Fulton County, Arkansas

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 05049 · population 12,050 · 618 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 433 records for Fulton County, Arkansas from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 320 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (146 records). The deadliest single record is the April 2, 1982 tornado: 2 deaths and 2 injuries. FEMA has issued 28 declarations naming the county since 1969, 26 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on January 24, 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
433on 320 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
532 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$89Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
22strongest F4
FEMA declarations
28latest 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 Fulton County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 146 since 1956. 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.

Fulton County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 146 100 1956-2026 0 4 $2.0M 56 of 75
Hail 88 70 1967-2026 0 0 $112K 55 of 75
Winter storms 85 83 1996-2026 0 0 $71M 7 of 75
Floods 40 35 1997-2025 1 0 $12M 47 of 75
Tornadoes 22 19 1959-2024 4 28 $2.5M 55 of 75
Drought 10 10 2000-2017 0 0 – 73 of 75
Extreme cold 9 9 2007-2014 0 0 – 13 of 75
Heavy rain 8 6 2009-2024 0 0 – 20 of 75
Heat 7 7 2007-2012 0 0 – 64 of 75
High wind and dust storms 7 7 2007-2013 0 0 $483K 33 of 75
Hurricanes and tropical storms 4 4 2005-2012 0 0 $1.7M 34 of 75
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 3 1 2011-2011 0 0 – 47 of 75
Lightning 2 2 2008-2008 0 0 $3K 47 of 75
Wildfires 2 2 2012-2013 0 0 – 32 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 Fulton County had?

NOAA records 22 tornadoes in Fulton County from 1959 to 2024, the strongest rated F4, with 4 deaths and 28 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 22 tornadoes whose track touched Fulton County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 22, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 5 people, 4 of them in Fulton County.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Fulton County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1982-04-02 18:20, as SPC files itUnnamedF31.5 mi2
2024-05-26 02:59, as SPC files itGassvilleEF334.6 mi1
2001-02-24 16:46, as SPC files itSalemF28 mi1
1959-03-14 20:30, as SPC files itKoshkonongCrossed AR, MOF211 mi1
1982-12-24 17:00, as SPC files itVan BurenCrossed AR, MOF463 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Arkansas.

Every tornado record filed for Fulton County (22)
Every tornado recorded in Fulton County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2024-05-26 Wheeling, Fulton County EF1 10.4 mi x 500 yd 0 0 –
2024-05-26 Ruth, Fulton County EF0 2.5 mi x 1,760 yd 0 0 –
2006-11-10 Salem, Fulton County F1 13.3 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
2006-09-22 Saddle, Fulton County F2 5.5 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
2006-03-12 Byron, Fulton County F0 1.5 mi x 25 yd 0 0 –
2005-11-27 Agnos, Fulton County F1 5.8 mi x 100 yd 0 0 –
2005-11-27 Vidette, Fulton County F1 1.3 mi x 50 yd 0 0 –
2005-11-05 Moko, Fulton County F1 5.4 mi x 250 yd 0 1 –
2003-04-20 Vidette, Fulton County F1 10 mi x 75 yd 0 0 –
2001-02-24 Union, Fulton County F2 8 mi x 300 yd 1 3 –
2000-01-03 Fryatt, Fulton County F1 3.1 mi x 40 yd 0 0 –
2000-01-03 Agnos, Fulton County F1 2 mi x 40 yd 0 0 –
1999-04-03 Mammoth Spg, Fulton County F1 4.5 mi x 100 yd 0 2 –
1991-03-21 Fulton County F1 2 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $250K step
1984-06-06 Fulton County F0 0.5 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $3K step
1984-04-03 Fulton County F0 0 0 –
1982-12-24 Fulton County F4 15 mi x 440 yd 0 5 $250K step
1982-04-02 Fulton County F3 1.5 mi x 880 yd 2 2 $250K step
1979-04-11 Fulton County F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $25K step
1968-06-24 Fulton County F2 6.8 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $3K step
1968-05-15 Fulton County F1 0 0 $3K step
1959-03-14 Fulton County F2 3.6 mi x 417 yd 1 15 $25K 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 Fulton County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the April 15, 2022 hail ($10,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

Four inch hail was estimated and windshields were broken.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1020106)
The 12 most recent records kept for Fulton County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-04-27 HailKittle, Fulton County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-04-16 HailMammoth Spg, Fulton County 1.25 in hail 0 0 –
2026-04-16 HailCamp, Fulton County 1.50 in hail 0 0 –
2026-03-15 Thunderstorm WindVidette, Fulton County 56 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-03-04 HailSalem, Fulton County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2026-01-24 Winter StormFulton County · forecast zone Fulton 0 0 –
2025-04-05 Flash FloodMammoth Spg, Fulton County 0 0 –
2025-04-04 Flash FloodSalem, Fulton County 0 0 –
2025-04-04 FloodSturkie, Fulton County 0 0 –
2025-02-18 Winter StormFulton County · forecast zone Fulton 0 0 –
2025-01-09 Winter StormFulton County · forecast zone Fulton 0 0 –
2024-05-26 TornadoWheeling, Fulton County EF1 10.4 mi x 500 yd 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 Fulton County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1982-04-02 TornadoFulton County F3 1.5 mi x 880 yd 2 2 $250K step
1959-03-14 TornadoFulton County F2 3.6 mi x 417 yd 1 15 $25K step
2001-02-24 TornadoUnion, Fulton County A strong tornado was spawned in southern Fulton County about 3 miles west of Union. The tornado moved quickly northeast, and caused considerable damage. Roofs were damaged at several homes, with a dairly barn heavily damaged. Three mobile homes were destroyed. In one of the mobile homes about 5.5 miles southwest of ... F2 8 mi x 300 yd 1 3 –
2012-03-20 FloodFrench, Fulton County Heavy rain caused flooding along the South Fork of the Spring River. On the 24th at the Kia Kima Scout Reservation, a 4 year-old boy was helping clean up the area. According to news reports, a group of older boys left the clean-up site to return to the camping area. Sometime thereafter, the younger boy asked if he ... 1 0 $26K
1982-12-24 TornadoFulton County F4 15 mi x 440 yd 0 5 $250K step
1986-08-01 Thunderstorm WindFulton County 0 4 –
1999-04-03 TornadoMammoth Spg, Fulton County A weak tornado was spawned in northeast Fulton County. The tornado developed about 3 miles southwest of Mammoth Spring and moved northeast. The tornado destroyed a mobile home and damaged another. A recreational vehicle was also badly damaged. Roof damage was also noted at a number of homes and a couple of ... F1 4.5 mi x 100 yd 0 2 –
2005-11-05 TornadoMoko, Fulton County A weak tornado touched down briefly in Fulton County, about 3 miles east of Moko. Estimated winds with the tornado were about 110 mph. A house had shingles off, a broken window and the porch was shifted.One person in the house sustained minor injuries from flying debris. Another house had broken windows and several ... F1 5.4 mi x 250 yd 0 1 –

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 Fulton County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2011-05-01 FloodVidette, Fulton County 0 0 $4.3M
2011-04-26 FloodVidette, Fulton County 0 0 $1.8M
2013-12-05 Winter StormFulton County · forecast zone Fulton 0 0 $950K
2016-05-09 Thunderstorm WindSalem, Fulton County 78 kt wind 0 0 $615K
2007-01-13 Flash FloodSalem, Fulton County 0 0 $441K
2012-12-09 Thunderstorm WindGepp, Fulton County 65 kt wind 0 0 $321K
2012-12-25 Winter StormFulton County · forecast zone Fulton 0 0 $257K
2012-08-01 Thunderstorm WindFlint Springs, Fulton County 65 kt wind 0 0 $129K

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: April 2, 1982 (tornado, Fulton County, 2 killed); December 24, 1982 (tornado, Fulton County); March 21, 1991 (tornado, Fulton 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 Fulton 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).

Fulton County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind222531553613
Hail014321311612
Winter storms––––5223820
Floods––––120136
Tornadoes121421002
Drought––––0190

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 Fulton County. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 36 · Feb 33 · Mar 42 · Apr 74 · May 62 · Jun 20 · Jul 35 · Aug 53 · Sep 15 · Oct 15 · Nov 19 · Dec 29 (records).

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

Federal disaster declarations for Fulton County

FEMA's register lists 28 declarations that include Fulton County: 20 major disasters, 8 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (12) and flood (5).

Declarations including Fulton County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2026-01-24EM-3636Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2025-05-21DR-4873FloodSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2025-04-05EM-3627Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2024-05-30DR-4788Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2020-08-27EM-3541HurricaneHurricane Laura
2020-04-03DR-4518BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3461BiologicalCovid-19
2017-06-15DR-4318Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2014-04-29DR-4174Severe StormSevere Storms,Tornadoes, and Flooding
2014-01-06DR-4160Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm
2011-05-02DR-1975Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding
2009-12-03DR-1861Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2009-06-16DR-1845Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2009-02-06DR-1819Severe StormSevere Winter Storm
2009-01-28EM-3301Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm
2008-03-26DR-1751Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2006-04-12DR-1636Severe StormSevere Storms and Tornadoes
2005-09-02EM-3215HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2003-06-06DR-1472Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2003-01-06DR-1450Severe Ice StormSevere Ice Storm
2000-12-29DR-1354Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Ice Storm
1991-05-30DR-907FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1982-12-13DR-673Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding
1982-04-23EM-3085TornadoSevere Storms & Tornadoes
1976-12-03EM-3019DroughtDrought
1973-04-27DR-375FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1972-01-27DR-321FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1969-02-15DR-254FloodSevere 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 Fulton County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 40 flood or flash flood records for Fulton County from 1997 to 2025, on 35 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Fulton County ranks 1558th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

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

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.7 million on 61 claims filed in Fulton County; the most in one year was 19 in 2008. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1989: 1 · 2006: 2 · 2008: 19 · 2009: 4 · 2011: 9 · 2015: 4 · 2017: 12 · 2021: 1 · 2025: 9; 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 Fulton County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Fulton County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $9.4 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 Fulton County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
Ice StormVery High$2.3M1.3 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$335K2.7 a year (modeled)
EarthquakeRelatively Low$710Konce in about 202 years (modeled)
LandslideRelatively Low$3K1.4 a year (modeled)
Heat WaveRelatively Low$443K10 modeled event-days a year
TornadoRelatively Low$1.2Monce in about 3 years (modeled)
Cold WaveRelatively Low$901K2.3 a year (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively Low$35K8.5 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 Fulton County

  1. Howell County, MO 1,070
  2. Ozark County, MO 820
  3. Baxter County 716
  4. Sharp County 512
  5. Izard County 482
  6. Oregon County, MO 436
  7. Fulton County 433

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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