Anderson County, Texas

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 48001 · population 57,845 · 1,063 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 737 records for Anderson County, Texas from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 472 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (241 records). The deadliest day on its record was April 29, 2016: flash flood records filed for Anderson County that day count 6 deaths across 2 records. FEMA has issued 31 declarations naming the county since 1966, 28 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Beryl” on July 9, 2024.

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
737on 472 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
1398 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$124Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
35strongest F3
FEMA declarations
31latest 2024

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 Anderson County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 241 since 1959. The rank column places the county among Texas's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.

Anderson County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 241 163 1959-2026 2 2 $4.1M 66 of 254
Hail 224 125 1955-2026 0 0 $348K 133 of 254
Drought 67 66 1996-2026 0 0 $3.0M 168 of 254
Floods 60 39 1997-2025 8 0 $4.4M 132 of 254
Heat 49 47 1998-2026 0 0 – 77 of 254
Tornadoes 35 29 1953-2025 2 88 $83M 152 of 254
Winter storms 24 24 1996-2026 1 4 $25M 160 of 254
Wildfires 10 8 2011-2018 0 1 $1.7M 64 of 254
Lightning 8 7 1999-2012 0 2 $1.0M 44 of 254
Extreme cold 7 7 2019-2026 0 0 $926K 126 of 254
Heavy rain 6 6 1997-1998 0 1 $7K 60 of 254
High wind and dust storms 4 4 2006-2008 0 0 $287K 132 of 254
Hurricanes and tropical storms 2 2 2005-2008 0 0 $142K 68 of 254

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 Anderson County had?

NOAA records 35 tornadoes in Anderson County from 1953 to 2025, the strongest rated F3, with 2 deaths and 88 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 36 tornadoes whose track touched Anderson County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 35: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 2 people.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Anderson County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1987-11-15 15:03, as SPC files itPalestineF310.5 mi1
1987-03-17 05:20, as SPC files itUnnamedF10.2 mi1
1981-05-09 14:10, as SPC files itUnnamedF315 mi0
1974-10-31 08:50, as SPC files itElkhartF32 mi0
1955-04-12 11:30, as SPC files itFrankston to BerryvilleF35.6 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Texas.

Every tornado record filed for Anderson County (35)
Every tornado recorded in Anderson County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2025-05-06 Frankston, Anderson County EF0 4.83 mi x 300 yd 0 1 $50K
2008-10-06 Tennessee Colony, Anderson County EF0 6.95 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $75K
2006-12-29 Palestine, Anderson County F1 4 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $293K
2006-12-29 Palestine, Anderson County F1 11.26 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $44K
2006-12-29 Bethel, Anderson County F0 6.74 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $15K
2002-03-30 Elkhart, Anderson County F0 0.1 mi x 30 yd 0 0 –
1999-05-04 Palestine, Anderson County F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd 0 0 –
1999-05-04 Tennessee Colony, Anderson County F1 1 mi x 150 yd 0 4 $531K
1999-04-26 Palestine, Anderson County F0 0.1 mi x 0 yd 0 0 $9K
1999-04-26 Tennessee Colony, Anderson County F0 1 mi x 0 yd 0 1 $53K
1997-01-23 Elkhart, Anderson County F1 1 mi x 30 yd 0 4 $92K
1996-04-28 Montalba, Anderson County F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
1994-11-04 Cayuga, Anderson County F1 1.5 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $995K
1993-05-09 Frankston, Anderson County F1 2 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $1.0M
1991-11-19 Anderson County F1 0.1 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $25K step
1990-04-27 Anderson County F1 0.2 mi x 10 yd 0 0 –
1989-05-17 Anderson County F1 0.2 mi x 10 yd 0 0 –
1988-04-01 Anderson County F1 4 mi x 100 yd 0 1 $250K step
1987-12-06 Anderson County F1 11.5 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $250K step
1987-11-15 Anderson County F3 10.5 mi x 250 yd 1 59 $25M step
1987-03-17 Anderson County F1 0.2 mi x 10 yd 1 3 $25K step
1984-05-02 Anderson County F0 0 0 –
1984-02-11 Anderson County F2 1 mi x 100 yd 0 3 $2.5M step
1981-05-09 Anderson County F2 9.9 mi x 73 yd 0 0 $25K step
1981-05-09 Anderson County F3 9.9 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $250K step
1980-10-16 Anderson County F2 2 mi x 50 yd 0 1 $25K step
1979-06-06 Anderson County F1 6.2 mi x 73 yd 0 0 $25K step
1978-05-11 Anderson County 0 0 $3K step
1974-10-31 Anderson County F1 0 0 $25K step
1974-10-31 Anderson County F3 2 mi x 500 yd 0 4 –
1973-06-03 Anderson County F1 0 0 $250K step
1964-08-24 Anderson County F1 3.6 mi x 880 yd 0 0 $25K step
1955-04-12 Anderson County F3 5.6 mi x 300 yd 0 7 $250K step
1954-08-31 Anderson County F1 0.5 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $25K step
1953-11-19 Anderson County F2 5.6 mi x 50 yd 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 Anderson County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 2, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($5,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The 12 most recent records kept for Anderson County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-18 HeatAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson 0 0 –
2026-06-02 Thunderstorm WindTennessee Colony, Anderson County 49 kt wind 0 0 $5K
2026-06-01 DroughtAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson 0 0 –
2026-05-01 DroughtAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson 0 0 –
2026-04-29 HailTucker, Anderson County 1.25 in hail 0 0 –
2026-04-25 Thunderstorm WindKossuth, Anderson County 55 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-04-01 DroughtAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson 0 0 $10K
2026-03-01 DroughtAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson 0 0 –
2026-01-24 Extreme Cold/Wind ChillAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson 0 0 –
2026-01-24 Winter StormAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson 0 0 –
2025-11-20 Thunderstorm WindPalestine, Anderson County 55 kt wind 0 0 –
2025-08-15 HeatAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson 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 Anderson County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2016-04-29 Flash FloodPalestine, Anderson County Significant and deadly flash flooding happened on Timber Drive in Palestine after 7.5 of water fell in one hour. A family of 5 died in this location while drying to escape the flood waters. Six of 10 homes on the cul-de-sac were completely destroyed by flood waters. Some residents had to be rescued from the roofs of ... 5 0 $984K
2023-05-04 Thunderstorm WindFrankston, Anderson County Tree and roof damage was reported throughout the Frankston area. The roof of a restaurant was also damaged including loss of shingles, partial decking removal and collapse of portions of the awning. One tree fell onto a manufactured house, killing two adults in the home. A post event assessment determined 70-90 mph ... 75 kt wind 2 0 $484K
1987-11-15 TornadoAnderson County F3 10.5 mi x 250 yd 1 59 $25M step
1987-03-17 TornadoAnderson County F1 0.2 mi x 10 yd 1 3 $25K step
2016-06-13 Flash FloodTennessee Colony, Anderson County Numerous FM and County Roads closed due to flooding. FM 321 was partially washed out in Tennessee Colony. One man was killed when he lost control of his car in high water on his way to work. 1 0 $18K
2016-04-30 Flash FloodPalestine, Anderson County Nearly 7.5 of rain fell over Palestine in about one hour causing flooding across the city. Cars were flooded in downtown Palestine. Newspapers also reported that businesses and homes in low-lying areas across the city were flooded and damaged. A total of 35 homes sustained major damage and 3 businesses in Old Town ... 1 0 $1.2M
2016-04-29 Flash FloodDeanwright, Anderson County A 30 year old male died in flood waters on Anderson County Road 370. 1 0 –
2010-02-23 Heavy SnowAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson Four to six inches of snow fell across Anderson County. A NASA meteorologist recorded the highest amount of 6 inches at the Palestine upper air balloon facility. Several roads across the county were temporarily impassible as the snow was falling, but crews from TXDOT were able to treat the roadways and the roads were ... 1 0 $338K

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 Anderson County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2003-02-24 Winter StormAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson 0 0 $24M
2010-06-09 Flash FloodElkhart, Anderson County 0 0 $1.4M
2016-04-30 Flash FloodPalestine, Anderson County 1 0 $1.2M
1993-05-09 TornadoFrankston, Anderson County F1 2 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $1.0M
1994-11-04 TornadoCayuga, Anderson County F1 1.5 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $995K
2011-08-15 WildfireAnderson County · forecast zone Anderson 0 1 $984K
2016-04-29 Flash FloodPalestine, Anderson County 5 0 $984K
1996-11-07 Thunderstorm WindPalestine, Anderson County 0 0 $941K

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 $25M, in the dollars of the day) holds: November 15, 1987 (tornado, Anderson County, 1 killed).

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 Anderson 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).

Anderson County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind2572668554731
Hail2012553475739
Drought––––2143417
Floods––––13141914
Heat––––23737 z
Tornadoes3151010501

Heat in the 2020-26: 37 records against 7 in the decade before, 37 of them forecast-zone records. Cells marked z rose mostly through zone records. The local National Weather Service office files these once per forecast zone, so a change in how it draws its zones or splits a storm into records moves this count as much as the weather does; read it beside the Anderson County days with a record above.

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 Anderson County. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 51 · Feb 45 · Mar 53 · Apr 125 · May 112 · Jun 88 · Jul 57 · Aug 55 · Sep 25 · Oct 51 · Nov 42 · Dec 33 (records).

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

Federal disaster declarations for Anderson County

FEMA's register lists 31 declarations that include Anderson County: 20 major disasters, 11 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (7) and fire (6).

Declarations including Anderson County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2024-07-09DR-4798HurricaneHurricane Beryl
2024-05-17DR-4781FloodSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2023-04-21DR-4705Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2021-02-19DR-4586Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storms
2021-02-14EM-3554Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm
2020-08-24EM-3540HurricaneTropical Storms Marco and Laura
2020-03-25DR-4485BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3458BiologicalCovid-19
2016-04-25DR-4269FloodSevere Storms and Flooding
2011-09-09DR-4029FireWildfires
2011-07-01DR-1999FireWildfires
2008-09-13DR-1791HurricaneHurricane Ike
2008-09-10EM-3294HurricaneHurricane Ike
2008-03-14EM-3284FireWildfires
2007-06-29DR-1709Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2006-01-11DR-1624FireExtreme Wildfire Threat
2005-09-24DR-1606HurricaneHurricane Rita
2005-09-21EM-3261HurricaneHurricane Rita
2005-09-02EM-3216HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2003-02-01EM-3171OtherLoss of the Space Shuttle Columbia
2001-06-09DR-1379Coastal StormTx-Tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001
1999-09-01EM-3142FireExtreme Fire Hazards
1998-08-26DR-1239Severe StormTropical Storm Charley
1996-02-23EM-3117FireExtreme Fire Hazard
1993-09-10EM-3113DroughtExtreme Fire Hazard
1991-12-26DR-930FloodSevere Thunderstorms
1990-05-02DR-863Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding
1989-05-19DR-828Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding
1987-11-20DR-802TornadoSevere Storms & Tornadoes
1974-11-30DR-454FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1966-05-12DR-218FloodSevere Storms & Flooding

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 Anderson County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 60 flood or flash flood records for Anderson County from 1997 to 2025, on 39 days, with 8 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Anderson County ranks 2105th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $293,000 on 19 claims filed in Anderson County; the most in one year was 7 in 2016. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1995: 1 · 1996: 1 · 1998: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2016: 7 · 2019: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2025: 2; 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 Anderson County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Anderson County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $23.2 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 Anderson County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
TornadoRelatively High$6.3Mabout once a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively High$1.2M3.1 a year (modeled)
Ice StormRelatively High$358K1.1 a year (modeled)
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$3.2Monce in about 2 years (modeled)
LightningRelatively Moderate$508K59 a year (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively Moderate$69K2.9 a year (modeled)
Heat WaveRelatively Low$996K15 modeled event-days a year
WildfireRelatively Low$244Konce in about 584 years (modeled)

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

Counties that share a border with Anderson County

  1. Cherokee County 752
  2. Anderson County 737
  3. Henderson County 685
  4. Leon County 458
  5. Houston County 414
  6. Freestone County 391

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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