Benton County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Missouri Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Benton County is lower than Missouri average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Benton County is lower than Missouri average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #86
| Benton 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
| Benton 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, #72
| Benton County | 167.76 |
| 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 16,195 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Benton 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: | 10 | Cold: | 54 | Dense Fog: | 47 | Drought: | 45 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 2,289 | Hail: | 7,164 | Heat: | 100 | Heavy Snow: | 76 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 62 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 90 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 5,722 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 18 | Winter Storm: | 175 | Winter Weather: | 79 |
| Other: | 264 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Benton County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Benton County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Benton County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 62 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Benton County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 9.1 | 1954-05-28 | 2 | 38°15'N / 93°08'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Benton | |
| 9.7 | 1973-04-20 | 3 | 38°18'N / 93°17'W | 38°34'N / 93°10'W | 19.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Benton |
| 10.0 | 1973-04-20 | 3 | 38°25'N / 93°24'W | 5.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Pettis | |
| 13.7 | 1982-03-15 | 3 | 38°05'N / 93°35'W | 38°15'N / 93°22'W | 14.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Benton |
| 15.7 | 1973-04-20 | 3 | 38°27'N / 93°28'W | 38°34'N / 93°21'W | 10.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Benton |
| 16.5 | 1973-04-20 | 2 | 38°32'N / 93°13'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Benton | |
| 18.8 | 1982-03-15 | 2 | 38°18'N / 92°59'W | 38°20'N / 92°54'W | 5.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Morgan |
| 20.8 | 1973-04-19 | 4 | 38°32'N / 93°32'W | 10.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Henry | |
| 23.8 | 2006-03-12 | 2 | 38°17'N / 92°51'W | 38°17'N / 92°51'W | 6.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 5 | 850K | 0 | Morgan |
| Brief Description: A tornado initially touched down southwest of Gravois Mills and tracked through the city. 20 homes were destroyed while another 10 were damaged. This tornado was spawned from the same cyclic supercell that produced tornadoes back in Hickory, Polk, Dade, and Barton counties. | |||||||||||
| 24.0 | 2006-03-12 | 2 | 38°37'N / 93°17'W | 38°40'N / 93°07'W | 11.20 Miles | 500 Yards | 1 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Pettis |
| Brief Description: F2 tornado touched down 6.5 miles east of Green Ridge at 1612 CST and moved northeast. The tornado caused the death of one woman...when the trailer she was fleeing was blown on top of her. Another 6 people were injured as well. Numerous homes suffered varying degrees of damage. The tornado lifted one mile southwest of Smithton at 1625 CST. F39MH | |||||||||||
| 25.7 | 1954-05-28 | 2 | 38°09'N / 92°52'W | 38°12'N / 92°49'W | 4.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Camden |
| 25.8 | 1977-05-04 | 3 | 38°38'N / 93°24'W | 38°43'N / 93°13'W | 11.20 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 24 | 25.0M | 0 | Pettis |
| 26.5 | 2006-03-12 | 3 | 37°51'N / 93°26'W | 37°59'N / 93°10'W | 17.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 19 | 1.0M | 0 | Hickory |
| Brief Description: A large tornado touched down over rural southwest Hickory County and tracked near the Pomme De Terre lake damn. The tornado eventually tore through an intersection known as Carsons Corner causing signficant structural damage along with 19 injuries. | |||||||||||
| 27.0 | 1952-08-21 | 2 | 38°41'N / 93°16'W | 38°42'N / 93°14'W | 1.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 1 | 13 | 25.0M | 0 | Pettis |
| 27.2 | 1954-05-28 | 2 | 38°12'N / 92°49'W | 38°13'N / 92°47'W | 2.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Morgan |
| 27.6 | 1980-05-12 | 3 | 38°40'N / 93°25'W | 38°44'N / 93°08'W | 15.80 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 23 | 25.0M | 0 | Pettis |
| 27.9 | 1954-04-30 | 2 | 38°26'N / 92°50'W | 38°28'N / 92°47'W | 3.60 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Morgan |
| 28.1 | 1973-04-20 | 2 | 38°42'N / 93°11'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 8 | 2.5M | 0 | Pettis | |
| 29.4 | 2006-03-12 | 2 | 38°36'N / 93°40'W | 38°42'N / 93°32'W | 12.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.0M | 0 | Johnson |
| Brief Description: Tornado touched down at 2040 CST 2 miles northeast of Leeton...producing F0 damage along PP Highway. As it moved northeast...additional F0 to F1 damage was noted to a farmstead along SE 650th Road. The most intense F2 damage was noted along Y Highway just east of Highway 23...where several homes suffered F2 damage. The tornado crossed into Pettis county at 2057 CST...1.5 miles southeast of Whiteman Air Force Base. | |||||||||||
| 30.9 | 1982-07-09 | 2 | 38°00'N / 92°52'W | 0.50 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Camden | |
| 31.0 | 1961-03-05 | 2 | 38°16'N / 92°46'W | 38°23'N / 92°40'W | 9.60 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Morgan |
| 31.6 | 1964-04-12 | 2 | 38°34'N / 93°46'W | 38°41'N / 93°38'W | 10.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 1 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Johnson |
| 31.6 | 2006-03-12 | 2 | 38°43'N / 93°31'W | 38°44'N / 93°30'W | 0.80 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Pettis |
| Brief Description: F2 tornado crossed from Johnson county into Pettis county at 2057 CST and quickly dissipated. No significant damage was observed as the tornado moved over rural areas. | |||||||||||
| 32.7 | 1956-12-04 | 2 | 38°16'N / 93°56'W | 38°23'N / 93°51'W | 9.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Henry |
| 34.1 | 1961-03-05 | 2 | 38°23'N / 92°40'W | 38°23'N / 92°40'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Morgan | ||
| 34.9 | 2003-05-04 | 2 | 37°48'N / 93°12'W | 37°48'N / 93°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Hickory |
| Brief Description: This is a continuation of the Polk County tornado that entered the extreme southeastern corner of Hickory County prior to moving into Dallas County. A few trees were downed, however, no damage to any structures were observed. | |||||||||||
| 35.1 | 1982-03-15 | 3 | 37°54'N / 93°52'W | 38°03'N / 93°42'W | 15.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | St. Clair |
| 35.4 | 1973-04-20 | 2 | 37°58'N / 93°51'W | 38°02'N / 93°47'W | 5.70 Miles | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | St. Clair |
| 35.7 | 1966-10-14 | 2 | 38°21'N / 92°39'W | 38°23'N / 92°37'W | 2.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Miller |
| 35.8 | 1970-05-09 | 2 | 38°01'N / 92°45'W | 38°04'N / 92°41'W | 4.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Camden |
| 36.8 | 2003-05-04 | 3 | 37°47'N / 93°12'W | 37°48'N / 92°59'W | 14.00 Miles | 880 Yards | 2 | 10 | 3.8M | 0K | Dallas |
| Brief Description: This is a continuation of the Polk County tornado that entered the northwestern portion of Dallas County near the Polk-Hickory-Dallas County lines. The tornado then tracked through rural areas and small communities of northern Dallas County where it destroyed approximately 48 homes and outbuildings and claimed the lives of two local residents. Bob and Robin Moroni ages 49 and 47, were sleeping in their modular home when the tornado struck. They were both deceased from being thrown several yards from their location. M49PH, F47PH | |||||||||||
| 37.2 | 2004-05-26 | 2 | 37°58'N / 93°57'W | 37°58'N / 93°42'W | 12.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 500K | 0 | St. Clair |
| Brief Description: An F-2 tornado touched down seven miles west of Roscoe...eventually tracking through the middle of this small community. Numerous homes and building were heavily damaged or destroyed. Minutes later the tornado dissipated south of Osceola. One injury occurred from flying debris. | |||||||||||
| 37.7 | 2003-05-04 | 2 | 37°44'N / 93°38'W | 37°48'N / 93°14'W | 23.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3.7M | 1.0M | Polk |
| Brief Description: This tornado is a continuation of the Cedar County tornado that produced F-3 damage in the city of Stockton. The tornado remained on the ground across rural sections of northern Polk County. The tornado destroyed 180 homes and outbuildings while damaging 70. The structural damage was estimated at 3.7 million dollars, with an additional one million dollars of agricultural loss. The tornado continued on the ground into extreme southeastern Hickory County. | |||||||||||
| 39.5 | 1990-06-07 | 2 | 38°27'N / 92°35'W | 0.50 Mile | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Moniteau | |
| 39.8 | 1966-10-14 | 2 | 37°54'N / 92°48'W | 38°02'N / 92°35'W | 14.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Camden |
| 40.4 | 2003-05-04 | 3 | 37°54'N / 92°50'W | 37°59'N / 92°34'W | 14.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 4 | 27 | 5.0M | 1.0M | Camden |
| Brief Description: A long lived cyclic supercell that had a history of producing large and destructive tornadoes spawned another large tornado in rural south central Camden County. This tornado then tracked northeast into more populated areas south of Camdenton, where it claimed the lives of four local residents. Approximately 50 homes and outbuildings were destroyed along with significant agricultural loss. Roy Wright age 53, was deceased from being tossed from his mobile home as the tornado struck. George and Betty Jones ages 75 and 76, were taking cover in there bath tub while the tornado directly struck their frame home. They were deceased from being tossed into a field about three feet from each other. Grace Racy was taking shelter in her frame home while the tornado approached. She suffered a broken back along with other critical injuries from being tossed and hit by flying debris. She deceased about a month and a half after the event of complications from the injuries. F83PH, M53MH, M75PH, F76PH | |||||||||||
| 40.7 | 2006-03-12 | 2 | 38°28'N / 94°04'W | 38°33'N / 93°55'W | 11.00 Miles | 450 Yards | 1 | 13 | 500K | 0 | Henry |
| Brief Description: Tornado crossed into Henry county at 2007 CST from Cass county. The tornado produced occasional F2 damage before dissipating 3 miles east southeast of Blairstown at 2025 CST. There was one fatality where a man died after the house was destroyed. M54PH | |||||||||||
| 40.7 | 1999-05-04 | 3 | 37°59'N / 93°56'W | 38°01'N / 93°56'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 50K | 0 | St. Clair |
| Brief Description: A tornado downed trees just north of Highway 82 near the intersection of OO Highway. The tornado skipped across an open field and increased in intensity just before striking and completely destroying a modular home, spreading debris nearly a mile away. One person in the home was injured. | |||||||||||
| 41.0 | 1973-04-20 | 2 | 38°50'N / 92°57'W | 2.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Cooper | |
| 41.5 | 1966-10-14 | 2 | 38°33'N / 92°40'W | 38°38'N / 92°34'W | 7.60 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Moniteau |
| 42.6 | 1966-10-14 | 2 | 38°02'N / 92°35'W | 38°03'N / 92°34'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Camden | ||
| 43.6 | 1980-05-12 | 2 | 38°34'N / 92°48'W | 38°44'N / 92°26'W | 22.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Moniteau |
| 43.8 | 2006-03-12 | 2 | 38°56'N / 93°27'W | 38°55'N / 93°25'W | 3.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Pettis |
| Brief Description: Tornado touched down at 2007CST...5 miles west-northwest of Houstonia and moved into Saline county 3 miles west-northwest of Houstonia at 2009 CST. Tornado was over rural areas with no significant damage noted. | |||||||||||
| 44.5 | 2003-05-04 | 2 | 38°38'N / 94°07'W | 38°44'N / 93°47'W | 18.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1K | 0 | Johnson |
| Brief Description: This is the Cass county tornado which entered Johnson county in open country around Latour. Reported by a trained spotter. tornado intermittently touched down for the next 18 miles in mainly open country. A dry line moved into eastern Kansas on the afternoon of May 4th. Severe thunderstorms quickly erupted in the mid afternoon hours and marched east northeast into Missouri. Several of the severe thunderstorms became tornadic. A supercell thunderstorm produced 4 seperate tornadoes over the northland of Kansas City. The strongest tornadoes reached F4 in intensity and moved over southern portions of Platte and Clay counties. In Platte county 14 buildings were destroyed, 43 suffered major damage and 149 had minor damage. There were no fatalities or injuries and total damage was estimated at $33.95 million dollars. In Clay county total damages were estimated at $91 million dollars. Several hundred homes were either destroyed or had major or minor damage. No fatalities were observed but there were 19 injuries. This was the most significant tornado outbeak in the Kansas City Metropolitan area, since the Pleasant Hill Missouri outbreak in 1977. | |||||||||||
| 45.2 | 1967-10-24 | 2 | 38°38'N / 92°34'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Moniteau | |
| 45.3 | 1966-10-14 | 2 | 38°06'N / 92°31'W | 38°09'N / 92°27'W | 4.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Miller |
| 45.4 | 1992-09-07 | 2 | 38°52'N / 92°55'W | 38°50'N / 92°44'W | 10.20 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cooper |
| 45.5 | 2006-03-12 | 2 | 38°25'N / 94°08'W | 38°28'N / 94°05'W | 5.00 Miles | 450 Yards | 0 | 0 | 75K | 0 | Cass |
| Brief Description: Tornado crossed from Bates county into Cass county...6 miles south-southwest of Creighton at 2005 CST. It moved northeast and exited Cass county into Henry county at 2007 CST...2 miles south of Creighton. F1 damage to several structures was noted. | |||||||||||
| 46.0 | 1986-10-03 | 2 | 38°20'N / 92°28'W | 38°22'N / 92°25'W | 6.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Miller |
| 46.0 | 1966-10-14 | 2 | 38°38'N / 92°34'W | 38°38'N / 92°32'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Moniteau | ||
| 46.9 | 1961-07-22 | 2 | 38°58'N / 93°30'W | 38°58'N / 93°25'W | 4.10 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Saline |
| 47.0 | 2008-03-31 | 2 | 37°37'N / 93°09'W | 37°39'N / 93°05'W | 5.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 3 | 1.0M | 0K | Dallas |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A National Weather Service storm survey revealed that an EF-2 tornado impacted a section of Dallas County, including the city of Buffalo. Approximately 40 homes were heavily damaged or destroyed, and three people were injured. The path of destruction extended over an industrial plant and flipped airplanes at the Buffalo Airport. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 120 mph. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Eleven tornadoes and significant flash flooding occurred in response to several clusters of thunderstorms impacting the Missouri Ozarks. The ground was saturated from record rainfall in both the months of February and March. Record flooding occurred along Lake Taneycomo as high releases from Table Rock Lake Dam flooded all lowlands along Taneycomo, including numerous frame and mobile homes. | |||||||||||
| 47.3 | 1969-04-04 | 2 | 38°43'N / 93°59'W | 0.30 Mile | 150 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Johnson | |
| 47.4 | 1982-05-14 | 2 | 38°50'N / 92°44'W | 1.00 Mile | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Cooper | |
| 47.5 | 1968-05-15 | 2 | 38°55'N / 93°41'W | 38°56'N / 93°38'W | 1.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Johnson |
| 47.6 | 1968-05-15 | 2 | 38°53'N / 93°46'W | 38°55'N / 93°41'W | 4.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Johnson |
| 48.4 | 1958-06-13 | 2 | 38°59'N / 93°36'W | 38°57'N / 93°32'W | 4.10 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lafayette |
| 48.7 | 1982-03-15 | 3 | 37°47'N / 94°03'W | 37°54'N / 93°53'W | 14.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 1 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Cedar |
| 48.8 | 1968-05-15 | 2 | 38°56'N / 93°38'W | 39°00'N / 93°33'W | 5.90 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Johnson |
| 48.9 | 1986-10-03 | 2 | 38°22'N / 92°25'W | 38°24'N / 92°22'W | 3.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Cole |
| 49.0 | 1956-12-04 | 2 | 38°20'N / 94°14'W | 38°21'N / 94°09'W | 4.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Bates |
| 49.8 | 1958-09-16 | 2 | 37°48'N / 93°59'W | 37°50'N / 93°57'W | 2.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cedar |
* 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.