Crosby County, Texas

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 48107 · population 5,131 · 900 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 651 records for Crosby County, Texas from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 496 days; the most frequent are hail reports (203 records). The deadliest single record is the April 10, 1997 tornado: 1 death, 1 injury and $46,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1992, 14 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storms” on February 19, 2021.

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
651on 496 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
112 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$29Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
61strongest F3
FEMA declarations
16latest 2021

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 Crosby County most?

The most frequent records are hail reports: 203 since 1957. 64% of its hail reports since 1957 fell in May and June. 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.

Crosby County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Hail 203 143 1957-2026 0 0 $6.2M 88 of 254
Severe thunderstorm wind 123 107 1955-2026 0 0 $8.0M 98 of 254
Drought 91 91 1996-2022 0 0 $2.3M 71 of 254
High wind and dust storms 79 75 1996-2026 0 0 $1.5M 20 of 254
Tornadoes 61 39 1955-2025 1 3 $7.3M 77 of 254
Winter storms 60 60 1997-2026 0 7 $858K 33 of 254
Floods 19 19 1996-2025 0 2 $2.7M 191 of 254
Extreme cold 4 4 2011-2026 0 0 – 160 of 254
Heavy rain 4 4 2000-2010 0 0 – 71 of 254
Wildfires 3 3 2008-2013 0 0 $262K 129 of 254
Heat 2 2 2008-2017 0 0 $137K 166 of 254
Hurricanes and tropical storms 1 1 2007-2007 0 0 – 93 of 254
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 1 1 2015-2015 0 0 – 146 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 Crosby County had?

NOAA records 61 tornadoes in Crosby County from 1955 to 2025, the strongest rated F3, with 1 death and 3 injuries recorded in the county. That is 77th of 254 Texas counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. 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 63 tornadoes whose track touched Crosby County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 61: 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.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Crosby County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1997-04-10 20:35, as SPC files itUnnamedF10.2 mi1
2005-05-12 19:40, as SPC files itRallsF36 mi0
1989-06-06 16:50, as SPC files itLorenzoF330 mi0
1957-05-24 13:00, as SPC files itTahoka to RallsF337.3 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Texas.

Every tornado record filed for Crosby County (61)
The 60 most recent of 61 tornadoes in Crosby County
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2025-04-24 Owens, Crosby County EFU 1.48 mi x 30 yd 0 0 –
2025-04-24 Canyon Vly, Crosby County EFU 3.37 mi x 440 yd 0 0 –
2024-05-01 Lorenzo, Crosby County EFU 0.01 mi x 30 yd 0 0 –
2020-07-22 Crosbyton Municipal Airport, Crosby County EFU 0.01 mi x 10 yd 0 0 –
2017-03-28 Crosbyton Paulder Ar, Crosby County EFU 2.07 mi x 400 yd 0 0 –
2017-03-28 Crosbyton Paulder Ar, Crosby County EFU 2.47 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
2015-05-05 Owens, Crosby County EF0 2.3 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
2015-05-05 Owens, Crosby County EF0 0.25 mi x 30 yd 0 0 –
2012-06-04 Crosbyton Municipal Airport, Crosby County EF0 0.01 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
2009-04-16 Ralls, Crosby County EF0 0.5 mi x 200 yd 0 0 –
2005-06-12 Crosbyton, Crosby County F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2005-06-09 Crosbyton, Crosby County F0 1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2005-05-12 Ralls, Crosby County F2 4.5 mi x 500 yd 0 0 $264K
2005-05-12 Ralls, Crosby County F3 6 mi x 500 yd 0 0 $756K
2002-05-27 Ralls, Crosby County F0 1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $5K
1999-06-11 Cone, Crosby County F0 0.1 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $886K
1999-06-11 Crosbyton, Crosby County F1 0.1 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $904K
1998-04-26 Ralls, Crosby County F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd 0 0 –
1997-04-10 Canyon Vly, Crosby County F0 0 0 –
1997-04-10 Crosbyton, Crosby County F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
1997-04-10 Kalgary, Crosby County F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
1997-04-10 Kalgary, Crosby County F1 0.2 mi x 50 yd 1 1 $46K
1992-03-16 Crosby County F0 2 mi x 30 yd 0 0 –
1989-06-06 Crosby County F3 29 mi x 900 yd 0 0 $25K step
1986-06-04 Crosby County F0 0.2 mi x 40 yd 0 0 –
1985-05-20 Crosby County F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
1982-05-12 Crosby County F0 0.1 mi x 20 yd 0 0 $250 step
1982-05-12 Crosby County F1 1 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $250K step
1982-05-11 Crosby County F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $25K step
1981-05-07 Crosby County F2 2.7 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $250K step
1981-05-07 Crosby County F0 0.5 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
1981-05-07 Crosby County F0 0.5 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
1981-05-07 Crosby County F0 0.5 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
1981-05-07 Crosby County F0 0.5 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
1981-05-07 Crosby County F2 1 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $250K step
1981-05-07 Crosby County F2 1.5 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $250K step
1981-05-07 Crosby County F2 6.1 mi x 40 yd 0 0 –
1981-03-03 Crosby County F0 22 mi x 33 yd 0 0 $30 step
1981-03-03 Crosby County F0 0.7 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $30 step
1980-03-27 Crosby County F1 1.9 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $250 step
1979-04-10 Crosby County F0 2 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $30 step
1979-03-21 Crosby County F0 0 0 –
1979-03-21 Crosby County F0 0.3 mi x 30 yd 0 0 –
1979-03-18 Crosby County F1 10.5 mi x 300 yd 0 2 $250K step
1978-08-15 Crosby County F0 0.5 mi x 30 yd 0 0 –
1978-07-04 Crosby County F0 1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
1978-04-04 Crosby County F1 0.5 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $25K step
1977-05-18 Crosby County F0 0.5 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
1977-05-18 Crosby County F0 1 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
1977-05-18 Crosby County F0 1 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
1977-05-18 Crosby County F0 1 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
1977-05-03 Crosby County F1 1 mi x 20 yd 0 0 $30 step
1976-07-16 Crosby County F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd 0 0 –
1974-06-03 Crosby County F0 0.5 mi x 27 yd 0 0 $30 step
1974-03-09 Crosby County F1 18.5 mi x 20 yd 0 0 –
1970-05-11 Crosby County F1 1 mi x 27 yd 0 0 $250 step
1968-05-31 Crosby County F0 0 0 –
1961-06-05 Crosby County F1 2 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $30 step
1961-06-05 Crosby County F0 2 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $30 step
1957-05-17 Crosby County F0 0 0 $30 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 Crosby County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 1, 2018 hail ($588,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

Very large hail up to baseball size driven sideways by intense winds caused extensive damage to many north-facing windows, cars and home siding in Ralls. The hail also caused severe damage to the Texas Tech University West Texas mesonet on the south side of Ralls.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 748113)
The 12 most recent records kept for Crosby County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-23 Thunderstorm WindLorenzo, Crosby County 56 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-06-23 HailRalls, Crosby County 1.25 in hail 0 0 –
2026-05-31 HailWhite River Lake, Crosby County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-04-17 High WindCrosby County · forecast zone Crosby 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-03-27 High WindCrosby County · forecast zone Crosby 50 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-03-15 High WindCrosby County · forecast zone Crosby 36 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-03-11 High WindCrosby County · forecast zone Crosby 55 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-02-17 High WindCrosby County · forecast zone Crosby 54 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-01-23 Extreme Cold/Wind ChillCrosby County · forecast zone Crosby 0 0 –
2026-01-23 Winter StormCrosby County · forecast zone Crosby 0 0 –
2025-11-20 Thunderstorm WindRalls, Crosby County 63 kt wind 0 0 –
2025-07-08 Strong WindCrosby County · forecast zone Crosby 43 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 Crosby County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1997-04-10 TornadoKalgary, Crosby County Severe weather broke out across the South Plains of West Texas during the afternoon and evening of the 10th. A band of storms moved across the area bringing large hail to many counties. Ahead of the band, however, an isolated tornadic supercell moved from Lynn County northeast across Crosby and Dickens Counties. One ... F1 0.2 mi x 50 yd 1 1 $46K
2015-11-27 Ice StormCrosby County · forecast zone Crosby Following a sharp cold front which ignited a few strong thunderstorms during the late afternoon hours on Thanksgiving Day, brisk northerly winds and freezing temperatures overspread the region and remained in place for nearly 48 hours. Atop this shallow layer of cold air, anomalously moist air from the Gulf of Mexico ... 0 7 $809K
2007-03-25 Flash FloodLorenzo, Crosby County Numerous reports of flash flooding were reported along U.S. Highway 62/82 between Lorenzo and Crosbyton. Flowing flood waters along that highway contributed to a vehicle accident that resulted in two injuries. 0 2 $21K
1979-03-18 TornadoCrosby County F1 10.5 mi x 300 yd 0 2 $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.

The costliest records in Crosby County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2018-06-01 Thunderstorm WindRalls, Crosby County 78 kt wind 0 0 $4.1M
2015-07-06 FloodLorenzo Airfield Arp, Crosby County 0 0 $2.5M
2017-09-17 Thunderstorm WindEstacado, Crosby County 87 kt wind 0 0 $2.4M
2009-06-18 Dust StormCrosby County · forecast zone Crosby 0 0 $1.4M
2002-06-04 HailBroadway, Crosby County 2.75 in hail 0 0 $984K
1999-06-11 TornadoCrosbyton, Crosby County F1 0.1 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $904K
1999-06-11 Thunderstorm WindCrosbyton, Crosby County 0 0 $886K
1999-06-11 TornadoCone, Crosby County F0 0.1 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $886K

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: March 18, 1979 (tornado, Crosby County); May 7, 1981 (tornado, Crosby County); May 7, 1981 (tornado, Crosby 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 Crosby 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).

Crosby County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Hail39152253562421
Severe thunderstorm wind43227373335
Drought––––10224811
High wind and dust storms––––4251832
Tornadoes2316178654
Winter storms––––1202811

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

What time of year?

64% of its hail reports since 1957 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 33 · Feb 41 · Mar 66 · Apr 93 · May 156 · Jun 125 · Jul 28 · Aug 21 · Sep 22 · Oct 18 · Nov 22 · Dec 26 (records).

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

Federal disaster declarations for Crosby County

FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Crosby County: 9 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for fire (4) and severe ice storm (3).

Declarations including Crosby County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2021-02-19DR-4586Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storms
2021-02-14EM-3554Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm
2020-03-25DR-4485BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3458BiologicalCovid-19
2016-02-09DR-4255Severe StormSevere Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2011-07-01DR-1999FireWildfires
2008-03-14EM-3284FireWildfires
2006-01-11DR-1624FireExtreme Wildfire Threat
2005-09-24DR-1606HurricaneHurricane Rita
2005-09-21EM-3261HurricaneHurricane Rita
2005-09-02EM-3216HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2001-01-08DR-1356Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Ice Storm
1999-09-01EM-3142FireExtreme Fire Hazards
1998-08-26DR-1239Severe StormTropical Storm Charley
1993-09-10EM-3113DroughtExtreme Fire Hazard
1992-09-09DR-960Severe StormExcessive Rain & Hail

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 Crosby County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 19 flood or flash flood records for Crosby County from 1996 to 2025, on 19 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Crosby County ranks 2830th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $33,000 on 1 claim filed in Crosby County; the most in one year was 1 in 2017. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

2017: 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 Crosby County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Crosby County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $4.6 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 Crosby County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
DroughtRelatively High$1.8M77 modeled event-days a year
HailRelatively Moderate$914K4.9 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$463K2.2 a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Low$620Konce in about 2 years (modeled)
Ice StormRelatively Low$34Konce in about 2 years (modeled)
Cold WaveRelatively Low$219K1.3 a year (modeled)
WildfireVery Low$52Konce in about 404 years (modeled)
Winter WeatherVery Low$12K7.2 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 Crosby County

  1. Lubbock County 1,725
  2. Hale County 1,025
  3. Floyd County 721
  4. Lynn County 712
  5. Crosby County 651
  6. Garza County 609
  7. Motley County 559
  8. Dickens County 537
  9. Kent County 395

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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