Sullivan County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Missouri Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Sullivan County is lower than Missouri average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Sullivan County is much lower than Missouri average and is about the same as the national average.
Earthquake Index, #108
| Sullivan County | 0.00 |
| Missouri | 0.70 |
| 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, #1
| Sullivan County | 0.0000 |
| Missouri | 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, #91
| Sullivan County | 142.89 |
| Missouri | 214.01 |
| 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 12,905 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Sullivan County 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: | 56 | Cold: | 118 | Dense Fog: | 72 | Drought: | 57 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 1,701 | Hail: | 4,841 | Heat: | 115 | Heavy Snow: | 155 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 113 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 149 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 4,605 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 257 | Winter Weather: | 211 |
| Other: | 455 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Sullivan County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Sullivan County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Sullivan County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 68 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Sullivan County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 11.9 | 1967-04-21 | 2 | 40°07'N / 93°20'W | 40°07'N / 93°16'W | 2.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 7 | 25K | 0 | Grundy |
| 14.1 | 1958-11-17 | 2 | 40°03'N / 93°27'W | 40°13'N / 93°16'W | 14.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Grundy |
| 15.4 | 1967-04-21 | 2 | 40°07'N / 93°25'W | 40°07'N / 93°20'W | 3.60 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Grundy |
| 19.7 | 1960-04-16 | 2 | 40°28'N / 93°25'W | 40°30'N / 93°01'W | 20.90 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mercer |
| 20.9 | 1973-04-21 | 4 | 40°26'N / 93°23'W | 40°28'N / 93°19'W | 3.60 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Putnam |
| 22.3 | 1973-04-21 | 4 | 40°20'N / 93°33'W | 40°26'N / 93°23'W | 11.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Mercer |
| 23.1 | 1960-04-16 | 2 | 40°30'N / 93°01'W | 40°32'N / 92°51'W | 8.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mercer |
| 27.7 | 1965-04-10 | 2 | 40°05'N / 93°42'W | 40°11'N / 93°33'W | 10.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Grundy |
| 29.4 | 1959-09-26 | 2 | 40°21'N / 93°39'W | 40°22'N / 93°37'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mercer | ||
| 30.4 | 2009-05-13 | 2 | 40°13'N / 92°35'W | 40°13'N / 92°29'W | 6.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 2 | 6 | 5.0M | 0K | Adair |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: An EF2 tornado touched down at 17:09 CST, 2 miles north-northwest of Kirksville. This tornado traveled east over northern portions of Kirksville, before lifting at 17:20 CST, 2 miles west-southwest of the town of Clay. This tornado killed two people and damaged numerous homes in northern Kirksville. Ten homes were destroyed and fifteen others suffered major damage. Up to 186 other buildings and homes had minor to moderate damage. Two dealerships suffered major damage. Several farmsteads suffered damage east of Kirksville. EPISODE NARRATIVE: During the evening of May 13, 2009, a series of powerful supercell storms developed ahead of a cold front, pushing southward out of Iowa and Nebraska. These supercell storms produced a wide array of severe weather, with large hail up to the size of golf balls and winds up to 60 mph reported. These storms marched across eastern Kansas and northern Missouri during the evening hours, with a strong supercell storm producing tornadic activity in parts of northeast Missouri. Damage surveys conducted by the National Weather Service, in conjunction with emergency management, have found evidence of three tornadoes in Sullivan and Adair counties. All tornadoes appeared to have been produced by the same supercell thunderstorm. There were three fatalities. Moderate to severe damage was reported, in the Kirksville area. | |||||||||||
| 30.6 | 1975-04-23 | 3 | 39°45'N / 93°11'W | 39°47'N / 93°05'W | 5.40 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Linn |
| 30.9 | 1960-05-16 | 2 | 40°12'N / 92°36'W | 40°16'N / 92°27'W | 8.70 Miles | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Adair |
| 31.4 | 1988-05-08 | 2 | 40°37'N / 93°20'W | 40°42'N / 93°05'W | 9.00 Miles | 43 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wayne |
| 32.1 | 1980-06-02 | 4 | 40°36'N / 93°36'W | 40°35'N / 93°19'W | 14.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Wayne |
| 32.2 | 1955-05-26 | 2 | 40°26'N / 92°41'W | 40°36'N / 92°37'W | 11.70 Miles | 27 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Schuyler |
| 32.2 | 1959-09-26 | 2 | 40°19'N / 93°45'W | 40°21'N / 93°39'W | 5.40 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mercer |
| 33.3 | 1980-06-02 | 2 | 40°39'N / 93°25'W | 40°39'N / 93°19'W | 4.70 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wayne |
| 33.4 | 1975-04-23 | 3 | 39°44'N / 93°21'W | 39°45'N / 93°11'W | 8.60 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Linn |
| 33.6 | 1965-04-10 | 2 | 39°57'N / 93°46'W | 40°03'N / 93°36'W | 11.10 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Grundy |
| 33.9 | 1970-04-29 | 2 | 40°35'N / 93°31'W | 40°37'N / 93°29'W | 2.30 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Wayne |
| 34.4 | 1971-05-05 | 3 | 39°43'N / 92°58'W | 39°44'N / 92°57'W | 0 | 12 | 2.5M | 0 | Linn | ||
| 34.5 | 1961-04-23 | 2 | 40°43'N / 93°33'W | 40°41'N / 92°25'W | 59.30 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Wayne |
| 34.8 | 1971-05-05 | 3 | 39°43'N / 92°59'W | 39°43'N / 92°58'W | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Chariton | ||
| 35.1 | 1980-06-02 | 2 | 40°38'N / 92°55'W | 40°40'N / 92°38'W | 14.70 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 5 | 2.5M | 0 | Appanoose |
| 35.5 | 1967-04-21 | 4 | 39°42'N / 93°10'W | 39°59'N / 92°07'W | 59.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Linn |
| 35.5 | 1960-05-16 | 2 | 40°16'N / 92°27'W | 40°17'N / 92°26'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Adair | ||
| 35.9 | 1999-04-08 | 2 | 39°42'N / 92°52'W | 39°54'N / 92°31'W | 21.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 2 | 1.0M | 400K | Macon |
| Brief Description: The tornado which formed in Carroll County continued northeast through Chariton County and into Macon County, where the most widespread damage occurred. Continuous damage was observed from 2 miles south of New Cambria, where two workers suffered minor injuries at a mining quarry, to 2 miles west of Atlanta. Within this area, thirteen single family homes and 9 mobile homes were destroyed. Six single family homes and 4 mobile homes suffered major damage, and 33 single family homes and one mobile home suffered minor damage. Eighty-five agricultural outbuildings were destroyed, and 37 sustained damage. Widespread tree and power pole damage occurred. Severe weather broke out in northwest and west-central Missouri around midday on April 8. Storms tracked rapidly northeastward and moved into central and north-central Missouri by early evening. The outbreak included at least five tornadoes, one of which moved along a 54-mile path across three counties. Reports of thunderstorm wind damage were also widespread throughout the area. | |||||||||||
| 36.9 | 1992-07-15 | 2 | 40°43'N / 92°50'W | 40°40'N / 92°47'W | 3.00 Miles | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Appanoose |
| 36.9 | 1991-04-26 | 2 | 40°38'N / 93°16'W | 40°51'N / 93°05'W | 15.00 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Wayne |
| 37.0 | 1971-05-05 | 3 | 39°39'N / 93°04'W | 39°42'N / 93°03'W | 2.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Chariton |
| 37.8 | 1967-04-21 | 2 | 39°39'N / 93°14'W | 39°41'N / 93°11'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Chariton |
| 37.9 | 1989-05-24 | 2 | 40°26'N / 93°46'W | 2.50 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Harrison | |
| 37.9 | 1970-10-08 | 2 | 40°43'N / 92°50'W | 2.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Appanoose | |
| 38.5 | 1973-04-20 | 4 | 39°56'N / 92°29'W | 39°59'N / 92°26'W | 3.80 Miles | 440 Yards | 1 | 3 | 25K | 0 | Macon |
| 39.2 | 1970-04-29 | 2 | 40°25'N / 93°59'W | 40°35'N / 93°31'W | 27.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Harrison |
| 39.3 | 1971-05-05 | 3 | 39°38'N / 93°04'W | 39°39'N / 93°04'W | 1.10 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Chariton |
| 39.4 | 1965-04-10 | 2 | 39°57'N / 93°47'W | 39°57'N / 93°46'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Daviess | ||
| 39.5 | 1984-06-07 | 2 | 39°58'N / 93°49'W | 39°59'N / 93°46'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Daviess |
| 39.9 | 1959-05-20 | 4 | 40°42'N / 93°09'W | 40°52'N / 92°54'W | 17.20 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Wayne |
| 40.4 | 1971-05-05 | 3 | 39°37'N / 93°06'W | 39°38'N / 93°04'W | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Chariton | ||
| 40.6 | 1961-09-01 | 2 | 40°42'N / 92°41'W | 1.00 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Appanoose | |
| 40.8 | 1991-04-26 | 2 | 40°42'N / 93°22'W | 40°51'N / 93°18'W | 9.00 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wayne |
| 41.4 | 1999-04-08 | 2 | 39°53'N / 92°28'W | 40°00'N / 92°21'W | 10.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 250K | Macon |
| Brief Description: After dissipating just west of Atlanta, a new tornado touched down 1 mile southeast of Atlanta and moved northeast into Knox County. In Macon County, 5 single family residences and 3 mobile homes were destroyed from 2 miles east of Atlanta to 10 miles northeast of Atlanta. Four single family homes were damaged within this area. Several outbuildings were also damaged or destroyed. Some damage south of the tornado track was likely due to the very intense rear flank downdraft, which storm spotters observed to accompany the storm. Severe weather broke out in northwest and west-central Missouri around midday on April 8. Storms tracked rapidly northeastward and moved into central and north-central Missouri by early evening. The outbreak included at least five tornadoes, one of which moved along a 54-mile path across three counties. Reports of thunderstorm wind damage were also widespread throughout the area. | |||||||||||
| 41.4 | 1984-06-07 | 4 | 40°44'N / 93°32'W | 40°49'N / 93°13'W | 19.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Wayne |
| 41.5 | 1999-04-08 | 2 | 39°30'N / 93°18'W | 39°43'N / 92°52'W | 26.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 600K | 100K | Chariton |
| Brief Description: The Carroll County tornado continued northeast across Chariton County damaging or destroying several outbuildings near Mendon and 5 miles south of Marceline. In addition, a single family home suffered minor damage, and a mobile home was damaged 5 miles south of Marceline. Severe weather broke out in northwest and west-central Missouri around midday on April 8. Storms tracked rapidly northeastward and moved into central and north-central Missouri by early evening. The outbreak included at least five tornadoes, one of which moved along a 54-mile path across three counties. Reports of thunderstorm wind damage were also widespread throughout the area. | |||||||||||
| 42.0 | 1988-05-08 | 2 | 40°42'N / 93°05'W | 40°52'N / 92°36'W | 24.00 Miles | 43 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Appanoose |
| 42.1 | 1967-01-24 | 4 | 40°24'N / 92°32'W | 40°35'N / 92°16'W | 18.90 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Schuyler |
| 42.6 | 1958-11-17 | 2 | 40°12'N / 93°56'W | 40°16'N / 93°54'W | 4.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Harrison |
| 43.0 | 1980-06-02 | 2 | 40°40'N / 92°38'W | 40°43'N / 92°33'W | 5.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Davis |
| 43.1 | 1984-06-07 | 4 | 40°49'N / 93°13'W | 40°51'N / 93°06'W | 7.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Lucas |
| 43.6 | 1970-06-12 | 4 | 39°33'N / 92°53'W | 39°43'N / 92°40'W | 16.10 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Chariton |
| 43.8 | 1980-06-02 | 4 | 40°37'N / 93°55'W | 40°36'N / 93°36'W | 16.50 Miles | 140 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Decatur |
| 44.5 | 1984-06-07 | 4 | 40°35'N / 93°54'W | 40°44'N / 93°32'W | 22.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Decatur |
| 44.6 | 1964-06-14 | 2 | 40°40'N / 92°40'W | 40°44'N / 92°27'W | 11.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Appanoose |
| 44.7 | 1960-04-16 | 2 | 40°48'N / 93°18'W | 40°54'N / 93°10'W | 9.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Wayne |
| 44.8 | 1961-04-23 | 2 | 40°43'N / 93°44'W | 40°43'N / 93°33'W | 9.30 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Decatur |
| 46.3 | 1970-06-12 | 3 | 39°44'N / 92°29'W | 39°50'N / 92°23'W | 8.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Macon |
| 47.5 | 1970-06-20 | 2 | 39°43'N / 92°29'W | 1.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Macon | |
| 48.0 | 1999-04-08 | 2 | 39°56'N / 92°18'W | 40°00'N / 92°13'W | 7.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Knox |
| Brief Description: A tornado moved from Macon into Knox County southwest of Novelty and caused damage for about 7 miles as it tracked northeast. One home completely lost its roof while another lost half of its roof. Another home had the siding peeled off one side. At least 4 barns, 6 outbuildings and 2 grain bins were destroyed. Several large trees were downed along with power lines and power poles. | |||||||||||
| 48.5 | 1953-05-10 | 4 | 40°52'N / 93°20'W | 40°56'N / 93°14'W | 6.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Wayne |
| 49.1 | 1984-06-07 | 4 | 40°25'N / 94°02'W | 40°34'N / 93°54'W | 10.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 1 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Harrison |
| 49.4 | 1964-06-22 | 2 | 40°44'N / 93°45'W | 1.00 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Decatur | |
| 49.4 | 1965-09-20 | 2 | 40°43'N / 92°36'W | 40°50'N / 92°28'W | 10.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Davis |
| 49.4 | 1985-09-22 | 2 | 40°52'N / 93°29'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Wayne | |
| 49.5 | 1975-04-23 | 4 | 39°41'N / 92°40'W | 39°41'N / 92°17'W | 20.30 Miles | 1700 Yards | 1 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Macon |
| 49.7 | 1967-04-21 | 2 | 40°01'N / 94°06'W | 40°04'N / 93°57'W | 8.40 Miles | 90 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Daviess |
| 49.7 | 1988-11-15 | 2 | 40°54'N / 93°02'W | 40°57'N / 92°58'W | 4.00 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Monroe |
| 50.0 | 1974-04-13 | 3 | 39°54'N / 92°16'W | 39°55'N / 92°14'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Shelby | ||
* 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.