Colonial Heights (city), Virginia
City storm and disaster record · FIPS 51570 · population 18,163 · 8 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 111 records for Colonial Heights (city), Virginia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 97 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (28 records). The deadliest single record is the May 10, 2018 heat, filed for the forecast zone Eastern Chesterfield, which covers the county: 2 deaths. FEMA has issued 15 declarations naming the county since 1972, 13 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
- 111on 97 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 324 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $5.4Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 1strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 15latest 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 Colonial Heights (city) most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 28 since 1983. 50% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1983 fell in June and July. Census land area gives no figure for Colonial Heights (city) under this code, so it carries no per-area rank.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 28 | 25 | 1983-2025 | 0 | 0 | $372K | – |
| Heavy rain | 22 | 22 | 1998-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| Winter storms | 21 | 21 | 2016-2025 | 0 | 0 | $92K | – |
| Floods | 20 | 15 | 1999-2026 | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | – |
| Hail | 11 | 10 | 1979-2017 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| Heat | 3 | 3 | 2018-2025 | 2 | 0 | – | – |
| Extreme cold | 2 | 2 | 2016-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| High wind and dust storms | 2 | 2 | 2018-2020 | 1 | 3 | $41K | – |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2014-2014 | 0 | 0 | $2K | – |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 1 | 2008-2008 | 0 | 21 | $2.7M | – |
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 Colonial Heights (city) had?
NOAA records 1 tornado in Colonial Heights (city) from 2008 to 2008, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 21 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 1 tornado whose track touched Colonial Heights (city) since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 1, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Virginia.
Every tornado record filed for Colonial Heights (city) (1)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-04-28 | Colonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | EF1 0.9 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 21 | $2.7M |
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 Colonial Heights (city)?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the July 19, 2025 thunderstorm wind ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-26 | Flash FloodColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-27 | Excessive HeatColonial Heights (city) · forecast zone Eastern Chesterfield | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-19 | Thunderstorm WindColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-07-18 | Thunderstorm WindColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-07-13 | Flash FloodColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | 0 | 0 | $15K | |
| 2025-07-13 | Flash FloodColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-13 | Flash FloodColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | 0 | 0 | $50K | |
| 2025-07-13 | Flash FloodColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-12 | Flash FloodColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-12 | Flash FloodColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-23 | Excessive HeatColonial Heights (city) · forecast zone Eastern Chesterfield | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-19 | Heavy SnowColonial Heights (city) · forecast zone Eastern Chesterfield | 0 | 0 | $1K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-05-10 | HeatChesterfield County and Colonial Heights (city) · forecast zone Eastern Chesterfield Two 6 month old infants were left in a hot vehicle at the 2400 block of Alfalfa Lane, near Jefferson Davis Highway just south of Richmond Virginia. They were transported to a hospital. One died almost immediately, while the other was initially in critical condition, but then later died. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2018-03-02 | Strong WindChesterfield County and Colonial Heights (city) · forecast zone Eastern Chesterfield The strong winds downed several trees, produced some structural damage, and caused scattered power outages. Wind gust of 49 knots (56 mph) was measured at the Chesterfield County Airport. Also, a six year old male died several hours after a tree fell on the family's mobile home. Time was estimated between 6 am and 7 ... | 49 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $24K |
| 2008-04-28 | TornadoColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) A tornado touched down in spots beginning near the end of the football field near Colonial Heights Middle School. The tornado then continued across Interstate 95 and into the Dimmock Square shopping center. The first of the damage was to a football field clubhouse as a part of the roof was blown off. The storm then ... | EF1 0.9 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 21 | $2.7M |
| 2020-02-07 | Strong WindChesterfield County and Colonial Heights (city) · forecast zone Eastern Chesterfield Tree was downed on Interstate 95 resulting in a three vehicle accident near Bellwood. Three injuries were reported. | 45 kt wind | 0 | 3 | $17K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-04-28 | TornadoColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | EF1 0.9 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 21 | $2.7M |
| 1999-09-16 | Flash FloodColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | 0 | 0 | $2.1M | |
| 2025-07-13 | Flash FloodColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | 0 | 0 | $50K | |
| 2018-03-02 | Strong WindChesterfield County and Colonial Heights (city) · forecast zone Eastern Chesterfield | 49 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $24K |
| 2020-02-07 | Strong WindChesterfield County and Colonial Heights (city) · forecast zone Eastern Chesterfield | 45 kt wind | 0 | 3 | $17K |
| 2025-07-13 | Flash FloodColonial Hgts, Colonial Heights (city) | 0 | 0 | $15K |
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 Colonial Heights (city)'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 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 3 | 4 | 8 | 7 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 11 | 10 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | 5 | 13 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
50% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1983 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 11 · Feb 9 · Mar 9 · Apr 7 · May 14 · Jun 10 · Jul 23 · Aug 7 · Sep 9 · Oct 6 · Nov 3 · Dec 3 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Colonial Heights (city)
FEMA's register lists 15 declarations that include Colonial Heights (city): 9 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (6) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-23 | EM-3631 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| 2011-09-03 | DR-4024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2005-09-12 | EM-3240 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-03 | DR-1544 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes Associated W Td Gaston |
| 2003-09-18 | DR-1491 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| 2000-02-28 | DR-1318 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 1999-09-18 | DR-1293 | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1086 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) |
| 1993-03-25 | EM-3112 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 1977-01-26 | DR-525 | Freezing | Ice Conditions |
| 1972-06-23 | DR-339 | Flood | Tropical Storm Agnes |
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 Colonial Heights (city) had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 20 flood or flash flood records for Colonial Heights (city) from 1999 to 2026, on 15 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Colonial Heights (city) ranks 1424th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Floyd | 1999-09-16 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.2 million on 79 claims filed in Colonial Heights (city); the most in one year was 24 in 2003. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 8 · 1984: 8 · 1985: 1 · 1992: 1 · 1999: 18 · 2003: 24 · 2004: 4 · 2006: 5 · 2007: 1 · 2009: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 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 Colonial Heights (city)
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Colonial Heights (city) Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $4.3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $240K | once in about 6 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $37K | 1.3 a year (modeled) |
| Coastal Flooding | Very Low | $42K | 3.7 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $211K | once in about 567 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | $164K | 5.2 modeled event-days a year |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | $27K | 4.8 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Very Low | $346K | once in about 223 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Very Low | $3.1M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Colonial Heights (city)
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 Colonial Heights (city)The hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Colonial Heights (city)'s FEMA declarations (CSV)15 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis