Allen County
Population 100,881 (2025) 403 sq mi
Allen County has recorded 23 tornadoes since 1950, 26th most of 88 counties in Ohio; the most recent was on March 31, 2023.
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 195023
- Major flood years since 19785
At a glance
The record for Allen County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Strongest tornado
F4
April 11, 1965, 32.5 mile path
Snowiest season
51.1in
Winter of 2013-14
Tornadoes
About one every 3.3 years since 1950, 3 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
April 11, 1965
F4, 32.5 mile path
400 yards wide; 13 killed along the whole path.
Most recent
Friday, March 31, 2023
EF0, 0.2 mile path
3 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF0 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF0 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 11, 2021 | EF0 | 4.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2011 | EF1 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2011 | EF1 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 3.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2010 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2006 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2003 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 20, 2002 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1998 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 18, 1992 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1981 | F1 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1980 | F1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1980 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1979 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1973 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1971 | F3 | 31.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1970 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 26, 1965 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | F4 | 32.5 | 104 | 13 |
| Jul 19, 1950 | F3 | 9.7 | 30 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Allen County: 11.
- 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: 58 days
Heavy smoke on 15 days in 2023, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
18.6 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
14 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 36 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
259 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, with $4.1 million paid.
Most claims in one year
2015: 47 claims
$1.2 million paid.
2nd most
2011: 33 claims
$545,000 paid.
3rd most
2019: 27 claims
$523,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 45817 | 71 | $1.3 million |
| 45833 | 41 | $279,000 |
| 45801 | 39 | $335,000 |
| 45805 | 38 | $1.3 million |
| 45807 | 26 | $302,000 |
| 45806 | 21 | $416,000 |
| 45804 | 15 | $105,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood9
- Flood4
- 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 109 of 1,581 months since 1895 (7%); the longest spell lasted 17 months.
109
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
50
Months in extreme drought
7%
Share of all months, severe or worse
Lowest reading
February 1964
−6.44, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
17 months
November 1962 to March 1964.
Latest month
September 2026
+3.53, very wet
Last severe month: March 2026.
- 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
5 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or more within 50 miles since 1900; the largest was magnitude 5.4 in 1937.
2
Magnitude 2.5+ inside the county since 1973
4
Magnitude 3+ within 50 miles since 1973
5
Magnitude 4+ within 50 miles since 1900
2
Magnitude 5+ within 50 miles since 1900
Largest within 50 miles
March 9, 1937
Near Anna, Ohio; 13.3 miles away, 1.9 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
April 17, 1990
Magnitude 3.0
8 km NW of Fort Recovery, Ohio; 28.5 miles away.
Every earthquake of magnitude 4 or more within 50 miles
| Jul 12, 1986 | 4.5 | 10.3 |
| Mar 9, 1937 | 5.4 | 13.3 |
| Mar 2, 1937 | 5.0 | 12.0 |
| Sep 20, 1931 | 4.7 | 15.9 |
| Sep 30, 1930 | 4.2 | 25.0 |
- 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
392 events in the National Weather Service record, 317 of them since 1996.
32
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
1
Hail, 2 inches or larger
120
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
73
Winter weather events since 1996
0
Heat events since 1996
6
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
July 12, 1980
2.75 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
July 9, 1955
86 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 3 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Jun 22, 2006Thunderstorm Wind$1.6 million
National Weather Service narrative
Three aircraft hangars destroyed. About 17 airplanes and the Allen County Sheriff's Office helicopter were significantly damaged or destroyed.
- Aug 22, 2007Flash Flood$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
Numerous roads closed across the county caused by high, flowing water.
- Jun 22, 2006Thunderstorm Wind$200,000
National Weather Service narrative
Widespread tree and power line damage throughout the city of Lima. Along a strech of Shawnee Rd. from Fort Amanda Rd. to Reed Rd., every power pole and traffic signal was blown over, completely blocking the road. The roof of an automotive shop at Jackson St. and Findlay Rd. collapsed. Numerous homes and businesses sustained roof damage. About two thirds of Allen County was without power. One person was injured by a falling tree, and one person was knocked over by the wind and sustained minor injuries. There were also up to 15 indirect injuries from automobile accidents during the storm.
- Apr 20, 2003Thunderstorm Wind$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
Law enforcement reported tress and power lines down across the county with much of the damage in and around Lima. A large tree fell on a home and a car. The Lima High school which was under construction had damage to the roof.
- May 28, 2014Flash Flood$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
Sheriff department officials reported extensive flooding in several areas north of U.S. 30, especially around Cairo and Beaverdam. Water up to 1 foot deep was flowing over several roadways. Flash flooding occurred across Interstate 75, south of Mile Marker 138, resulting in closure of the Interstate in both directions. Pictures were also received of high flowing water near the intersection of Hillville Road and Stewart Road, north of Cairo. While no specific details were available, local media reported eight to 10 households suffered serious flooding problems. In addition, the Cairo Branch of the Lima Public Library suffered water damage as six inches of water entered the…
- Jul 2, 2006Lightning$80,000
National Weather Service narrative
Lightning was believed to the cause of a fire at a 2 story residence in Delphos. The home was a total loss with the value estimated at $80,000.
- Jun 21, 2006Lightning$80,000
National Weather Service narrative
A residence was struck by lightning, cause a fire which spread through much of the house, causing extensive damage to the house and an attached garage. Those in the home were able to escape without injury. Damage is estimated at around $80,000.
- Jun 22, 2006Thunderstorm Wind$60,000
National Weather Service narrative
Barn destroyed on Sugar Creek Road. Thirty seven head of cattle were trapped in the barn, eight of which died.
- Sep 20, 2002Tornado$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
Emergency management reported power lines and large trees were blown down. 6 homes suffered shingle and window damage.
- Jun 22, 2006Thunderstorm Wind$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
Roof collapsed at the Motel 6 on Harding Highway. The south end of the building sustained considerable 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 Lima Wwtp, 2.3 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1901.
- All-time high
- 109°FJul 14, 1936
- All-time low
- −21°F2 times, most recently Jan 19, 1994
- Warmest night
- 83°FJul 10, 1984
- Coldest day
- −6°FJan 18, 1994
- Wettest day
- 5.08 inAug 21, 2007
- Snowiest day
- 18.0 inJan 13, 1964
- Hottest year
- 2024mean 55.0°F
- Coldest year
- 1917mean 47.4°F
- Wettest year
- 201556.86 in
- Driest year
- 196322.44 in
- Snowiest season
- 51.1 in2013-14
Median first snow
November 29
Earliest: October 23, 1917
Median last snow
March 25
Latest: April 22, 1936
5 of 62 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Lima Wwtp (USC00334551), 850 ft elevation, 2.3 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1901 to October 25, 2026; 97.6% 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
10 since 1953. The most recent: Covid-19 Pandemic, March 31, 2020.
| Mar 31, 2020 | Biological | DR-4507-OH |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3457-OH |
| Aug 20, 2012 | Severe Storm | DR-4077-OH |
| Jun 30, 2012 | Severe Storm | EM-3346-OH |
| Aug 27, 2007 | Severe Storm | DR-1720-OH |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3250-OH |
| Feb 15, 2005 | Severe Storm | DR-1580-OH |
| Sep 19, 2004 | Severe Storm | DR-1556-OH |
| Jan 26, 1978 | Snowstorm | EM-3055-OH |
| Apr 14, 1965 | Tornado | DR-191-OH |
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 Allen County stands among 88 counties in Ohio and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 23 | 26 / 88 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 3 | 9 / 88 |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 0 | — |
| Flood insurance claims | 259 | 31 / 88 |
| Flood insurance paid | $4.1 million | 24 / 88 |
| Disaster declarations | 10 | 81 / 88 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 14 | 87 / 88 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 212 | 67 / 88 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 73 | 44 / 88 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $3.5 million | 85 / 88 |
| River crests at major flood stage | 0 | — |
| High tide flooding days a year, last 10 years | 0.0 | — |
| Months in severe drought since 1895 | 109 | 59 / 88 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 18.6 | 14 / 88 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 5 | 2 / 88 |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 2 | 6 / 88 |
Neighbouring counties
| Auglaize County | 23 | 0 |
| Hancock County | 17 | 0 |
| Hardin County | 10 | 0 |
| Putnam County | 28 | 0 |
| Van Wert County | 40 | 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 USC00334551.
- 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.