Bedford County, Virginia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 51019 · population 79,441 · 760 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 839 records for Bedford County, Virginia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 486 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (374 records). The deadliest single record is the June 12, 2026 strong wind, filed for the forecast zone Bedford, which covers the county: 1 death, 22 injuries and $15,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 28 declarations naming the county since 1969, 26 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on January 23, 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
- 839on 486 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 527 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $37Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 12strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 28latest 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 Bedford County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 374 since 1961. 52% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1961 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Virginia's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 374 | 219 | 1961-2026 | 0 | 0 | $6.3M | 54 of 96 |
| Hail | 183 | 108 | 1975-2026 | 0 | 0 | $164K | 19 of 96 |
| Floods | 81 | 48 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.5M | 71 of 96 |
| Winter storms | 73 | 72 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 0 | $360K | 92 of 96 |
| High wind and dust storms | 41 | 41 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 22 | $1.6M | 38 of 96 |
| Lightning | 22 | 20 | 1997-2025 | 1 | 1 | $586K | 12 of 96 |
| Drought | 19 | 19 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 0 | $17M | 42 of 96 |
| Heavy rain | 19 | 15 | 2016-2023 | 0 | 0 | $7K | 64 of 96 |
| Tornadoes | 12 | 10 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 4 | $8.7M | 60 of 96 |
| Extreme cold | 10 | 9 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | 55 of 96 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 2 | 2 | 2018-2021 | 0 | 0 | $5K | 10 of 96 |
| Heat | 1 | 1 | 2012-2012 | 1 | 0 | – | 71 of 96 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 1 | 1 | 2020-2020 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 75 of 96 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2023-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 19 of 96 |
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 Bedford County had?
NOAA records 12 tornadoes in Bedford County from 1996 to 2024, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 4 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 12 tornadoes whose track touched Bedford County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 12, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Virginia.
Every tornado record filed for Bedford County (12)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-27 | Bedford City, Bedford County | EF1 1.24 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $107K |
| 2022-05-27 | Goode, Bedford County | EF2 6.3 mi x 330 yd | 0 | 3 | $933K |
| 2019-04-19 | Thaxton, Bedford County | EF1 2.22 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $87K |
| 2018-05-19 | Bedford City, Bedford County | EF1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $29K |
| 2018-04-15 | Chamblissburg, Bedford County | EF1 0.7 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $235K |
| 2017-05-05 | Moneta, Bedford County | EF0 0.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $18K |
| 2004-09-17 | Stewartsville, Bedford County | F2 3 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2002-04-28 | Bedford City, Bedford County | F2 5 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 1 | $4.9M |
| 2002-04-28 | Bedford City, Bedford County | F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.0M |
| 1996-07-15 | Bedford County | F2 0.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $263K |
| 1996-07-15 | Stewartsville, Bedford County | F1 0.1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $169K |
| 1996-06-09 | Shady Grove, Bedford County | F1 1 mi x 15 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
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 Bedford County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 12, 2026 thunderstorm wind.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-12 | Thunderstorm WindForest, Bedford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-12 | Strong WindBedford County · forecast zone Bedford | 43 kt wind | 1 | 22 | $15K |
| 2026-06-12 | Thunderstorm WindForest, Bedford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindBedford City, Bedford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindThaxton, Bedford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindChamblissburg, Bedford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindChamblissburg, Bedford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-11 | HailStewartsville, Bedford County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindHuddleston, Bedford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtBedford County · forecast zone Bedford | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-21 | Thunderstorm WindForest, Bedford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-05-21 | Thunderstorm WindGoode, Bedford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
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
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-12 | Strong WindBedford County · forecast zone Bedford Strong outflow winds from nearby thunderstorms spread across much of Bedford County. A tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds at Harbor Village Way. Strong winds lifted a large tent into the air at a church in the town of Moneta. Parts of the tent, including the anchoring posts, passed across a congregation of ... | 43 kt wind | 1 | 22 | $15K |
| 2016-07-14 | LightningStone Mt, Bedford County A man was struck by lightning while walking along Highway 122. He later died from his injuries. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2016-01-20 | Winter WeatherBedford County · forecast zone Bedford A muti-vehicle crash occurred around the 100 block of Bunker Hill Road in Bedford County on the evening of January 20th. This three vehicle accident resulted in one fatality. Lynchburg department of Emergency services also reported a total of 18 crashes that occured between 5pm and 7pm on that day. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2012-07-01 | HeatBedford County · forecast zone Bedford A 57-year old man died of a heart attack that may have been related to the heat. No autopsy was performed so no conclusive evidence exists as to the cause of death. This was the 4th consecutive day of record or near-record heat in the county. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1996-02-02 | Heavy SnowBedford County · forecast zone Bedford | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2022-05-27 | TornadoGoode, Bedford County An EF-2 tornado with max winds of 135 mph touchdown 0.4 miles southeast of Norwood before heading north northeast toward U.S Highway 221. The tornado crossed Bethany Church Road and Langford Lane where two mobile homes were destroyed. The tornado then continued northeast snapping and uprooting trees just west of the ... | EF2 6.3 mi x 330 yd | 0 | 3 | $933K |
| 2022-06-08 | LightningPeaksville, Bedford County A hiker was injured when he was struck by lightning at Sharp Top Mountain. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2002-04-28 | TornadoBedford City, Bedford County A second tornado developed 8 miles east-southeast of Bedford City in Bedford County and remained on the ground for 5 miles before crossing over into Campbell County. This tornado injured one person, destroyed seven homes, three businesses, and about two dozen farm buildings. The tornado damaged about 129 other homes, ... | F2 5 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 1 | $4.9M |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-10-01 | DroughtBedford County · forecast zone Bedford | 0 | 0 | $10M | |
| 2007-09-01 | DroughtBedford County · forecast zone Bedford | 0 | 0 | $5.7M | |
| 2010-09-22 | Thunderstorm WindMoneta, Bedford County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2.7M |
| 2002-04-28 | TornadoBedford City, Bedford County | F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.0M |
| 2007-04-09 | Frost/FreezeBedford County · forecast zone Bedford | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 2022-05-27 | TornadoGoode, Bedford County | EF2 6.3 mi x 330 yd | 0 | 3 | $933K |
| 1996-09-06 | Flash FloodCountywide, Bedford County | 0 | 0 | $753K | |
| 2001-01-10 | High WindBedford County · forecast zone Bedford | 0 | 0 | $667K |
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 Bedford 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).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 22 | 88 | 163 | 90 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 26 | 59 | 72 | 21 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 13 | 18 | 34 | 16 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 10 | 26 | 26 | 11 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 1 | 17 | 16 | 7 |
| Lightning | – | – | – | – | 1 | 2 | 9 | 10 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
52% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1961 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 40 · Feb 44 · Mar 23 · Apr 63 · May 122 · Jun 166 · Jul 161 · Aug 103 · Sep 56 · Oct 11 · Nov 15 · Dec 35 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Bedford County
FEMA's register lists 28 declarations that include Bedford County: 19 major disasters, 9 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (6) and hurricane (6).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-23 | EM-3631 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2025-04-04 | DR-4863 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 2024-10-01 | DR-4831 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| 2024-09-29 | EM-3621 | Tropical Storm | Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene |
| 2021-05-10 | DR-4602 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 2020-04-02 | DR-4512 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3448 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-09-11 | EM-3403 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2012-10-29 | EM-3359 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2012-07-27 | DR-4072 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2010-02-16 | DR-1874 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2005-09-12 | EM-3240 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2003-09-18 | DR-1491 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| 2002-05-05 | DR-1411 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2000-02-28 | DR-1318 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 1996-09-06 | DR-1135 | Hurricane | Hurricane Fran and Associated Severe Storm Cond |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1086 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) |
| 1995-07-01 | DR-1059 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1994-04-11 | DR-1021 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Ice Storm |
| 1994-03-10 | DR-1014 | Snowstorm | Severe Ice Storms, Flooding |
| 1993-03-25 | EM-3112 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 1992-05-19 | DR-944 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1985-11-09 | DR-755 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-07-23 | EM-3046 | Drought | Drought |
| 1976-10-15 | EM-3018 | Drought | Drought |
| 1972-10-10 | DR-359 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1972-06-23 | DR-339 | Flood | Tropical Storm Agnes |
| 1969-08-23 | DR-274 | Hurricane | Severe 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 Bedford County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 81 flood or flash flood records for Bedford County from 1996 to 2025, on 48 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Bedford County ranks 1976th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Fran | 1996-09-06 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $216,000 on 26 claims filed in Bedford County; the most in one year was 7 in 2020. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 1 · 1985: 3 · 1992: 2 · 1995: 1 · 2003: 1 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 2 · 2009: 1 · 2010: 1 · 2011: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2020: 7; 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 Bedford County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Bedford County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $17.6 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.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $554K | 43 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $583K | 6 modeled event-days a year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $796K | 3.2 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $827K | once in about 16 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $13M | 1.6 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $141K | once in about 913 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $3K | 1.7 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $484K | once in about 821 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Bedford County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in VirginiaEvery Virginia tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in VirginiaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Virginia recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Bedford CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Bedford County's FEMA declarations (CSV)28 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis