PlainHazard

Blount County, Tennessee

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 47009 · population 135,033 · 559 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 714 records for Blount County, Tennessee from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 477 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (369 records). The deadliest single record is the July 13, 1996 lightning: 1 death. FEMA has issued 18 declarations naming the county since 1973, 16 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
714on 477 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
117 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$36Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
16strongest EF4
FEMA declarations
18latest 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 Blount County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 369 since 1955. 41% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among Tennessee's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.

Blount County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 369 280 1955-2026 0 8 $5.7M 18 of 95
Hail 108 81 1957-2025 0 0 $2K 25 of 95
Winter storms 103 64 1996-2026 0 0 $14K 56 of 95
High wind and dust storms 65 46 1996-2025 0 2 $823K 4 of 95
Floods 45 31 1996-2026 0 0 $9.1M 78 of 95
Tornadoes 16 12 1972-2019 0 7 $9.5M 72 of 95
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 3 3 2004-2018 0 0 – 32 of 95
Drought 2 1 1998-1998 0 0 – 89 of 95
Lightning 2 2 1996-1999 1 0 $11M 64 of 95
Heat 1 1 2007-2007 0 0 – 56 of 95

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 Blount County had?

NOAA records 16 tornadoes in Blount County from 1972 to 2019, the strongest rated EF4, with 0 deaths and 7 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 16 tornadoes whose track touched Blount County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 16, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person, 0 of them in Blount County.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Blount County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1993-02-21 16:05, as SPC files itLenoir to MaryvilleF330 mi1
2011-04-27 17:31, as SPC files itUnnamedEF414.45 mi0
2011-03-23 19:50, as SPC files itGreenbackEF35.8 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Tennessee.

Every tornado record filed for Blount County (16)
Every tornado recorded in Blount County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2019-06-07 Oakhurst, Blount County EF0 0.12 mi x 30 yd 0 0 –
2019-06-07 Middle Settlement, Blount County EF0 0.05 mi x 15 yd 0 0 –
2012-03-01 Prospect, Blount County EF0 1.85 mi x 70 yd 0 0 $26K
2012-02-29 Marble Hill, Blount County EF0 0.75 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $32K
2011-04-27 Chilhowee, Blount County EF0 13.2 mi x 440 yd 0 0 $13K
2011-04-27 Brick Mill, Blount County EF0 3.8 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $13K
2011-04-27 Chilhowee, Blount County EF4 12.75 mi x 1,320 yd 0 0 $1.3M
2011-04-27 Middle Settlement, Blount County EF0 6.5 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $13K
2011-03-23 Kiser, Blount County EF3 5.8 mi x 500 yd 0 2 $3.3M
2010-04-25 Lanier, Blount County EF2 1 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $27K
2001-06-02 Maryville, Blount County F0 1.5 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $333K
1993-02-21 Maryville, Blount County F2 10 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $1.0M
1980-03-07 Blount County F1 0.1 mi x 20 yd 0 0 $3K step
1975-03-07 Blount County F1 0.5 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $25K step
1974-04-03 Blount County F2 0.5 mi x 50 yd 0 2 $250K step
1972-06-28 Blount County F1 0.5 mi x 27 yd 0 3 $250K 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 Blount County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 11, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($10,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The 12 most recent records kept for Blount County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-05-29 Flash FloodClover Hill, Blount County 0 0 –
2026-03-16 Winter WeatherBlount County · forecast zone Northwest Blount 0 0 –
2026-03-16 Thunderstorm WindTallassee, Blount County 52 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-03-16 Thunderstorm WindForest Hill, Blount County 52 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-03-11 Thunderstorm WindDisco, Blount County 52 kt wind 0 0 $10K
2026-02-22 Winter WeatherBlount County · forecast zone Northwest Blount 0 0 –
2026-02-20 Thunderstorm WindMcGhee Tyson Kn, Blount County 52 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-01-30 Heavy SnowBlount County · forecast zone Blount/Smoky Mountains 0 0 –
2026-01-30 Heavy SnowBlount County · forecast zone Northwest Blount 0 0 –
2025-12-18 Thunderstorm WindMcGhee Tyson Kn, Blount County 54 kt wind 0 0 –
2025-10-21 HailShooks Gap, Blount County 0.88 in hail 0 0 –
2025-10-21 HailPumpkin Center, Blount County 0.75 in hail 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 Blount County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1996-07-13 LightningRockford, Blount County A man was struck and killed by lightning at a rockford construction site. 1 0 –
2012-07-05 Thunderstorm WindTremont, Blount County One person was killed and four were injured when trees were blown down at the Abrams Creek Campground. 60 kt wind 0 4 –
2012-07-05 Thunderstorm WindCades Cove, Blount County One person was killed and three were injured when trees were blown down in the Cades Cove area. 60 kt wind 0 3 –
1972-06-28 TornadoBlount County F1 0.5 mi x 27 yd 0 3 $250K step
2011-03-23 TornadoKiser, Blount County An EF-3 tornado produced 140 mph winds along a 5.8 mile path with a maximum damage path width of 500 yards. Twenty six homes sustained damage ranging from fifty percent to entirely demolished as a result of the tornado. EF3 5.8 mi x 500 yd 0 2 $3.3M
2006-10-17 High WindBlount County · forecast zone Blount/Smoky Mountains Numerous trees and powerlines down across the higher elevations. Several park facilities were damaged. In addition, many camper trailers, RVs and vehicles using the park were also damaged. 70 kt wind 0 2 $293K
1974-04-03 TornadoBlount County F2 0.5 mi x 50 yd 0 2 $250K step
2023-03-03 Thunderstorm WindAlcoa, Blount County A tree was reported to have fallen on a woman in a vehicle. She was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. 52 kt wind 0 1 –

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 Blount County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1999-05-23 LightningMaryville, Blount County 0 0 $11M
2003-05-05 Flash FloodCountywide, Blount County 0 0 $5.8M
2011-03-23 TornadoKiser, Blount County EF3 5.8 mi x 500 yd 0 2 $3.3M
2019-02-23 FloodLanier, Blount County 0 0 $3.2M
1995-08-01 Thunderstorm WindAlcoa, Blount County 0 0 $1.9M
2001-06-02 TornadoMaryville, Blount County F0 1.5 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $333K
2006-10-17 High WindBlount County · forecast zone Blount/Smoky Mountains 70 kt wind 0 2 $293K
1996-04-20 Thunderstorm WindAlcoa, Blount County 0 0 $226K

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 $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 28, 1972 (tornado, Blount County); April 3, 1974 (tornado, Blount 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 Blount 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).

Blount County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind1120915591178157
Hail473317322517
Winter storms––––22362817
High wind and dust storms––––1212320
Floods––––7151112
Tornadoes003111100

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

What time of year?

41% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 71 · Feb 76 · Mar 61 · Apr 64 · May 96 · Jun 98 · Jul 89 · Aug 65 · Sep 8 · Oct 15 · Nov 20 · Dec 51 (records).

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

Federal disaster declarations for Blount County

FEMA's register lists 18 declarations that include Blount County: 12 major disasters, 5 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for severe storm (6) and flood (3).

Declarations including Blount County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2026-02-06DR-4898Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2026-01-24EM-3635Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2025-04-02EM-3625Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2020-04-02DR-4514BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3473BiologicalCovid-19
2019-04-17DR-4427FloodSevere Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
2017-06-23DR-4320Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2016-11-19FM-5165FireEast Miller Cove Fire
2015-04-02DR-4211Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm and Flooding
2011-05-01DR-1974Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding
2005-09-05EM-3217HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2003-05-08DR-1464Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2002-04-05DR-1408Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
1998-04-20DR-1215Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
1994-04-14DR-1022FloodExtensive Rainfall and Flash Flooding
1993-03-14EM-3095SnowstormSevere Snowfall, Winter Storm
1974-04-04DR-424TornadoTornadoes
1973-03-21DR-366FloodHeavy Rains & 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 Blount County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 45 flood or flash flood records for Blount County from 1996 to 2026, on 31 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Blount County ranks 1569th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.3 million on 60 claims filed in Blount County; the most in one year was 15 in 2020. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1981: 2 · 1984: 1 · 1986: 1 · 2002: 10 · 2003: 7 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 4 · 2016: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2019: 14 · 2020: 15 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 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 Blount County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Blount County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $36.6 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Blount County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
LightningRelatively High$1.3M57 a year (modeled)
LandslideRelatively Moderate$227K2.1 a year (modeled)
EarthquakeRelatively Moderate$10Monce in about 194 years (modeled)
Ice StormRelatively Moderate$311Konce in about 3 years (modeled)
Riverine FloodingRelatively Moderate$17M1 a year (modeled)
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$2.8M1.3 a year (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively Moderate$150K8 a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Moderate$2.6Monce in about 5 years (modeled)

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

Counties that share a border with Blount County

  1. Knox County 867
  2. Sevier County 787
  3. Blount County 714
  4. Monroe County 548
  5. Swain County, NC 489
  6. Graham County, NC 442
  7. Loudon County 374

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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