Champaign County
Population 38,820 (2025) 429 sq mi
Property owners in Champaign County have filed 38 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, 75th most of 88 counties in Ohio.
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 19509
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger1
At a glance
The record for Champaign County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Tornadoes since 1950
9
70th of 88 in Ohio
Fewer than the typical Ohio county, which has had 17
DetailsStrongest tornado
F3
May 10, 1973, 89.6 mile path
Tornadoes
About one every 8.4 years since 1950, one of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
May 10, 1973
F3, 89.6 mile path
300 yards wide.
Most recent
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
EF0, 3.0 mile path
2 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Apr 17, 2024 | EF0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2023 | EF0 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2022 | EF0 | 5.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1999 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1993 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 10, 1973 | F3 | 89.6 | 8 | 0 |
| Nov 16, 1965 | F2 | 0.2 | 4 | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1958 | F2 | 5.1 | 0 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Champaign 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 tropical cyclone passed within 100 miles since 1851, none within 50.
Most recent
September 14, 2008
Ike, Post-tropical
97.7 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: 56 days
Heavy smoke on 15 days in 2023, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
17.1 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
12 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
38 federal flood insurance claims since 1979, with $252,000 paid.
Most claims in one year
1999: 5 claims
$34,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 43078 | 27 | $184,000 |
| 43072 | 6 | $46,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flood35
- Flash Flood12
- Heavy Rain5
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.
Drought
In severe drought or worse for 111 of 1,581 months since 1895 (7%); the longest spell lasted 18 months.
111
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
50
Months in extreme drought
7%
Share of all months, severe or worse
2
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
March 1935
−6.37, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
18 months
December 1900 to May 1902.
Latest month
September 2026
+3.28, very wet
Last severe month: December 1999.
- 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.
0
Magnitude 2.5+ inside the county since 1973
3
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; 19.5 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; 45.9 miles away.
Every earthquake of magnitude 4 or more within 50 miles
| Jul 12, 1986 | 4.5 | 26.1 |
| Mar 9, 1937 | 5.4 | 19.5 |
| Mar 2, 1937 | 5.0 | 20.1 |
| Sep 20, 1931 | 4.7 | 17.2 |
| Sep 30, 1930 | 4.2 | 15.1 |
- 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
445 events in the National Weather Service record, 387 of them since 1996.
33
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
7
Hail, 2 inches or larger
130
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
124
Winter weather events since 1996
5
Heat events since 1996
4
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
August 25, 1998
2.50 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
August 7, 2011
90 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 1 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Sep 14, 2008High Wind, Champaign$4.7 million
National Weather Service narrative
Strong winds of 40 to 50 miles per hour were sustained for several hours. Wind gusts to 60 mph were common. Widespread damage occurred across the region, from trees being blown down on powerlines, to significant crop losses and structural damage.
- Jan 6, 1996Winter Storm, Champaign$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
The Blizzard of '96 developed near the Gulf Coast and moved up the East Coast. This massive system produced the greatest total and 24 hour snowfall at Greater Cincinnati\Northern Kentucky airport. This one storm brought 14.3 inches of snowfall to the airport which normally receives 23 inches for an entire season. The heaviest snow fell near the Ohio river in the extreme south. The worst blizzard conditions occurred over West Central areas as dry and powdery snow was blown around by high winds causing whiteouts. Some areas had more than 30 continuous hours of snowfall, and many people in Southern Ohio felt this was the worst winter storm since the Blizzard of '78. In Fayette…
- Apr 9, 1999Tornado$300,000
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado caused structural damage to houses and mobile homes, as well as downing several trees.
- Jun 8, 2022Tornado$150,000
National Weather Service narrative
Initial EF-0 damage began on West Herr Road near North US Highway 68. Several large tree branches measuring between 3-8 inches were snapped. The adjacent home toward the east had four large hardwood trees downed, several of which were snapped at the trunk. Additionally, this home and unattached garage had siding ripped off. Continuing 1.7 miles northeast, the property at the intersection of Kennard-Kingscreek Road and Game Farm Road received EF-0 damage. At this location, numerous hardwood trees were snapped at the trunk, a metal garage door was bent, a barn door track was ripped from the barn, and a shed was rolled onto its side.||The tornado continued eastward and broke…
- Jun 29, 2012Thunderstorm Wind$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
Roof damage was reported throughout the town due to thunderstorm winds.
- Jun 13, 2022Thunderstorm Wind$100,000
National Weather Service narrative
Numerous trees and power lines were downed across mainly the northern half of Champaign County.
- Apr 20, 2000Thunderstorm Wind$75,000
National Weather Service narrative
Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down countywide, but mainly in the western half of the county. Also, a roof was blown off a Dairy Queen restaurant.
- Jun 1, 1997Flash Flood$75,000
National Weather Service narrative
Thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall fell on already saturated ground causing water to overflow from ditches, sewers, and creeks. Roads were flooded across the county, but the hardest hit area was in the eastern part of the county. In North Lewisburg, 40 people were evacuated from an apartment complex and some roads were washed out. Overall, in less than 24 hours, nearly 5 inches of rain fell on parts of the county.
- Aug 7, 2011Thunderstorm Wind$70,000
National Weather Service narrative
A mobile home was destroyed and debris was blown into the side of a nearby house. This debris damaged the house, including the roof and garage. Widespread tree and power line damage was also reported in the area. A horse trailer was destroyed with debris blown into a farm house. The storm survey concluded that this damage was due to thunderstorm winds.
- May 12, 2002Thunderstorm Wind$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
Trees and powerlines were downed in town. Two barns sustained extensive roof 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 Urbana Wrf, 2 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1895.
- All-time high
- 110°FJul 14, 1936
- All-time low
- −26°FJan 20, 1985
- Warmest night
- 83°FJul 25, 1934
- Coldest day
- −11°FDec 25, 1983
- Wettest day
- 4.37 inJul 20, 1946
- Snowiest day
- 14.5 inFeb 17, 1910
- Hottest year
- 1931mean 54.5°F
- Coldest year
- 1904mean 47.8°F
- Wettest year
- 201157.69 in
- Driest year
- 193424.87 in
- Snowiest season
- 55.4 in1925-26
Median first snow
November 30
Earliest: October 21, 1925
Median last snow
March 23
Latest: May 17, 1916
9 of 35 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Urbana Wrf (USC00338552), 1,019 ft elevation, 2.0 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1895 to October 26, 2026; 92.9% 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
11 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 |
| Oct 24, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1805-OH |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3250-OH |
| Feb 15, 2005 | Severe Storm | DR-1580-OH |
| Jan 11, 2005 | Snowstorm | EM-3198-OH |
| Sep 19, 2004 | Severe Storm | DR-1556-OH |
| Aug 25, 1995 | Severe Storm | DR-1065-OH |
| Jan 26, 1978 | Snowstorm | EM-3055-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 Champaign County stands among 88 counties in Ohio and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 9 | 70 / 88 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 1 | 37 / 88 |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 0 | — |
| Flood insurance claims | 38 | 75 / 88 |
| Flood insurance paid | $252,000 | 77 / 88 |
| Disaster declarations | 11 | 76 / 88 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 52 | 62 / 88 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 194 | 73 / 88 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 124 | 18 / 88 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $7.1 million | 76 / 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 | 111 | 54 / 88 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 17.1 | 36 / 88 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 5 | 2 / 88 |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 0 | — |
Neighbouring counties
| Clark County | 34 | 0 |
| Logan County | 8 | 0 |
| Madison County | 16 | 0 |
| Miami County | 36 | 0 |
| Shelby County | 8 | 0 |
| Union County | 12 | 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 USC00338552.
- 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.