Shippensburg, PA Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Shippensburg is about the same as Pennsylvania average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Shippensburg is about the same as Pennsylvania average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #1167
| Shippensburg, PA | 0.04 |
| Pennsylvania | 0.17 |
| 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
| Shippensburg, PA | 0.0000 |
| Pennsylvania | 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, #1225
| Shippensburg, PA | 108.28 |
| Pennsylvania | 109.77 |
| 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 3,523 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Shippensburg, PA 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: | 3 | Cold: | 28 | Dense Fog: | 17 | Drought: | 21 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 512 | Hail: | 539 | Heat: | 50 | Heavy Snow: | 58 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 20 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 72 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,890 | Tropical Storm: | 2 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 62 | Winter Weather: | 48 |
| Other: | 200 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Shippensburg, PA.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Shippensburg, PA.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Shippensburg, PA.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 36 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Shippensburg, PA.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 0.3 | 1961-04-16 | 3 | 40°03'N / 77°31'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cumberland | |||
| 16.5 | 1976-03-21 | 2 | 39°56'N / 77°15'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Adams | |
| 22.0 | 1989-06-20 | 2 | 40°22'N / 77°30'W | 2.00 Miles | 23 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Perry | |
| 25.4 | 1955-08-19 | 2 | 40°24'N / 77°23'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Chester | |||
| 25.5 | 1980-06-07 | 2 | 40°01'N / 77°04'W | 40°02'N / 77°01'W | 2.30 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Adams |
| 27.1 | 1954-04-25 | 2 | 39°50'N / 77°14'W | 39°48'N / 76°59'W | 13.30 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Adams |
| 27.9 | 1980-06-07 | 3 | 39°56'N / 77°01'W | 1.50 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Adams | |
| 28.3 | 1983-05-22 | 3 | 39°42'N / 77°15'W | 39°42'N / 77°14'W | 1.00 Mile | 37 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Frederick |
| 28.5 | 1980-06-07 | 2 | 40°02'N / 77°01'W | 40°02'N / 76°57'W | 3.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | York |
| 28.5 | 1983-05-22 | 3 | 39°42'N / 77°14'W | 39°43'N / 77°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 37 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Carroll |
| 30.6 | 1992-10-09 | 2 | 40°07'N / 76°57'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | York | |
| 31.1 | 1967-09-21 | 2 | 40°25'N / 77°11'W | 0.10 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Perry | |
| 32.8 | 1978-08-28 | 2 | 39°48'N / 77°02'W | 39°45'N / 77°00'W | 3.30 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Adams |
| 35.0 | 1985-07-31 | 2 | 40°10'N / 76°54'W | 40°09'N / 76°51'W | 3.00 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Lancaster |
| 35.6 | 1978-08-28 | 2 | 39°45'N / 77°00'W | 39°43'N / 76°59'W | 1.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | York |
| 35.7 | 2001-09-24 | 2 | 39°44'N / 76°59'W | 39°48'N / 76°56'W | 5.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 900K | 0 | York |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down near Grand Valley Road at 17:33 EST about 5 miles South of Hanover PA. The tornado proceded northward, through Parkville then lifting to the north of Blooming Grove at 17:40 EST. The path of the tornado was about 5 miles in length but not always on the ground while the width varied from 50 to 200 yards. The top wind speeds were estimated at 110 to 120 mph. There were no injuries or deaths. Significant damage included 8 homes with roofs torn off, brick and structural damage to several additional homes, 50 to 75 trees knocked down, 38 cars damaged at a car dealership, significant roof and water damage to a middle school and administration building, and significant structural damage to a store complex northwest of Blooming Grove. | |||||||||||
| 36.6 | 1990-06-08 | 2 | 39°49'N / 76°54'W | 1.00 Mile | 60 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | York | |
| 37.6 | 1952-04-05 | 3 | 39°48'N / 76°59'W | 39°57'N / 76°43'W | 17.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | York |
| 38.9 | 1977-04-05 | 2 | 40°15'N / 76°50'W | 2.00 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Dauphin | |
| 39.3 | 1952-07-23 | 2 | 40°37'N / 77°34'W | 0 | 4 | 25K | 0 | Mifflin | |||
| 42.4 | 1979-05-23 | 2 | 39°35'N / 77°00'W | 2.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Carroll | |
| 42.6 | 1970-03-26 | 2 | 40°16'N / 76°46'W | 2.50 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Dauphin | |
| 42.9 | 1989-11-20 | 2 | 40°37'N / 77°49'W | 40°39'N / 77°47'W | 3.50 Miles | 1230 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Huntingdon |
| 43.2 | 1956-06-13 | 2 | 39°57'N / 76°43'W | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | York | |||
| 43.5 | 1969-07-27 | 2 | 40°04'N / 76°42'W | 0.30 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | York | |
| 44.0 | 1963-03-27 | 2 | 40°00'N / 76°51'W | 40°03'N / 76°32'W | 17.00 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | York |
| 44.0 | 1978-08-28 | 2 | 39°43'N / 76°59'W | 39°34'N / 76°47'W | 14.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Frederick |
| 45.0 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 39°24'N / 77°33'W | 39°24'N / 77°39'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 5K | 0 | Frederick |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado touched down in far northwest Frederick County, on the northwest edge of Catoctin Mountain Park. A thickly forested stand of hardwood trees was snapped off above the bases. | |||||||||||
| 45.3 | 1991-05-06 | 2 | 40°05'N / 76°40'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Lancaster | |
| 45.7 | 1978-07-31 | 2 | 39°24'N / 77°21'W | 1.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Frederick | |
| 46.2 | 1991-09-18 | 2 | 40°40'N / 77°49'W | 40°42'N / 77°47'W | 4.00 Miles | 330 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Huntingdon |
| 47.2 | 1967-10-18 | 2 | 40°13'N / 76°45'W | 40°19'N / 76°36'W | 10.20 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 11 | 250K | 0 | Dauphin |
| 48.0 | 1996-07-19 | 2 | 39°23'N / 77°42'W | 39°21'N / 77°42'W | 2.00 Miles | 125 Yards | 0 | 0 | 400K | 75K | Washington |
| Brief Description: A moderate tornado (F2) tracked between two mountain ridges in extreme southern Washington Co, knocking down hundreds of trees, including several onto homes which caused substantial damage. At least one barn was completely destroyed in Yarrowsburg. The storm attained maximum strength just south of town (where the trees, including numerous hardwoods, were flattened). The tornado weakened considerably before dissipating along the eastern ridge. Structural and vehicle damage, though not as prevalent as the tree damage, included the following: Portions of roofs from two barns were blown off; minor residential damage, including shattered windows, unhinged shingles, and torn off trim/gutters. Some gravestones were overturned by the winds, and several power lines were knocked down. Several vehicles and vehicle windows were damaged. | |||||||||||
| 48.2 | 1980-04-09 | 2 | 40°44'N / 77°19'W | 40°43'N / 77°17'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Snyder | ||
| 48.4 | 1970-07-02 | 2 | 40°09'N / 76°37'W | 1.00 Mile | 1760 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lancaster | |
| 48.5 | 1996-07-19 | 3 | 39°30'N / 76°59'W | 39°29'N / 76°57'W | 2.20 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 3 | 5.0M | 20K | Carroll |
| Brief Description: One of the most potent tornadoes in recorded history in the state of Maryland tracked for 2 and 1/4 miles through the Mystic Kane and Four Seasons subdivisions just off state route 32 northwest of Gamber. The tornado was a strong F3 (180 mph estimated winds) with multiple vortices. Homes and trees struck by individual vortices sustained the worst damage. There were several eyewitness accounts of the tornado/funnel cloud shortly before touchdown. In all, 66 structures sustained damage. Twelve single-family homes were destroyed, five which lost most of the second story and garages. Three persons were injured. Two children were injured when the tornado blew them out of the second level of one of the homes. Their father suffered cuts and bruises when a wall partially collapsed on him while he was trying the rescue the children. Another dozen homes were deemed temporarily uninhabitable with substantial roof and siding damage. An additional 37 homes, a couple of apartments, and another barn received some damage. Many material items were sucked out of the homes, from bicycles to jewelry. Several automobiles were damaged by fallen and/or flying debris. Debris littered the ground for miles. A barn along route 32 was completely destroyed, and pieces of it were found as far away as 3.5 miles to the southeast of the barn's original location. Dozens of trees were snapped, shredded, debarked, and uprooted. Corn stalks were sucked up leaving six inch stubs as the tornado crossed a field west of route 32. A corn stalk was embedded into the wall of a house 1/2 mile away from the stalk's original location. Numerous airborne missiles (large and small) were generated, puncturing holes into homes and becoming embedded into the ground. A refrigerator was found wrapped around a mailbox. A van was dragged 50 feet, then flipped over two times. Other vehicles were also damaged. | |||||||||||
* 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.