Craig County, Virginia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 51045 · population 4,883 · 328 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 226 records for Craig County, Virginia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 197 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (69 records). 129 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the September 27, 2024 high wind, filed for the forecast zone Craig, which covers the county: 1 death, 1 injury and $202,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 26 declarations naming the county since 1972, 24 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
- 226on 197 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 11 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $3.0Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 1strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 26latest 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 Craig County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 69 since 1996. 65% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 69 | 68 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $66K | 58 of 96 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 48 | 36 | 1988-2024 | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | 95 of 96 |
| High wind and dust storms | 39 | 39 | 2000-2025 | 1 | 1 | $439K | 9 of 96 |
| Floods | 22 | 19 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $587K | 76 of 96 |
| Hail | 22 | 18 | 1996-2019 | 0 | 0 | $16K | 76 of 96 |
| Drought | 13 | 13 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 0 | $380K | 21 of 96 |
| Extreme cold | 5 | 5 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 46 of 96 |
| Heavy rain | 4 | 4 | 2017-2020 | 0 | 0 | $145K | 80 of 96 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 1 | 1 | 2003-2003 | 0 | 0 | – | 59 of 96 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 1996-1996 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 71 of 96 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 1 | 2018-2018 | 0 | 0 | $146K | 88 of 96 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 12 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 Craig County had?
NOAA records 1 tornado in Craig County from 2018 to 2018, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 0 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 Craig County 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 Craig County (1)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-04-15 | Marshalltown, Craig County | EF1 0.5 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $146K |
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 Craig County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the December 29, 2025 high wind ($1,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtCraig County · forecast zone Craig | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtCraig County · forecast zone Craig | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-21 | DroughtCraig County · forecast zone Craig | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormCraig County · forecast zone Craig | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-29 | High WindCraig County · forecast zone Craig | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-16 | Flash FloodGiven, Craig County | 0 | 0 | $100K | |
| 2025-05-13 | Flash FloodMarshalltown, Craig County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-13 | Flash FloodNew Castle, Craig County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-02-16 | High WindCraig County · forecast zone Craig | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 2025-02-11 | Winter StormCraig County · forecast zone Craig | 0 | 0 | $45K | |
| 2025-01-05 | Winter StormCraig County · forecast zone Craig | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-09-27 | High WindCraig County · forecast zone Craig | 59 kt wind | 1 | 1 | $202K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-27 | High WindCraig County · forecast zone Craig Numerous trees were downed across the county due to high winds associated with the remnants of Hurricane Helene, especially on Routes 621, 42, and 658. A large swath of trees were also downed near Sugar Maple Road. Over 3,200 customers were reported without power at the peak of the high winds, by mid afternoon on ... | 59 kt wind | 1 | 1 | $202K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-06-29 | Thunderstorm WindPaint Bank, Craig County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1000K |
| 1996-01-19 | Flash FloodCountywide, Craig County | 0 | 0 | $282K | |
| 2024-09-27 | High WindCraig County · forecast zone Craig | 59 kt wind | 1 | 1 | $202K |
| 2018-04-15 | TornadoMarshalltown, Craig County | EF1 0.5 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $146K |
| 2025-06-16 | Flash FloodGiven, Craig County | 0 | 0 | $100K | |
| 2003-05-09 | Thunderstorm WindNew Castle, Craig County | 80 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $80K |
| 2025-02-11 | Winter StormCraig County · forecast zone Craig | 0 | 0 | $45K | |
| 2025-12-29 | High WindCraig County · forecast zone Craig | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
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 Craig 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 14 | 20 | 26 | 9 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 24 | 10 | 5 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 2 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 0 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 6 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
65% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 29 · Feb 39 · Mar 17 · Apr 18 · May 25 · Jun 30 · Jul 15 · Aug 9 · Sep 6 · Oct 7 · Nov 5 · Dec 26 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Craig County
FEMA's register lists 26 declarations that include Craig County: 18 major disasters, 8 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (7) and hurricane (5).
| 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 |
| 2020-04-02 | DR-4512 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3448 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-10-15 | DR-4401 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2018-09-11 | EM-3403 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2012-11-26 | DR-4092 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2012-10-29 | EM-3359 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2012-07-27 | DR-4072 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2010-04-27 | DR-1905 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
| 2010-02-16 | DR-1874 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2006-07-13 | DR-1655 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2005-09-12 | EM-3240 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-10-18 | DR-1570 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding From the Remanants of Hurricane Jeanne |
| 2003-03-27 | DR-1458 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Record/Near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,Floodind, and Mudslide |
| 2000-02-28 | DR-1318 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1086 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) |
| 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 |
| 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 Craig County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 22 flood or flash flood records for Craig County from 1996 to 2025, on 19 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Craig County ranks 1335th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.3 million on 94 claims filed in Craig County; the most in one year was 36 in 2004. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1982: 1 · 1985: 3 · 1992: 23 · 1994: 1 · 1995: 17 · 1996: 4 · 2003: 3 · 2004: 36 · 2006: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2025: 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 Craig County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Craig 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.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $19K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Very Low | $365 | once in about 100 years (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Very Low | $16K | once in about 44 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Very Low | $2.5M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Very Low | $9K | 1.9 modeled event-days a year |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $19K | once in about 912 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | $11K | 12 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | $93K | 2.6 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 Craig 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
- Winter storms in VirginiaThe state's winter storm records, 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 Craig CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Craig County's FEMA declarations (CSV)26 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis