Columbus Micro Area Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
The chance of earthquake damage in Columbus Area is about the same as Nebraska average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Columbus Area is higher than Nebraska average and is much higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #659
| Columbus Area | 0.01 |
| Nebraska | 0.04 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #129
| Columbus Area | 0.0000 |
| Nebraska | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #234
| Columbus Area | 216.89 |
| Nebraska | 205.07 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 14,054 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Columbus Area were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 65 | Cold: | 91 | Dense Fog: | 1 | Drought: | 17 |
| Dust Storm: | 2 | Flood: | 805 | Hail: | 7,462 | Heat: | 16 | Heavy Snow: | 61 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 26 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 114 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 4,732 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 187 | Winter Weather: | 78 |
| Other: | 396 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Columbus Area.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Columbus Area.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Columbus Area.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 61 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Columbus Area.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 9.8 | 1967-06-13 | 2 | 41°59'N / 97°23'W | 41°05'N / 97°17'W | 62.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Stanton |
| 13.6 | 1965-05-08 | 2 | 41°25'N / 97°21'W | 41°44'N / 97°09'W | 24.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Platte |
| 13.8 | 1998-06-23 | 2 | 41°29'N / 97°18'W | 41°33'N / 97°13'W | 6.00 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 17 | 4.0M | 500K | Platte |
| Brief Description: Two farm houses destroyed. Six farm houses severely damaged. One house blown off foundation. Bar destroyed. Center pivots overturned. Severe crop damage. | |||||||||||
| 15.8 | 1954-05-30 | 4 | 41°44'N / 97°44'W | 41°45'N / 97°43'W | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Platte | ||
| 16.2 | 1952-08-13 | 3 | 41°28'N / 97°17'W | 41°26'N / 97°13'W | 3.30 Miles | 1300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Colfax |
| 17.9 | 1984-04-25 | 2 | 41°46'N / 97°45'W | 0.50 Mile | 3 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Madison | |
| 18.9 | 1969-06-25 | 2 | 41°45'N / 97°46'W | 41°56'N / 97°27'W | 20.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Madison |
| 20.1 | 1954-05-30 | 4 | 41°45'N / 97°43'W | 41°59'N / 97°22'W | 24.00 Miles | 167 Yards | 6 | 23 | 2.5M | 0 | Madison |
| 20.3 | 1967-06-13 | 2 | 41°45'N / 97°47'W | 41°59'N / 97°23'W | 26.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Madison |
| 20.4 | 1972-07-20 | 2 | 41°51'N / 97°40'W | 0.30 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Madison | |
| 20.8 | 1977-05-04 | 3 | 41°36'N / 97°08'W | 41°43'N / 97°07'W | 7.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Colfax |
| 22.3 | 1991-06-04 | 2 | 41°54'N / 97°33'W | 41°54'N / 97°28'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Madison |
| 23.5 | 1964-05-05 | 2 | 41°23'N / 98°15'W | 41°55'N / 97°40'W | 47.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Nance |
| 23.5 | 1962-07-21 | 3 | 41°06'N / 97°47'W | 41°24'N / 97°30'W | 25.20 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Polk |
| 25.1 | 1984-06-17 | 2 | 41°53'N / 97°15'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Stanton | |
| 25.3 | 1998-06-23 | 2 | 41°36'N / 97°04'W | 41°36'N / 96°59'W | 2.70 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Colfax |
| Brief Description: Debris on highway. | |||||||||||
| 26.5 | 1964-05-05 | 5 | 41°03'N / 97°34'W | 41°21'N / 97°16'W | 25.80 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Polk |
| 27.0 | 1982-05-20 | 2 | 41°34'N / 97°04'W | 41°37'N / 96°55'W | 5.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Colfax |
| 27.3 | 1990-03-13 | 4 | 41°26'N / 97°02'W | 41°27'N / 97°00'W | 4.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Colfax |
| 28.6 | 1992-06-15 | 2 | 41°10'N / 97°35'W | 2.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Polk | |
| 28.8 | 1953-06-07 | 3 | 41°42'N / 98°01'W | 41°49'N / 98°01'W | 8.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Boone |
| 29.2 | 1990-03-13 | 4 | 41°02'N / 97°20'W | 41°26'N / 97°02'W | 30.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Butler |
| 29.3 | 1953-06-07 | 2 | 41°21'N / 97°04'W | 41°25'N / 96°57'W | 6.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Butler |
| 30.3 | 1968-07-30 | 2 | 41°10'N / 97°39'W | 41°07'N / 97°32'W | 6.40 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Polk |
| 30.7 | 2001-10-09 | 3 | 41°05'N / 97°50'W | 41°15'N / 97°39'W | 16.00 Miles | 1500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.8M | 800K | Polk |
| Brief Description: A strong tornado entered Polk County from Hamilton County. A powerful upper level low pressure system plowing into an unstable airmass triggered widespread severe weather across south-central Nebraska during the late afternoon and evening hours. As many as nine tornadoes were confirmed and many reports of hail were received. The tornado damage was confined to an area located north and east of Grand Island, which included Merrick, Nance, Polk, Greeley, and Hamilton counties. The tornadoes got going west of Marquette. One twister set down in Hamilton county and crossed the Platte River southeast of Chapman. Damage to outbuildings was of most significance. Other tornadoes were reported in the Marquette area, with one tornado on the ground for 12 miles from south of Marquette to southeast of Hordville. This tornado was rated an F1 and produced minor structural damage to buildings and grain bins at several farms. Power lines were lost and several trees were blown over. Numerous center pivot irrigation systems were damaged. Just before 6 pm CDT, the most damaging tornado of the day developed near the Polk and Hamilton county line, and proceeded northeast across western Polk county, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Storm chaser reports indicated this tornado frequently became multi-vortex in nature and produced a wide swath of damage. Three miles north of Polk, a home was completely ripped from its foundation and blown into some nearby trees. The tornado was rated an F3 at this point. Along its 18 mile path, the tornado damaged over 20 center pivots, and nearly every farmstead in the path of the tornado sustained damage to the home, outbuildings, machinery or grain bins. This tornado lifted southwest of Silver Creek. Just prior to the F3 tornado in Polk county, an F2 tornado was ripping up a farmstead in northern Merrick county. This tornado was responsible for tearing the roof from a home, destroying two large metal outbuildings and damage to a half-dozen vehicles. The tornado moved north and destroyed a barn on the Nance and Merrick county line, but narrowly missed the home. Window and siding damage was noted at the home. Later that evening, one final tornado was reported. This tornado moved from south of Silver Creek to northeast of Silver Creek just before sunset. The tornado clipped the southeast side of town, resulting in damage to the post office, several cars, trees, and 13 residences in town. Fortunately, most of the damage was minor. | |||||||||||
| 31.8 | 1963-04-28 | 2 | 41°35'N / 97°01'W | 41°40'N / 96°47'W | 13.10 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Colfax |
| 31.9 | 1954-05-30 | 4 | 41°59'N / 97°22'W | 42°03'N / 97°17'W | 5.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Stanton |
| 32.2 | 1982-05-20 | 2 | 41°37'N / 96°55'W | 41°37'N / 96°52'W | 2.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Dodge |
| 33.0 | 1962-05-21 | 3 | 41°54'N / 97°54'W | 42°03'N / 97°50'W | 10.60 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Antelope |
| 33.1 | 2001-10-09 | 2 | 41°15'N / 98°00'W | 41°17'N / 98°00'W | 3.00 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 25K | Merrick |
| Brief Description: Tornado crossed from Merrick County into Nance County. A powerful upper level low pressure system plowing into an unstable airmass triggered widespread severe weather across south-central Nebraska during the late afternoon and evening hours. As many as nine tornadoes were confirmed and many reports of hail were received. The tornado damage was confined to an area located north and east of Grand Island, which included Merrick, Nance, Polk, Greeley, and Hamilton counties. The tornadoes got going west of Marquette. One twister set down in Hamilton county and crossed the Platte River southeast of Chapman. Damage to outbuildings was of most significance. Other tornadoes were reported in the Marquette area, with one tornado on the ground for 12 miles from south of Marquette to southeast of Hordville. This tornado was rated an F1 and produced minor structural damage to buildings and grain bins at several farms. Power lines were lost and several trees were blown over. Numerous center pivot irrigation systems were damaged. Just before 6 pm CDT, the most damaging tornado of the day developed near the Polk and Hamilton county line, and proceeded northeast across western Polk county, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Storm chaser reports indicated this tornado frequently became multi-vortex in nature and produced a wide swath of damage. Three miles north of Polk, a home was completely ripped from its foundation and blown into some nearby trees. The tornado was rated an F3 at this point. Along its 18 mile path, the tornado damaged over 20 center pivots, and nearly every farmstead in the path of the tornado sustained damage to the home, outbuildings, machinery or grain bins. This tornado lifted southwest of Silver Creek. Just prior to the F3 tornado in Polk county, an F2 tornado was ripping up a farmstead in northern Merrick county. This tornado was responsible for tearing the roof from a home, destroying two large metal outbuildings and damage to a half-dozen vehicles. The tornado moved north and destroyed a barn on the Nance and Merrick county line, but narrowly missed the home. Window and siding damage was noted at the home. Later that evening, one final tornado was reported. This tornado moved from south of Silver Creek to northeast of Silver Creek just before sunset. The tornado clipped the southeast side of town, resulting in damage to the post office, several cars, trees, and 13 residences in town. Fortunately, most of the damage was minor. | |||||||||||
| 33.5 | 1953-06-07 | 2 | 41°57'N / 97°40'W | 42°10'N / 97°31'W | 16.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Madison |
| 34.1 | 2006-09-15 | 2 | 41°06'N / 97°19'W | 41°07'N / 97°18'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Butler |
| Brief Description: A tornado did extensive tree damage and some structual damage throughout the town of Surprise including destroying a mobile home and tearing the roof off of a bar. The tornado was embedded in a larger downburst area that did damage over a 28 square mile area surrounding Surprise according a NWS storm survey. The tornado was rated an F2 in Surprise, where it initially touched down, and then weakened and lifted a few minutes later 1 mile northeast of town. | |||||||||||
| 34.6 | 1964-05-05 | 4 | 41°33'N / 98°17'W | 42°04'N / 97°56'W | 39.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Boone |
| 34.8 | 1966-06-05 | 2 | 41°42'N / 98°10'W | 0.70 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0 | Boone | |
| 35.5 | 1970-06-10 | 2 | 41°17'N / 96°57'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Butler | |||
| 35.5 | 1970-08-02 | 2 | 41°52'N / 98°05'W | 2.00 Miles | 167 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Boone | |
| 36.2 | 1965-05-08 | 4 | 41°33'N / 98°17'W | 41°55'N / 98°05'W | 27.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 4 | 53 | 25.0M | 0 | Boone |
| 36.4 | 1975-06-15 | 3 | 41°21'N / 97°57'W | 40°45'N / 97°02'W | 63.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Nance |
| 37.6 | 1962-05-21 | 3 | 42°03'N / 97°50'W | 42°06'N / 97°47'W | 3.60 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Madison |
| 38.2 | 1975-05-06 | 3 | 41°58'N / 97°12'W | 42°12'N / 97°14'W | 15.90 Miles | 167 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Stanton |
| 38.5 | 1990-03-13 | 4 | 41°02'N / 97°22'W | 41°02'N / 97°20'W | 4.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Seward |
| 40.8 | 1990-03-13 | 2 | 41°17'N / 98°20'W | 41°25'N / 98°09'W | 11.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Nance |
| 41.7 | 1964-05-06 | 2 | 41°19'N / 96°48'W | 41°21'N / 96°45'W | 2.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Saunders |
| 42.4 | 1953-06-07 | 2 | 42°08'N / 97°36'W | 42°15'N / 97°25'W | 12.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Pierce |
| 42.7 | 1952-08-13 | 3 | 41°21'N / 97°10'W | 41°15'N / 96°23'W | 41.10 Miles | 1300 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0 | Butler |
| 43.0 | 1964-05-05 | 4 | 41°24'N / 98°23'W | 41°33'N / 98°17'W | 11.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 11 | 25K | 0 | Greeley |
| 44.4 | 1964-05-05 | 5 | 40°51'N / 97°50'W | 41°03'N / 97°34'W | 19.40 Miles | 880 Yards | 2 | 30 | 2.5M | 0 | York |
| 44.9 | 1967-08-01 | 2 | 41°59'N / 96°50'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Cuming | |
| 45.4 | 1975-05-06 | 4 | 42°12'N / 97°34'W | 42°16'N / 97°32'W | 4.10 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Pierce |
| 45.5 | 1982-05-10 | 2 | 41°13'N / 98°15'W | 0.30 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Merrick | |
| 46.0 | 1990-03-13 | 2 | 41°15'N / 98°16'W | 41°17'N / 98°20'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Merrick |
| 46.3 | 1965-05-08 | 4 | 41°55'N / 98°05'W | 42°30'N / 97°33'W | 48.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Antelope |
| 46.7 | 1982-05-26 | 2 | 41°00'N / 97°59'W | 0.80 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hamilton | |
| 47.1 | 1957-06-21 | 3 | 40°54'N / 97°28'W | 40°54'N / 97°21'W | 5.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | York |
| 47.2 | 1990-03-13 | 3 | 41°06'N / 98°14'W | 41°11'N / 98°12'W | 6.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Merrick |
| 47.9 | 1962-05-21 | 3 | 42°06'N / 97°47'W | 42°26'N / 97°27'W | 28.50 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Pierce |
| 48.5 | 1990-03-13 | 4 | 40°43'N / 97°42'W | 41°02'N / 97°22'W | 23.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25.0M | 0 | York |
| 48.7 | 1973-06-18 | 2 | 42°21'N / 97°46'W | 42°12'N / 97°31'W | 16.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pierce |
| 48.8 | 1985-05-10 | 2 | 40°53'N / 97°20'W | 0.50 Mile | 400 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Seward | |
| 48.8 | 1954-06-17 | 3 | 42°05'N / 97°03'W | 42°07'N / 96°42'W | 17.90 Miles | 163 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Stanton |
| 49.3 | 1954-07-30 | 2 | 40°52'N / 97°37'W | 1.50 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | York | |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.