Between 4 and 5 inches of rain fell in a short amount of time on already saturated soils causing flash flooding. Numerous roads were flooded including Highway 54 in various places between Vandalia and Mexico.
- Jul 9, 2021Thunderstorm Wind$12,000
National Weather Service narrative
Widespread wind damage between Laddonia, Rush Hill and Mexico. One tree was blown down onto Route KK just west of Highway 19. Another tree was blown down onto Route B at 6th Street in Rush Hill. A two foot diameter tree was blown over onto Central Street in Mexico. Also, numerous tree limbs, power lines and power poles were blown over.
- Aug 12, 2021Thunderstorm Wind$10,000
National Weather Service narrative
Thunderstorm winds blew down numerous tree limbs around Mexico and areas to the south and southeast of town.
- May 25, 1996Thunderstorm Wind$5,000
National Weather Service narrative
Skywarn spotters reported trees and power lines down near the Pike County line.
- Feb 29, 2000Thunderstorm Wind$5,000
National Weather Service narrative
Thunderstorm wind gusts destroyed a couple of outbuildings and downed trees.
- 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 Vandalia, 19.3 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1911.
- All-time high
- 108°F2 times, most recently Jul 30, 1980
- All-time low
- −24°F3 times, most recently Dec 23, 1989
- Warmest night
- 88°FJun 27, 1914
- Coldest day
- −8°FDec 22, 1989
- Wettest day
- 5.58 inJul 10, 1991
- Snowiest day
- 17.0 inFeb 2, 2011
- Hottest year
- 2012mean 57.1°F
- Coldest year
- 2014mean 50.2°F
- Wettest year
- 200859.11 in
- Driest year
- 201221.89 in
- Snowiest season
- 60.5 in1977-78
Median first snow
December 8
Earliest: October 31, 2019
Median last snow
March 11
Latest: April 14, 1980
0 of 62 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Vandalia (USC00238577), 764 ft elevation, 19.3 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1911 to October 27, 2026; 93.4% 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
19 since 1953. The most recent: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, September 1, 2021.
| Sep 1, 2021 | Severe Storm | DR-4612-MO |
| Mar 26, 2020 | Biological | DR-4490-MO |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3482-MO |
| Jan 2, 2016 | Flood | EM-3374-MO |
| Aug 7, 2015 | Severe Storm | DR-4238-MO |
| Mar 23, 2011 | Severe Storm | DR-1961-MO |
| Feb 3, 2011 | Severe Storm | EM-3317-MO |
| Jan 30, 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | EM-3303-MO |
| Nov 13, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1809-MO |
| Jun 25, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1773-MO |
| Mar 19, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1749-MO |
| Dec 27, 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | DR-1736-MO |
| Dec 12, 2007 | Severe Ice Storm | EM-3281-MO |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3232-MO |
| May 6, 2003 | Severe Storm | DR-1463-MO |
| Feb 6, 2002 | Severe Ice Storm | DR-1403-MO |
| Jul 9, 1993 | Flood | DR-995-MO |
| Sep 24, 1976 | Drought | EM-3017-MO |
| Jun 10, 1974 | Flood | DR-439-MO |
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 Audrain County stands among 115 counties in Missouri and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 27 | 44 / 115 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 1 | 68 / 115 |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 0 | — |
| Flood insurance claims | 60 | 58 / 115 |
| Flood insurance paid | $656,000 | 63 / 115 |
| Disaster declarations | 19 | 108 / 115 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 40 | 81 / 115 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 199 | 77 / 115 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 53 | 44 / 115 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $338,000 | 113 / 115 |
| River crests at major flood stage | 0 | — |
| High tide flooding days a year, last 10 years | 0.0 | — |
| Months in severe drought since 1895 | 153 | 13 / 115 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 22.2 | 49 / 115 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 0 | — |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 0 | — |
Neighbouring counties
| Boone County | 34 | 0 |
| Callaway County | 40 | 0 |
| Monroe County | 26 | 0 |
| Montgomery County | 25 | 0 |
| Pike County | 24 | 0 |
| Ralls County | 13 | 0 |
| Randolph County | 11 | 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 USC00238577.
- 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.
- Landslides USGS Landslide Inventories across the United States, version 3.0 (2025).
- 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.