Adams County, Mississippi

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 28001 · population 29,474 · 462 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 453 records for Adams County, Mississippi from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 335 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (241 records). The deadliest single record is the October 26, 2025 flash flood: 1 death, 1 injury and $2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 27 declarations naming the county since 1965, 25 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on February 6, 2026.

The record, 1950 to 2026

Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).

  • recorded, no damage figure
  • under $100,000
  • $100,000 or more
  • $1 million or more
  • $10 million or more, or a death
  • $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
  • a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
  • a year with a death
  • 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
  • 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
Storm records
453on 335 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
457 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$282Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
20strongest EF2
FEMA declarations
27latest 2026

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.

What hazards hit Adams County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 241 since 1957. The rank column places the county among Mississippi's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.

Adams County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 241 191 1957-2026 1 9 $63M 15 of 82
Hail 75 60 1961-2026 0 0 $709K 39 of 82
Floods 45 40 1997-2026 1 1 $12M 17 of 82
High wind and dust storms 22 21 1996-2025 0 0 $430K 3 of 82
Tornadoes 20 17 1950-2022 0 44 $14M 65 of 82
Winter storms 20 20 1996-2026 0 0 $2.1M 31 of 82
Drought 9 9 2006-2026 0 0 $3.2M 64 of 82
Hurricanes and tropical storms 8 8 2002-2021 0 3 $186M 14 of 82
Heat 5 5 2000-2010 1 0 – 43 of 82
Heavy rain 4 2 2010-2010 0 0 – 10 of 82
Extreme cold 2 2 2010-2026 1 0 $474K 45 of 82
Lightning 2 2 2007-2010 0 0 $219K 44 of 82

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.

How many tornadoes has Adams County had?

NOAA records 20 tornadoes in Adams County from 1950 to 2022, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 44 injuries recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.

Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 20 tornadoes whose track touched Adams County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 20, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Mississippi.

Every tornado record filed for Adams County (20)
Every tornado recorded in Adams County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2022-12-14 Cranfield, Adams County EF1 5.19 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $76K
2018-11-01 Natchez, Adams County EF2 0.99 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $588K
2018-11-01 Sibley, Adams County EF1 4.98 mi x 250 yd 0 0 $588K
2017-04-30 Linwood, Adams County EF2 3.44 mi x 440 yd 0 0 $482K
2013-09-20 Kingston, Adams County EF2 1.21 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $158K
2013-09-20 Leesdale, Adams County EF1 0.32 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $3K
2009-03-27 Natchez, Adams County EF0 3.55 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $1K
2008-12-09 Natchez, Adams County EF1 3.07 mi x 800 yd 0 0 $3.4M
2006-05-10 Pine Ridge, Adams County F0 3 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2005-03-26 Pine Ridge, Adams County F1 3 mi x 75 yd 0 0 $38K
2005-03-26 Natchez, Adams County F1 7 mi x 75 yd 0 0 $181K
1995-04-20 Sibley, Adams County F0 1 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $6K
1987-11-16 Adams County F1 0.5 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $3K step
1987-03-17 Adams County F1 5 mi x 100 yd 0 4 $2.5M step
1982-04-03 Adams County F2 0 40 $250 step
1976-06-29 Adams County F2 1 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $25K step
1975-06-10 Adams County F1 0.3 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $3K step
1975-05-07 Adams County F1 0.2 mi x 60 yd 0 0 $25K step
1975-01-10 Adams County F1 11.9 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $250K step
1950-05-01 Adams County 0 0 $25K step

A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.

When was the last damaging storm in Adams County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 11, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($5,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The 12 most recent records kept for Adams County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-05-23 Thunderstorm WindNatchez, Adams County 52 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-05-23 Thunderstorm WindJohnsville, Adams County 52 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-05-01 DroughtAdams County · forecast zone Adams 0 0 –
2026-04-29 Thunderstorm WindJohnsville, Adams County 52 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-04-28 HailLeesdale, Adams County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-04-28 Flash FloodLeesdale, Adams County 0 0 –
2026-04-28 HailLeesdale, Adams County 1.50 in hail 0 0 –
2026-03-16 SleetAdams County · forecast zone Adams 0 0 –
2026-03-11 Thunderstorm WindJohnsville, Adams County 52 kt wind 0 0 $5K
2026-02-14 Thunderstorm WindSibley, Adams County 52 kt wind 0 0 $10K
2026-01-25 Extreme Cold/Wind ChillAdams County · forecast zone Adams 1 0 –
2026-01-25 Ice StormAdams County · forecast zone Adams 0 0 –

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.

The deadliest and costliest records

Records with deaths or injuries in Adams County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2025-10-26 Flash FloodNatchez, Adams County Flood water covered N Canal Street and entered at least three businesses in Natchez including the Natchez Democrat, Blankensteins Supplies and Equipment, and the Natchez Convention Center. Two adults were swept off their feet by flood water near the intersection of Aldrich St. and Brenham Avenue. One of them, a 42 ... 1 1 $2K
2024-12-28 Thunderstorm WindNatchez, Adams County A large tree was blown down on a home on Westwood Road causing a fatality and additionally an injury. Other scattered downed trees were down across town. 52 kt wind 1 1 $141K
2026-01-25 Extreme Cold/Wind ChillAdams County · forecast zone Adams Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th. A 71 year old male died due to a house fire. 1 0 –
2000-07-14 HeatAdams County · forecast zone Adams 1 0 –
1982-04-03 TornadoAdams County F2 0 40 $250 step
1998-02-26 Thunderstorm WindNatchez, Adams County An intense line of thunderstorms or bow echo configuration moved across the Mississippi River and struck the city of Natchez. Strong outflow from the bow echo produced estimated winds of 80 to 100 miles an hour in the city. These strong winds damaged many of the historic buildings and peeled roofs off of many of the ... 0 4 $54M
1987-03-17 TornadoAdams County F1 5 mi x 100 yd 0 4 $2.5M step
2004-06-27 Thunderstorm WindNatchez, Adams County A few trees were blown down. One large tree fell on a house and injured 3 people. 53 kt wind 0 3 $39K

A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.

The costliest records in Adams County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1998-02-26 Thunderstorm WindNatchez, Adams County 0 4 $54M
2009-05-03 Thunderstorm WindNatchez, Adams County 78 kt wind 0 0 $3.9M
2008-09-01 Tropical StormAdams County · forecast zone Adams 0 0 $3.6M
2008-12-09 TornadoNatchez, Adams County EF1 3.07 mi x 800 yd 0 0 $3.4M
2023-11-01 DroughtAdams County · forecast zone Adams 0 0 $2.0M
2010-08-18 Flash FloodSibley, Adams County 0 0 $1.4M
2011-05-09 FloodPine Ridge, Adams County 0 0 $866K
2018-11-01 TornadoNatchez, Adams County EF2 0.99 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $588K

Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: March 17, 1987 (tornado, Adams County).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.

Is it getting more frequent?

Records per decade for Adams County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).

Adams County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind24141028706944
Hail020621231112
Floods––––314217
High wind and dust storms––––36112
Tornadoes10431551
Winter storms––––1388

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).

What time of year?

Records by month in Adams County. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 35 · Feb 37 · Mar 60 · Apr 67 · May 59 · Jun 37 · Jul 29 · Aug 40 · Sep 20 · Oct 18 · Nov 23 · Dec 28 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Adams County

FEMA's register lists 27 declarations that include Adams County: 18 major disasters, 9 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (11) and severe storm (6).

Declarations including Adams County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2026-02-06DR-4899Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2026-01-24EM-3640Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2023-08-12DR-4727Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes.
2021-10-22DR-4626HurricaneHurricane Ida
2021-08-28EM-3569HurricaneHurricane Ida
2021-05-04DR-4598Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storms
2020-10-08EM-3548HurricaneHurricane Delta
2020-09-14EM-3544HurricaneHurricane Sally
2020-08-23EM-3539HurricaneHurricane Marco and Tropical Storm Laura
2020-04-05DR-4528BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3474BiologicalCovid-19
2017-05-22DR-4314Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2012-08-29DR-4081HurricaneHurricane Isaac
2011-05-11DR-1983FloodFlooding
2011-05-04EM-3320FloodFlooding
2008-09-22DR-1794HurricaneHurricane Gustav
2008-08-30EM-3291HurricaneHurricane Gustav
2005-08-29DR-1604HurricaneHurricane Katrina
2004-09-15DR-1550HurricaneHurricane Ivan
1991-03-05DR-895FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1990-02-28DR-859Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding
1980-04-19DR-618Severe StormStorms, Flood, Mudslides & Tornadoes
1979-04-16DR-577Severe StormStorms, Tornadoes, Floods
1977-02-22EM-3032SnowstormDrought & Freezing
1974-04-18DR-430FloodHeavy Rains & Flooding
1973-03-27DR-368Severe StormHeavy Rains, Tornadoes & Flooding
1965-09-25DR-210HurricaneHurricane Betsy

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.

How many floods has Adams County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 45 flood or flash flood records for Adams County from 1997 to 2026, on 40 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Adams County ranks 976th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

Named storms on Adams County's flood and tropical record
StormBeganRecordsDeaths in the county
Hurricane Delta2020-10-0910
Hurricane Isaac2012-08-2910
Hurricane Gustav2008-09-0120
Hurricane Katrina2005-08-2920

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.4 million on 187 claims filed in Adams County; the most in one year was 55 in 1979. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1978: 6 · 1979: 55 · 1980: 14 · 1982: 7 · 1983: 21 · 1984: 13 · 1985: 4 · 1989: 4 · 1991: 4 · 1993: 2 · 1994: 2 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 2 · 1999: 1 · 2000: 1 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 5 · 2008: 1 · 2011: 29 · 2012: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2025: 1; the other years: 0.

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.

FEMA's modeled risk for Adams County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Adams County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $12.5 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.

National Risk Index ratings for Adams County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
Heat WaveRelatively Moderate$1.3M16 modeled event-days a year
TornadoRelatively Moderate$2.8Monce in about 2 years (modeled)
Ice StormRelatively Moderate$104Kabout once a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$488K2.2 a year (modeled)
HurricaneRelatively Low$657Konce in about 9 years (modeled)
LandslideRelatively Low$5Konce in about 2 years (modeled)
HailRelatively Low$382K2.5 a year (modeled)
Riverine FloodingRelatively Low$5.6M1.4 a year (modeled)

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.

Counties that share a border with Adams County

  1. Adams County 453
  2. Tensas Parish, LA 367
  3. Concordia Parish, LA 363
  4. Jefferson County 341
  5. Franklin County 328
  6. Wilkinson County 174

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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