Valley County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Nebraska Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Valley County is about the same as Nebraska average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Valley County is lower than Nebraska average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #66
| Valley County | 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, #1
| Valley County | 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, #46
| Valley County | 187.25 |
| 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 10,340 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Valley 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: | 20 | Cold: | 52 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 6 |
| Dust Storm: | 1 | Flood: | 369 | Hail: | 6,431 | Heat: | 6 | Heavy Snow: | 19 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 12 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 39 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 2,986 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 97 | Winter Weather: | 20 |
| Other: | 281 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Valley County.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 1 historical earthquake event that had a recorded magnitude of 3.5 or above found in or near Valley County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 47.2 | 1975-05-13 | 4.3 | N/A | 42.12 | -98.45 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 62 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Valley County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 3.3 | 1974-04-20 | 3 | 41°26'N / 99°08'W | 41°47'N / 98°53'W | 27.30 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Dawson |
| 5.1 | 1972-07-20 | 2 | 41°30'N / 98°56'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Valley | |||
| 6.7 | 1963-08-27 | 2 | 41°28'N / 99°04'W | 41°28'N / 98°55'W | 7.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Valley |
| 6.9 | 1999-06-03 | 3 | 41°36'N / 99°10'W | 41°42'N / 98°56'W | 14.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.5M | 1.0M | Valley |
| Brief Description: Late in the evening of June 3rd, a severe thunderstorm produced a large tornado across northwest Valley county. The thunderstorm entered the western part of the county around 11 pm. Shortly thereafter, the tornado touched down 12 miles west of Ord and snaked its way northeast before lifting after midnight about 7 miles north of Ord. This F3 tornado had a damage path almost one-half mile wide at one point. It completely destroyed two farmsteads and damaged two others along its path. At the two destroyed farmsteads, residents took shelter in the basement upon warning. The tornado tossed cars and farm equipment up to 300 feet, strewn irrigation pipe across the countryside and killed livestock. The two destroyed homes were completely wiped from the foundation. However, given sufficient warning, no one in the storms path was injured or killed. | |||||||||||
| 8.2 | 1963-06-09 | 2 | 41°38'N / 98°55'W | 41°40'N / 98°50'W | 4.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Valley |
| 8.7 | 1953-06-07 | 4 | 41°21'N / 99°06'W | 41°34'N / 99°03'W | 15.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 11 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Valley |
| 10.2 | 1960-08-05 | 3 | 41°42'N / 99°12'W | 41°40'N / 99°00'W | 10.30 Miles | 150 Yards | 1 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Valley |
| 10.6 | 1987-07-06 | 2 | 41°36'N / 99°12'W | 41°40'N / 99°08'W | 4.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Valley |
| 13.2 | 1959-05-28 | 2 | 41°24'N / 99°13'W | 41°27'N / 99°06'W | 6.40 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Valley |
| 14.7 | 1999-06-03 | 2 | 41°31'N / 99°17'W | 41°34'N / 99°15'W | 5.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 0 | Custer |
| Brief Description: Several large hail reports were received beginning at 936 PM CDT near Berwyn. Five center pivot irrigation systems were overturned from 8 miles southwest to 7 miles west southwest of Comstock at approximately 1000 PM CDT. A tornado initially touched down 3 miles southwest of Comstock and was intermittentaly on the ground causing tree damage. The tornado then dropped down 1 mile southwest of the center of Comstock. It reached its maximum intensity as it struck a farm 1/2 mile west of Comstock. Every outbuilding on the farm was destroyed, including a large machine building and the house was heavily damaged. The tornado then crossed the Middle Loup River and struck a residence on the northwest edge of Comstock destroying three outbuildings and damaging the house. Another farm a mile north of Comstock was struck, and everything but the house was destroyed. Several vehicles in the path were damaged or destroyed. | |||||||||||
| 14.8 | 1962-04-26 | 2 | 41°43'N / 98°47'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Valley | |
| 16.0 | 1981-08-04 | 2 | 41°46'N / 98°50'W | 0.20 Mile | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Garfield | |
| 16.5 | 1974-04-20 | 2 | 41°12'N / 98°59'W | 41°29'N / 98°45'W | 22.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Sherman |
| 16.8 | 1953-06-07 | 4 | 41°20'N / 99°08'W | 41°21'N / 99°06'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Sherman | ||
| 17.3 | 1972-07-20 | 3 | 41°29'N / 99°36'W | 41°42'N / 99°02'W | 32.80 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Custer |
| 18.0 | 1974-04-20 | 2 | 41°29'N / 98°45'W | 41°48'N / 98°33'W | 24.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Greeley |
| 19.2 | 1974-04-20 | 3 | 41°14'N / 99°15'W | 41°26'N / 99°08'W | 14.70 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Dawson |
| 19.3 | 1955-09-20 | 2 | 41°39'N / 99°23'W | 41°44'N / 99°15'W | 8.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Custer |
| 19.4 | 1955-07-08 | 2 | 41°17'N / 99°12'W | 41°17'N / 98°44'W | 24.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 1 | 13 | 250K | 0 | Sherman |
| 21.9 | 1961-05-30 | 3 | 41°37'N / 99°52'W | 41°38'N / 98°56'W | 48.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Custer |
| 21.9 | 1961-05-30 | 3 | 41°37'N / 99°52'W | 41°38'N / 98°56'W | 48.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Custer |
| 21.9 | 1961-05-30 | 4 | 41°37'N / 99°52'W | 41°38'N / 98°56'W | 48.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Custer |
| 21.9 | 2004-07-12 | 2 | 41°49'N / 98°44'W | 41°49'N / 98°43'W | 1.00 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 90K | 0 | Wheeler |
| Brief Description: The tornado touched down in open rangeland and then moved south breaking off and uprooting numerous large trees as it encountered a farmstead. One large tree fell on the roof of a home. As the tornado moved south across the road, it hit another farmstead. Again, it broke off and uprooted numerous large trees and broke many power poles. The barn and steel fencing was lifted and tossed 50 yards northwestwards into a tree belt behind the house. The roof of the home was taken off. A detached garage was demolished. Before lifting, the tornado moved through a corral south of the home where it severely injured or killed several horses. After the storm, two colts and a mare were found up in a tree. | |||||||||||
| 22.1 | 1953-06-07 | 2 | 41°15'N / 99°15'W | 41°20'N / 99°10'W | 6.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Sherman |
| 22.6 | 1955-07-08 | 2 | 41°17'N / 99°13'W | 41°17'N / 99°12'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Custer | ||
| 25.0 | 1953-06-07 | 2 | 41°28'N / 98°38'W | 41°41'N / 98°22'W | 20.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Greeley |
| 25.7 | 1955-07-08 | 2 | 41°17'N / 98°44'W | 41°17'N / 98°35'W | 7.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Howard |
| 26.4 | 1953-06-07 | 2 | 41°14'N / 99°16'W | 41°15'N / 99°15'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Custer | ||
| 27.0 | 1974-04-26 | 3 | 41°12'N / 99°18'W | 41°15'N / 99°11'W | 6.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 3 | 0K | 0 | Custer |
| 28.3 | 1990-06-01 | 3 | 41°16'N / 99°50'W | 41°44'N / 99°13'W | 25.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Custer |
| 30.1 | 1992-01-07 | 2 | 41°09'N / 98°48'W | 0.10 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Sherman | |
| 31.0 | 1965-05-08 | 4 | 41°14'N / 98°40'W | 42°20'N / 98°15'W | 78.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Howard |
| 31.4 | 2000-10-31 | 2 | 41°20'N / 99°33'W | 41°28'N / 99°33'W | 12.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.0M | 0 | Custer |
| Brief Description: The tornado touched down 7 miles southeast of Broken Bow and traveled 12 miles north northeast across farm and rangeland. Initial damage occurred at touchdown with a modular home destroyed. Then over the next 2 miles 3 farmsteads were struck. The first suffered heavy damage to all buildings including the house. At the second farmstead a modular home and several buildings were completely destroyed. The third farmstead suffered extensive damage to the outbuildings and minor damage to the house. The tornado then moved across highway 2 and destroyed several farm building 4 miles east of Broken Bow. Then as the tornado moved across highway 70 another farmstead was struck with several outbuildings destroyed and the house damaged. The tornado remained on the the ground and destroyed a barn 5 miles northeast of Broken Bow, then did extensive damage to a farmstead 7 miles northeast of Broken Bow where several outbuildings were destroyed or damaged and damaged the house. Tree damage was extensive along the entire path and several center pivot irrigation systems were destroyed. The tornado lifted 7 miles northeast of Broken Bow. | |||||||||||
| 32.7 | 2004-07-12 | 2 | 41°59'N / 98°40'W | 41°58'N / 98°40'W | 1.50 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 130K | 0 | Wheeler |
| Brief Description: The tornado touched down in an grove of trees, uprooting and breaking off numerous large trees. As the tornado moved southeastwards, it encountered a farmstead where it ripped off the roof of the home, destroyed a machine shed and garage, and broke power poles. Before lifting, the tornado moved through a field and overturned the end of a center pivot irrigation system. | |||||||||||
| 33.4 | 1974-04-26 | 3 | 41°20'N / 99°37'W | 41°23'N / 99°31'W | 5.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Custer |
| 34.2 | 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 |
| 34.2 | 1965-05-08 | 3 | 41°03'N / 98°45'W | 41°11'N / 98°39'W | 10.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Howard |
| 34.9 | 1967-06-13 | 2 | 40°52'N / 99°10'W | 41°15'N / 98°47'W | 33.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Buffalo |
| 35.5 | 1970-05-12 | 2 | 41°24'N / 99°38'W | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Custer | |||
| 35.9 | 1955-05-02 | 2 | 41°23'N / 99°38'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Custer | |||
| 35.9 | 1984-04-25 | 3 | 41°11'N / 98°30'W | 41°16'N / 98°25'W | 8.00 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 18 | 25.0M | 0 | Howard |
| 36.0 | 1959-06-27 | 2 | 41°05'N / 98°43'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Howard | |
| 36.6 | 1982-05-10 | 2 | 41°13'N / 98°27'W | 0.30 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Howard | |
| 37.2 | 1964-05-05 | 2 | 41°07'N / 98°33'W | 41°23'N / 98°15'W | 24.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 7 | 25K | 0 | Howard |
| 37.3 | 1965-05-08 | 4 | 40°52'N / 98°36'W | 41°33'N / 98°17'W | 49.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Hall |
| 37.5 | 1974-04-20 | 3 | 40°57'N / 99°26'W | 41°14'N / 99°15'W | 21.50 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 3 | 2.5M | 0 | Dawson |
| 37.8 | 1999-04-21 | 2 | 41°08'N / 98°33'W | 41°08'N / 98°31'W | 2.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0 | Howard |
| Brief Description: Thunderstorms developed west of Holdrege in the morning and spread quickly northeast to St. Paul and Greeley by noon. Early on, the thunderstorms dumped hail and torrential rainfall northeast of Holdrege. 2.75" diameter hail was reported north of Holdrege and some areas in northwest Phelps county noted three foot hail drifts. Rain and hail teamed to produce areas of erosion across freshly tilled fields. As the storms spread northeast, a brief tornado damaged a home under construction north of Dannebrog. The tornado nearly destroyed the entire main floor. Only one wall was left standing. The owner and construction crew at the house at the time escaped injury by going to the basement just before the tornado struck. Minor roof damage occurred on a nearby house. Another brief tornado touch down occurred just south of St. Paul, causing some minor damage to outbuildings. | |||||||||||
| 40.9 | 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 |
| 41.1 | 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 | 1956-06-06 | 4 | 40°58'N / 99°06'W | 2.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Buffalo | |
| 42.1 | 1964-04-26 | 2 | 40°56'N / 98°54'W | 41°00'N / 98°44'W | 9.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Buffalo |
| 42.9 | 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 |
| 43.2 | 1966-06-05 | 2 | 41°42'N / 98°10'W | 0.70 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0 | Boone | |
| 44.7 | 1984-06-11 | 3 | 41°00'N / 98°35'W | 41°02'N / 98°28'W | 7.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Hall |
| 44.9 | 1982-05-10 | 2 | 41°13'N / 98°15'W | 0.30 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Merrick | |
| 45.6 | 1984-06-11 | 3 | 41°02'N / 98°28'W | 41°05'N / 98°22'W | 7.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Howard |
| 47.3 | 1999-05-02 | 2 | 41°05'N / 98°19'W | 41°10'N / 98°15'W | 5.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Howard |
| Brief Description: As strong low pressure lifted across Nebraska and Kansas, a series of damaging tornadoes ripped across south-central Nebraska during the late afternoon and evening hours. No less than 10 tornadoes were confirmed across an area from west of Arapahoe to north of Grand Island near St. Libory. Tornado damage began around mid-afternoon near Holbrook. A brief tornado did some damage to a farmstead northwest of town. Another tornado set down in southern Gosper county and damaged or destroyed at least 3 irrigation center pivots. Tornadoes touched down near Ragan and west of Wilcox. Eventually, another twister near Macon hit two farms. With debris flying through the air, one man stood on his front porch as the tornado passed. Outbuildings, center pivots, and grain bins were heavily damaged by this tornado. Just after 6 pm, the first of three tornadoes in Adams county took aim on the region west of Kenesaw. Shortly thereafter, another tornado set down southeast of Kenesaw and moved northeast. One farm sustained damage southeast of Kenesaw as irrigation pipe littered the fields along the twister's path. Both tornadoes were on the ground at the same time. A third tornado set down west of Juniata but did no damage before lifting. Around 7 pm, a short lived tornado was observed just northwest of Wood River. This tornado destroyed grain bins, damaged a grain dryer and pulled shingles from a house nearby. Strong winds in the region also downed power lines and poles south of town. Finally, just after 8 pm, the final tornado of the evening set down in extreme western Merrick county and moved north just inside the Howard county line. This F2, multiple vortex tornado was on the ground for about 5 miles and damaged or destroyed numerous outbuildings and trees along its path. | |||||||||||
| 48.1 | 1984-06-11 | 2 | 40°53'N / 98°47'W | 0.50 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Buffalo | |
| 48.2 | 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 |
| 48.3 | 1953-05-09 | 2 | 40°58'N / 99°28'W | 1.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Dawson | |
| 49.3 | 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 |
| 50.0 | 1990-03-13 | 3 | 41°02'N / 98°20'W | 41°06'N / 98°14'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Howard |
* 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.