Calhoun County, Arkansas

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 05013 · population 4,734 · 629 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 376 records for Calhoun County, Arkansas from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 286 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (96 records). The most damaging was the October 29, 2009 tornado ($2.4 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 23 declarations naming the county since 1973, 21 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Bunker Fire” on September 15, 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
376on 286 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
01 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$26Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
20strongest F3
FEMA declarations
23latest 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 Calhoun County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 96 since 1957. The rank column places the county among Arkansas's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.

Calhoun County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 96 73 1957-2025 0 0 $1.7M 73 of 75
Floods 84 74 1997-2025 0 0 $6.3M 13 of 75
Hail 76 55 1967-2025 0 0 – 69 of 75
Winter storms 38 38 1998-2025 0 0 $64K 61 of 75
Drought 26 26 2000-2017 0 0 – 22 of 75
Tornadoes 20 16 1955-2026 0 1 $15M 64 of 75
Heat 10 10 2007-2012 0 0 – 38 of 75
High wind and dust storms 8 8 2007-2019 0 0 $505K 21 of 75
Hurricanes and tropical storms 6 5 2005-2020 0 0 $2.0M 13 of 75
Extreme cold 5 5 2007-2009 0 0 – 44 of 75
Heavy rain 3 3 2006-2013 0 0 – 45 of 75
Wildfires 3 3 2010-2011 0 0 – 25 of 75
Lightning 1 1 2007-2007 0 0 $712K 61 of 75

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 Calhoun County had?

NOAA records 20 tornadoes in Calhoun County from 1955 to 2026, the strongest rated F3, with 0 deaths and 1 injury 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 18 tornadoes whose track touched Calhoun County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 20: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Calhoun County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1979-04-08 17:16, as SPC files itChidester to HamptonF362.4 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Arkansas.

Every tornado record filed for Calhoun County (20)
Every tornado recorded in Calhoun County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-03-11 Chambersville, Calhoun County EF1 14.58 mi x 200 yd 0 0 –
2015-12-27 East Camden, Calhoun County EF1 3.59 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $125K
2015-12-27 Artesian, Calhoun County EF1 7.22 mi x 400 yd 0 0 $68K
2012-01-22 Little Bay, Calhoun County EF1 4.04 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $32K
2010-05-01 Artesian, Calhoun County EF0 0.66 mi x 20 yd 0 0 $7K
2009-10-29 East Camden, Calhoun County EF2 0.92 mi x 1,250 yd 0 0 $2.4M
2009-10-29 East Camden, Calhoun County EF1 2.96 mi x 700 yd 0 0 $413K
2009-10-29 Locust Bayou, Calhoun County EF1 4.32 mi x 700 yd 0 0 $14K
2005-12-03 Woodberry, Calhoun County F1 2.7 mi x 40 yd 0 0 –
2004-11-01 Hampton, Calhoun County F1 2.3 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2004-04-29 Hampton, Calhoun County F0 7.5 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2003-12-09 Woodberry, Calhoun County F1 1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2002-12-18 Hampton, Calhoun County F0 1.2 mi x 40 yd 0 0 –
2002-12-18 Locust Bayou, Calhoun County F0 0.2 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
1996-09-15 Locust Bayou, Calhoun County F1 2 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $376K
1979-04-08 Calhoun County F3 26.2 mi x 880 yd 0 1 $2.5M step
1978-12-03 Calhoun County F1 8.4 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $250K step
1973-11-23 Calhoun County F1 0 0 $3K step
1968-05-10 Calhoun County F2 1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $3K step
1955-10-28 Calhoun County F2 0.5 mi x 7 yd 0 0 $3K 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 Calhoun County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 19, 2019 thunderstorm wind ($115,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

Numerous trees were down across the area. A damage survey confirmed 80 to 85 mph straight line winds at Harrell. Numerous trees were downed or snapped, with some trees on houses. Several carports were damaged. A brick wall at a car wash perpendicular to the wind was blown down.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 834144)
The 12 most recent records kept for Calhoun County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-03-11 TornadoChambersville, Calhoun County EF1 14.58 mi x 200 yd 0 0 –
2025-10-18 HailHopeville, Calhoun County 1.75 in hail 0 0 –
2025-09-24 Flash FloodWoodberry, Calhoun County 0 0 –
2025-06-01 FloodArtesian, Calhoun County 0 0 –
2025-05-27 FloodArtesian, Calhoun County 0 0 –
2025-05-01 FloodArtesian, Calhoun County 0 0 –
2025-04-05 FloodArtesian, Calhoun County 0 0 –
2025-04-03 Thunderstorm WindLittle Bay, Calhoun County 52 kt wind 0 0 –
2025-02-03 FloodArtesian, Calhoun County 0 0 –
2025-01-09 Ice StormCalhoun County · forecast zone Calhoun 0 0 –
2025-01-01 FloodArtesian, Calhoun County 0 0 –
2021-03-27 Thunderstorm WindWoodberry, Calhoun County 65 kt wind 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 Calhoun County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1979-04-08 TornadoCalhoun County F3 26.2 mi x 880 yd 0 1 $2.5M 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.

The costliest records in Calhoun County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2009-10-29 TornadoEast Camden, Calhoun County EF2 0.92 mi x 1,250 yd 0 0 $2.4M
2009-05-04 FloodDelhi, Calhoun County 0 0 $825K
2007-05-15 LightningWoodberry, Calhoun County 0 0 $712K
2008-09-02 Flash FloodLocust Bayou, Calhoun County 0 0 $685K
2009-10-09 Thunderstorm WindHampton, Calhoun County 65 kt wind 0 0 $619K
1996-09-15 TornadoLocust Bayou, Calhoun County F1 2 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $376K
2008-04-08 Thunderstorm WindThornton, Calhoun County 65 kt wind 0 0 $343K
2009-10-29 Flash FloodThornton, Calhoun County 0 0 $275K

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: April 8, 1979 (tornado, Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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).

Calhoun County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind11201645238
Floods––––1341237
Hail03122428612
Winter storms––––111215
Drought––––01250
Tornadoes11301941

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 Calhoun County. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 24 · Feb 22 · Mar 30 · Apr 56 · May 70 · Jun 31 · Jul 25 · Aug 23 · Sep 21 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 · Dec 31 (records).

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

Federal disaster declarations for Calhoun County

FEMA's register lists 23 declarations that include Calhoun County: 16 major disasters, 6 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for severe storm (9) and hurricane (3).

Declarations including Calhoun County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2026-09-15FM-5676FireBunker Fire
2026-01-24EM-3636Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2025-04-05EM-3627Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2023-04-04DR-4700Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2020-08-27EM-3541HurricaneHurricane Laura
2020-04-03DR-4518BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3461BiologicalCovid-19
2016-05-06DR-4270Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2016-02-05DR-4254Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2011-05-02DR-1975Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding
2010-02-04DR-1872Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2009-12-03DR-1861Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2009-06-16DR-1845Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2008-09-18DR-1793HurricaneSevere Storms and Flooding Associated With Hurricane Gustav
2008-03-26DR-1751Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2005-09-02EM-3215HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2004-06-30DR-1528Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2000-12-29DR-1354Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Ice Storm
2000-12-28EM-3159Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Ice Storm
1994-02-28DR-1011SnowstormSevere Winter Ice Storm
1990-05-15DR-865FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1979-04-11DR-574TornadoTornado
1973-04-27DR-375FloodSevere 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 Calhoun County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 84 flood or flash flood records for Calhoun County from 1997 to 2025, on 74 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Calhoun County ranks 2400th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

Named storms on Calhoun County's flood and tropical record
StormBeganRecordsDeaths in the county
Tropical Storm Ike2008-09-1310
Hurricane Gustav2008-09-0240

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $148,000 on 9 claims filed in Calhoun County; the most in one year was 3 in 2009. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

2008: 2 · 2009: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2018: 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 Calhoun County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Calhoun County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $2.8 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 Calhoun County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
Ice StormRelatively Moderate$213K1.1 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Low$211K3.4 a year (modeled)
EarthquakeVery Low$412Konce in about 349 years (modeled)
HurricaneVery Low$20Konce in about 29 years (modeled)
Heat WaveVery Low$162K20 modeled event-days a year
TornadoVery Low$385Konce in about 2 years (modeled)
DroughtVery Low$5K20 modeled event-days a year
LightningVery Low$68K65 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 Calhoun County

  1. Union County 694
  2. Ouachita County 597
  3. Dallas County 434
  4. Calhoun County 376
  5. Bradley County 365
  6. Cleveland County 365

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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