Graham County, Arizona
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 04009 · population 38,453 · 4,622 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 597 records for Graham County, Arizona from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 397 days; the most frequent are drought records (171 records). 417 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 June 24, 2026 excessive heat, filed for the forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley, which covers the county: 2 deaths. FEMA has issued 13 declarations naming the county since 1966, 11 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms and Flooding” on September 7, 2006.
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
- 597on 397 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 263 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $13Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 1strongest EF0
- FEMA declarations
- 13latest 2020
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 Graham County most?
The most frequent records are drought records: 171 since 2011. The rank column places the county among Arizona'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | 171 | 77 | 2011-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 of 15 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 104 | 97 | 1974-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.6M | 7 of 15 |
| Winter storms | 98 | 69 | 1997-2024 | 0 | 0 | $17K | 5 of 15 |
| Heat | 59 | 53 | 2011-2026 | 21 | 0 | – | 8 of 15 |
| Floods | 54 | 51 | 1997-2024 | 1 | 0 | $3.3M | 13 of 15 |
| Wildfires | 43 | 36 | 2011-2025 | 0 | 2 | $197K | 3 of 15 |
| High wind and dust storms | 34 | 31 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $152K | 13 of 15 |
| Hail | 19 | 18 | 1958-2025 | 0 | 0 | $7.4M | 12 of 15 |
| Extreme cold | 9 | 8 | 2011-2025 | 4 | 0 | $394K | 5 of 15 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 2019-2021 | 0 | 1 | $109K | 13 of 15 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2004-2004 | 0 | 0 | $16K | 14 of 15 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 1 | 1 | 2022-2022 | 0 | 0 | – | 9 of 15 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 1997-1997 | 0 | 0 | – | 15 of 15 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 1 | 2015-2015 | 0 | 0 | – | 14 of 15 |
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 Graham County had?
NOAA records 1 tornado in Graham County from 2015 to 2015, the strongest rated EF0, 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 Graham 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 Arizona.
Every tornado record filed for Graham County (1)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-07-31 | Safford, Graham County | EF0 0.58 mi x 15 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
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 Graham County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 26, 2026 excessive heat (1 death).
Temperatures in Southeastern Arizona were 4 degrees above normal with Moderate HeatRisk. The Pima County Medical Examiner found that heat was a contributing factor in the cause of death for an individual in Benson. A Sierra Vista CWOP site recorded a high temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1353772)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-26 | Excessive HeatCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-24 | Excessive HeatCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-12 | HeatCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-13 | High WindCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-13 | High WindCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-13 | High WindCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-19 | HeatGraham County and Greenlee County · forecast zone Upper Gila River And Aravaipa Valleys | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-01 | DroughtGraham County and Greenlee County · forecast zone Upper Gila River And Aravaipa Valleys | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-01 | DroughtGraham County and Greenlee County · forecast zone Upper Gila River And Aravaipa Valleys | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-01 | DroughtGraham County and Greenlee County · forecast zone Upper Gila River And Aravaipa Valleys | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-01 | DroughtCochise County and 2 more · forecast zone Galiuro And Pinaleno Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-01 | DroughtGraham County and Greenlee County · forecast zone White Mountains Of Graham And Greenlee Counties | 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
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-24 | Excessive HeatCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley Temperatures in Southeastern Arizona were 6 degrees above normal with Major HeatRisk. The Pima County Medical Examiner found that heat was the primary factor in the cause of death for 2 individuals, one in Benson and one in Hereford. A Sierra Vista CWOP site recorded a high temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-07-10 | HeatGraham County and Greenlee County · forecast zone Upper Gila River And Aravaipa Valleys Hot temperatures about 4 to 8 degrees above normal were experienced in the Upper Gila River Valley on July 10 through July 12, causing the Moderate Heat Risk category to be reached. The County Medical Examiner Office reported two deaths, both with the primary cause as heat in Safford and Pima during this time period. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-26 | Excessive HeatCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley Temperatures in Southeastern Arizona were 4 degrees above normal with Moderate HeatRisk. The Pima County Medical Examiner found that heat was a contributing factor in the cause of death for an individual in Benson. A Sierra Vista CWOP site recorded a high temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-12 | HeatCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley Temperatures in Southeastern Arizona was 6 degrees above normal with Moderate HeatRisk. The Pima County Medical Examiner found that heat was a contributing factor the cause of death for an individual in Sierra Vista. A Sierra Vista CWOP recorded a high temperature of 96 degrees Fahrenheit. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-19 | HeatGraham County and Greenlee County · forecast zone Upper Gila River And Aravaipa Valleys High temperatures in Southeastern Arizona were 16 degrees above normal, causing Minor HeatRisk. The Safford Airport reached a high temperature of 96 degrees Fahrenheit. The Pima County Medical Examiner found that heat was the primary factor in the cause of death for an individual in Pima. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-22 | Excessive HeatGraham County and Greenlee County · forecast zone Upper Gila River And Aravaipa Valleys High temperatures in Southeastern Arizona were 6 degrees above normal, causing Major HeatRisk. The Safford Agriculture Center reached a high temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit. The Pima County Medical Examiner found that heat was a contributing factor in the cause of death for an individual in Safford. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-07 | Excessive HeatGraham County and Greenlee County · forecast zone Upper Gila River And Aravaipa Valleys High temperatures in Southeastern Arizona were 13 degrees above normal, causing Major HeatRisk. The Safford Agricultural Center reached a high temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The Pima County Medical Examiner found that heat was a contributing factor in the cause of death for an individual in Safford. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-06 | Excessive HeatCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley High temperatures in Southeastern Arizona were 6 degrees above normal, causing Major HeatRisk. A Benson CWOP site reached a high temperature of 109 degrees Fahrenheit. The Pima County Medical Examiner found that heat was a contributing factor in the cause of death for an individual in Benson. | 1 | 0 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-10-08 | HailSafford, Graham County | 2.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | $7.4M |
| 2005-02-12 | FloodGraham County and Greenlee County · forecast zone Upper Gila River Valley | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | |
| 2021-09-05 | Thunderstorm WindSolomon, Graham County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $545K |
| 2011-02-02 | Frost/FreezeGraham County and Greenlee County · forecast zone Upper Gila River And Aravaipa Valleys | 0 | 0 | $394K | |
| 2018-09-19 | Flash FloodThatcher, Graham County | 0 | 0 | $294K | |
| 2003-07-25 | Thunderstorm WindFt Thomas, Graham County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $257K |
| 2001-08-10 | Thunderstorm WindSafford Airport, Graham County | 69 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $17K |
| 2021-07-22 | Flash FloodPima, Graham County | 1 | 0 | $5K |
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 Graham 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 92 | 79 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 30 | 29 | 23 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 2 | 22 | 49 | 25 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 14 | 45 z |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 2 | 22 | 21 | 9 |
| Wildfires | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 13 | 30 |
Heat in the 2020-26: 45 records against 14 in the decade before, 45 of them forecast-zone records. Cells marked z rose mostly through zone records. The local National Weather Service office files these once per forecast zone, so a change in how it draws its zones or splits a storm into records moves this count as much as the weather does; read it beside the Graham County days with a record above.
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 Graham County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 43 · Feb 50 · Mar 33 · Apr 34 · May 30 · Jun 68 · Jul 122 · Aug 99 · Sep 36 · Oct 26 · Nov 22 · Dec 34 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Graham County
FEMA's register lists 13 declarations that include Graham County: 10 major disasters, 3 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for flood (7) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-04 | DR-4524 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3442 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2006-09-07 | DR-1660 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-12 | EM-3241 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-04-14 | DR-1586 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1993-01-19 | DR-977 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1990-12-06 | DR-884 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1983-10-05 | DR-691 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1978-12-21 | DR-570 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1978-03-04 | DR-551 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-04-15 | EM-3038 | Drought | Drought |
| 1972-10-25 | DR-360 | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding |
| 1966-04-30 | DR-217 | Flood | 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 Graham County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 54 flood or flash flood records for Graham County from 1997 to 2024, on 51 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Graham County ranks 1731st of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $355,000 on 43 claims filed in Graham County; the most in one year was 12 in 1978. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 12 · 1983: 2 · 1991: 1 · 1992: 2 · 1993: 3 · 1995: 1 · 1996: 1 · 1997: 1 · 1998: 1 · 1999: 1 · 2000: 2 · 2003: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2016: 7 · 2018: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 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 Graham County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Graham County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $18.2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning | Relatively High | $1.2M | 58 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $4.6M | 4.9 modeled event-days a year |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate | $2.2M | once in about 180 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $677K | 85 modeled event-days a year |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $117K | 7.1 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $9.0M | 1.7 a year (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Very Low | $591 | once in about 100 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $185K | once in about 850 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Graham 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 ArizonaEvery Arizona tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Drought in ArizonaThe state's drought records, by county, year and month
- The Arizona recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Graham CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Graham County's FEMA declarations (CSV)13 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis