Colorado County, Texas
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 48089 · population 20,532 · 960 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 277 records for Colorado County, Texas from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 189 days; the most frequent are hail reports (83 records). The deadliest single record is the January 14, 1991 tornado: 1 death and 11 injuries. FEMA has issued 20 declarations naming the county since 1993, 18 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
- 277on 189 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 125 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $81Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 32strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 20latest 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 Colorado County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 83 since 1955. 55% of its hail reports since 1955 fell in April and May. 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.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 83 | 53 | 1955-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 215 of 254 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 78 | 62 | 1965-2025 | 0 | 5 | $2.1M | 183 of 254 |
| Tornadoes | 32 | 26 | 1954-2019 | 1 | 20 | $59M | 155 of 254 |
| Floods | 31 | 27 | 1997-2024 | 0 | 0 | $3.5M | 164 of 254 |
| Drought | 15 | 15 | 1996-2023 | 0 | 0 | $15M | 229 of 254 |
| Heat | 12 | 12 | 1999-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 114 of 254 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 10 | 6 | 2000-2015 | 0 | 0 | – | 50 of 254 |
| Winter storms | 10 | 9 | 1997-2025 | 0 | 0 | $90K | 217 of 254 |
| High wind and dust storms | 2 | 1 | 1996-1996 | 0 | 0 | $113K | 199 of 254 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 2 | 2 | 1998-2015 | 0 | 0 | $45K | 64 of 254 |
| Extreme cold | 1 | 1 | 2021-2021 | 0 | 0 | $332K | 223 of 254 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 1998-1998 | 0 | 0 | $136K | 142 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 Colorado County had?
NOAA records 32 tornadoes in Colorado County from 1954 to 2019, the strongest rated F3, with 1 death and 20 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 31 tornadoes whose track touched Colorado County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 32: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-01-14 18:18, as SPC files it | Columbus | F1 | 1.5 mi | 1 |
| 1966-03-28 02:30, as SPC files it | Unnamed | F3 | 9.3 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Texas.
Every tornado record filed for Colorado County (32)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-05-03 | Calhoun, Colorado County | EF0 0.51 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-10-31 | Rayner Jct, Colorado County | EF0 1.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2012-05-10 | Weimar, Colorado County | EF2 0.62 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 8 | $643K |
| 2002-12-23 | Weimar, Colorado County | F0 0.3 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $30K |
| 2000-11-12 | Borden, Colorado County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $43K |
| 1999-08-29 | Eagle Lake, Colorado County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $177K |
| 1997-05-21 | Sheridan, Colorado County | F0 0.2 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | $46K |
| 1995-03-13 | Washington Cnty, Colorado County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $19K |
| 1995-03-13 | Bernardo, Colorado County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1995-01-12 | Near Eagle Lake, Colorado County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $97K |
| 1994-05-13 | Colorado County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1994-05-13 | Colorado County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1991-01-18 | Colorado County | F0 0.4 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1991-01-18 | Colorado County | F0 0.2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1991-01-18 | Colorado County | F1 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1991-01-14 | Colorado County | F1 1.5 mi x 250 yd | 1 | 11 | $25M step |
| 1988-04-29 | Colorado County | F0 0.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1973-06-13 | Colorado County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1971-02-25 | Colorado County | F2 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1970-09-01 | Colorado County | F1 1 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1967-09-21 | Colorado County | F2 1 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1967-09-20 | Colorado County | 0 | 0 | $25K step | |
| 1967-09-19 | Colorado County | 0 | 0 | $250 step | |
| 1967-09-19 | Colorado County | 0 | 0 | $250 step | |
| 1967-05-14 | Colorado County | F0 2.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1967-05-14 | Colorado County | F0 2.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1966-03-28 | Colorado County | F3 9.3 mi x 1,760 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1964-02-04 | Colorado County | F2 3.8 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 1 | $250K step |
| 1962-09-08 | Colorado County | F1 1 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1958-07-07 | Colorado County | 0 | 0 | $30 step | |
| 1955-06-05 | Colorado County | F2 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1954-07-06 | Colorado County | F2 4.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
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 Colorado County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 15, 2021 extreme cold/wind chill ($332,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
Bitter cold air and wind overspread SE Texas behind and Arctic front on Valentines Day with wind chill indices below zero for much the period from Sunday night to Tuesday morning. Increased power demand, wind and ice led to widespread power outages. Bursting pipes caused many to be without water as well.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 945963)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-25 | Thunderstorm WindAltair, Colorado County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-06 | HailWeimar, Colorado County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-02 | HailColumbus, Colorado County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-01-20 | Winter StormColorado County · forecast zone Colorado | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2021-02-15 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillColorado County · forecast zone Colorado | 0 | 0 | $332K | |
| 2019-05-03 | TornadoCalhoun, Colorado County | EF0 0.51 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-10-31 | TornadoRayner Jct, Colorado County | EF0 1.4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2016-04-18 | Flash FloodWeimar, Colorado County | 0 | 0 | $3.1M | |
| 2012-05-10 | TornadoWeimar, Colorado County | EF2 0.62 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 8 | $643K |
| 2011-05-25 | HailSheridan, Colorado County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $9K |
| 2007-06-03 | Thunderstorm WindColumbus, Colorado County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2007-06-03 | Thunderstorm WindWeimar, Colorado County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $14K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991-01-14 | TornadoColorado County | F1 1.5 mi x 250 yd | 1 | 11 | $25M step |
| 2012-05-10 | TornadoWeimar, Colorado County The tornado touched down near a railroad track producing a small area of EF-2 damage when boxcars of a parked train were overturned. The tornado tracked toward the north northeast across a cemetery. Extensive tree damage occurred with numerous large trees snapped and debris deposited in different directions. The ... | EF2 0.62 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 8 | $643K |
| 1998-07-14 | Thunderstorm WindColumbus, Colorado County Walmart sign blown down on several cars. Three 18-wheelers blown over on several parked cars on I-10. While DPS investigated the accident, 90 mph winds blew a 9000 lb/27 foot long culvert 1/2 mile across I-10. | 0 | 4 | $181K | |
| 2007-03-12 | Thunderstorm WindWeimar, Colorado County Approximately four homes received roof damage with debris in some homes. A baby was injured by flying glass when a tree fell into the baby's bedroom window. Minor structural damage to downtown businesses and trees. | 52 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $85K |
| 1964-02-04 | TornadoColorado County | F2 3.8 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 1 | $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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-04-18 | Flash FloodWeimar, Colorado County | 0 | 0 | $3.1M | |
| 2012-05-10 | TornadoWeimar, Colorado County | EF2 0.62 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 8 | $643K |
| 2002-10-19 | Thunderstorm WindEagle Lake, Colorado County | 0 | 0 | $353K | |
| 2021-02-15 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillColorado County · forecast zone Colorado | 0 | 0 | $332K | |
| 1998-07-14 | Thunderstorm WindColumbus, Colorado County | 0 | 4 | $181K | |
| 1999-05-30 | HailSheridan, Colorado County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $177K |
| 1999-08-29 | TornadoEagle Lake, Colorado County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $177K |
| 2002-04-07 | HailColumbus, Colorado County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $123K |
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: January 14, 1991 (tornado, Colorado 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 Colorado 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 26 | 25 | 13 | 6 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 25 | 24 | 18 | 6 |
| Tornadoes | 3 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 12 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 7 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
55% of its hail reports since 1955 fell in April and May. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 16 · Feb 21 · Mar 19 · Apr 37 · May 63 · Jun 29 · Jul 17 · Aug 20 · Sep 16 · Oct 14 · Nov 11 · Dec 14 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Colorado County
FEMA's register lists 20 declarations that include Colorado County: 12 major disasters, 8 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (7) and flood (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-07-09 | DR-4798 | Hurricane | Hurricane Beryl |
| 2021-02-19 | DR-4586 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 2021-02-14 | EM-3554 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2020-03-25 | DR-4485 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3458 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2017-08-25 | DR-4332 | Hurricane | Hurricane Harvey |
| 2016-04-25 | DR-4269 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2015-05-29 | DR-4223 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and Flooding |
| 2011-09-09 | DR-4029 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 2008-09-10 | EM-3294 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ike |
| 2008-08-29 | EM-3290 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
| 2006-01-11 | DR-1624 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| 2005-09-24 | DR-1606 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
| 2005-09-21 | EM-3261 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
| 2005-09-02 | EM-3216 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 1999-09-01 | EM-3142 | Fire | Extreme Fire Hazards |
| 1998-10-21 | DR-1257 | Flood | Tx-Flooding 10/18/98 |
| 1998-08-26 | DR-1239 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Charley |
| 1994-10-18 | DR-1041 | Flood | Severe Thunderstorms and Flooding |
| 1993-09-10 | EM-3113 | Drought | Extreme Fire Hazard |
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 Colorado County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 31 flood or flash flood records for Colorado County from 1997 to 2024, on 27 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Colorado County ranks 1404th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $4.4 million on 83 claims filed in Colorado County; the most in one year was 31 in 2017. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1981: 1 · 1983: 3 · 1985: 1 · 1991: 2 · 1993: 1 · 1994: 2 · 1997: 1 · 1998: 7 · 2002: 1 · 2004: 3 · 2009: 2 · 2010: 1 · 2012: 2 · 2014: 5 · 2015: 2 · 2016: 11 · 2017: 31 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 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 Colorado County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Colorado County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $15.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | Relatively High | $1.4M | 43 modeled event-days a year |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate | $3.8M | once in about 10 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $2.6M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $1.8M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $245K | 61 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $447K | 13 modeled event-days a year |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $79K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $222K | 2 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 Colorado 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 TexasEvery Texas tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Hail in TexasThe state's hail reports, by county, year and month
- The Texas recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Colorado CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Colorado County's FEMA declarations (CSV)20 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis