Hampden County, Massachusetts
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 25013 · population 465,327 · 617 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 1,367 records for Hampden County, Massachusetts from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 642 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (496 records). The deadliest single record is the June 1, 2011 tornado: 3 deaths, 200 injuries and $299 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 24 declarations naming the county since 1985, 22 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Lee” on September 15, 2023.
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
- 1,367on 642 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 5211 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $346Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 19strongest EF3
- FEMA declarations
- 24latest 2023
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 Hampden County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 496 since 1957. 53% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in July and August. The rank column places the county among Massachusetts'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 496 | 231 | 1957-2026 | 0 | 3 | $7.3M | 1 of 12 |
| Winter storms | 244 | 153 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $20M | 6 of 12 |
| Hail | 241 | 123 | 1958-2025 | 0 | 0 | $3.8M | 1 of 12 |
| High wind and dust storms | 157 | 107 | 1996-2025 | 2 | 2 | $1.5M | 9 of 12 |
| Floods | 129 | 82 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $7.5M | 8 of 12 |
| Lightning | 32 | 30 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 5 | $746K | 8 of 12 |
| Tornadoes | 19 | 15 | 1956-2020 | 3 | 201 | $304M | 4 of 12 |
| Drought | 18 | 9 | 2016-2017 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 of 12 |
| Heavy rain | 16 | 13 | 1996-2000 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 of 12 |
| Extreme cold | 4 | 3 | 2015-2019 | 0 | 0 | – | 6 of 12 |
| Heat | 4 | 3 | 2010-2011 | 0 | 0 | – | 9 of 12 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 4 | 3 | 2011-2021 | 0 | 0 | $685K | 8 of 12 |
| Wildfires | 2 | 2 | 2012-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 of 12 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2014-2014 | 0 | 0 | – | 7 of 12 |
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 Hampden County had?
NOAA records 19 tornadoes in Hampden County from 1956 to 2020, the strongest rated EF3, with 3 deaths and 201 injuries recorded in the county. That is 4th of 12 Massachusetts 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 20 tornadoes whose track touched Hampden County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 19: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 3 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-06-01 14:17, as SPC files it | Westfield to Southbridge | EF3 | 37.58 mi | 3 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Massachusetts.
Every tornado record filed for Hampden County (19)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-08-02 | Tolland, Hampden County | EF0 8.14 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $51K |
| 2011-06-01 | Brimfield, Hampden County | EF1 1.69 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-06-01 | Indian Orchard, Hampden County | EF1 4.16 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-06-01 | Westfield, Hampden County | EF3 31.52 mi x 880 yd | 3 | 200 | $299M |
| 1992-06-24 | Hampden County | F0 0.2 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1979-08-10 | Hampden County | F1 0.6 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 1 | $25K step |
| 1977-06-29 | Hampden County | F1 0.1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1975-07-24 | Hampden County | F2 0.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1972-09-14 | Hampden County | F1 0.3 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1972-08-09 | Hampden County | F1 0.5 mi x 77 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1970-10-03 | Hampden County | F1 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1968-07-19 | Hampden County | F0 0.1 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1966-08-11 | Hampden County | F2 5.6 mi x 67 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1963-07-21 | Hampden County | F0 0.3 mi x 67 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1958-06-26 | Hampden County | F1 0.1 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1956-09-12 | Hampden County | F1 2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1956-06-01 | Hampden County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1956-06-01 | Hampden County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1956-06-01 | Hampden County | F1 1 mi x 67 yd | 0 | 0 | $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.
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 Hampden County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 30, 2026 thunderstorm wind.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-30 | Thunderstorm WindSouthwick, Hampden County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $300 |
| 2026-06-30 | Thunderstorm WindMontgomery, Hampden County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $300 |
| 2026-06-06 | LightningNorth Agawam, Hampden County | 0 | 0 | $300 | |
| 2026-02-22 | Heavy SnowHampden County · forecast zone Eastern Hampden | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-22 | Heavy SnowHampden County · forecast zone Western Hampden | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Heavy SnowHampden County · forecast zone Western Hampden | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Heavy SnowHampden County · forecast zone Eastern Hampden | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-02 | Heavy SnowHampden County · forecast zone Western Hampden | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-09-06 | Thunderstorm WindBarnes Airport Wst, Hampden County | 56 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-06 | Thunderstorm WindVining Hill, Hampden County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2025-09-06 | Thunderstorm WindHolyoke, Hampden County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-09-06 | Thunderstorm WindWestfield, Hampden County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $800 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-06-01 | TornadoWestfield, Hampden County A supercell thunderstorm developed over western Massachusetts. This storm strengthened and produced a long-lived, very significant tornado that did extensive damage across southwest and south central Massachusetts. This storm will be noted not only for its intensity, but also for the length of the continuous damage ... | EF3 31.52 mi x 880 yd | 3 | 200 | $299M |
| 2023-02-03 | High WindHampden County · forecast zone Eastern Hampden Winds were generally gusting to 50 to 60 mph, but at the highest elevations, a mesonet site atop Mt. Tom recorded a gust to 78 mph at 617 PM EST. In Southwick at 1230 PM EST, a tree fell onto a SUV on Feeding Hills Road (Route 57), which sadly killed a 6-month old passenger. | 52 kt wind | 1 | 1 | $8K |
| 2006-10-20 | High WindHampden County · forecast zone Eastern Hampden Trees and wires were blown down in Southwick, West Springfield, Holyoke, Brimfield, and Longmeadow. As many as eight heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units were torn from their moorings at Holyoke Mall, forcing its evacuation when a gas line was severed. A roof was blown off an apartment building across ... | 50 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $95K |
| 2008-07-27 | Thunderstorm WindWest Springfield, Hampden County A tree on Interstate 91 near the Massachusetts Turnpike was downed by thunderstorm winds onto a car, puncturing the windshield. A 61 year old man and a 57 year old woman were injured. Rescuers had to cut through the tree before they could get to the people in the car. The man was able to climb out by himself once the ... | 50 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $14K |
| 2008-05-27 | LightningSouthwick, Hampden County Two brothers were hospitalized after lightning struck the ground directly in front of them. Their injuries were non life threatening. | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2011-07-26 | Thunderstorm WindWillimansett, Hampden County Trees on Fuller Road, Route 33, Westover Road, James Street, Leo Drive, and Prospect Street were downed by thunderstorm winds. The Home Depot on Route 33 sustained significant damage to sheds and other outdoor displays. A tree was downed onto a trailer on Edbert Street, injuring one person. The person sustained minor ... | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $131K |
| 2011-07-26 | LightningMonson, Hampden County A local television station reported that a 16 year old boy was indirectly struck by lightning. Lightning struck the ground and traveled into the metal garage door that the boy was touching. He was transported to the hospital for observation but was reported to be fine. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2007-06-27 | LightningPalmer, Hampden County Lightning injured a person in Palmer. The injuries were reported to be minor. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-06-01 | TornadoWestfield, Hampden County | EF3 31.52 mi x 880 yd | 3 | 200 | $299M |
| 2011-10-29 | Heavy SnowHampden County · forecast zone Eastern Hampden | 0 | 0 | $10M | |
| 2013-08-04 | HailWest Springfield, Hampden County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3.8M |
| 2011-07-26 | Thunderstorm WindWilbraham, Hampden County | 85 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2.0M |
| 2008-12-11 | Ice StormHampden County · forecast zone Western Hampden | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 2011-08-28 | FloodMundale, Hampden County | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | |
| 2005-10-15 | FloodHampden County · forecast zone Eastern Hampden | 0 | 0 | $982K | |
| 2005-10-09 | FloodHampden County · forecast zone Eastern Hampden | 0 | 0 | $604K |
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: June 1, 1956 (tornado, Hampden County); August 11, 1966 (tornado, Hampden 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 Hampden 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 2 | 10 | 14 | 22 | 45 | 128 | 170 | 105 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 44 | 83 | 91 | 26 |
| Hail | 1 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 43 | 79 | 89 | 12 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 42 | 40 | 47 | 28 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 8 | 30 | 71 | 20 |
| Lightning | – | – | – | – | 4 | 11 | 14 | 3 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
53% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in July and August. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 87 · Feb 101 · Mar 86 · Apr 39 · May 109 · Jun 204 · Jul 280 · Aug 204 · Sep 59 · Oct 64 · Nov 48 · Dec 86 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Hampden County
FEMA's register lists 24 declarations that include Hampden County: 13 major disasters, 11 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (7) and severe storm (6).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-09-15 | EM-3599 | Hurricane | Hurricane Lee |
| 2020-03-27 | DR-4496 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3438 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2013-04-19 | DR-4110 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| 2012-10-28 | EM-3350 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2012-01-06 | DR-4051 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2011-11-01 | EM-3343 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm |
| 2011-09-03 | DR-4028 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Irene |
| 2011-08-26 | EM-3330 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2011-06-15 | DR-1994 | Tornado | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 2011-03-07 | DR-1959 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2009-01-05 | DR-1813 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| 2008-12-13 | EM-3296 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2007-05-16 | DR-1701 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding |
| 2005-11-10 | DR-1614 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3252 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-02-17 | EM-3201 | Snowstorm | Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
| 2004-01-15 | EM-3191 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2003-03-11 | EM-3175 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 1996-01-24 | DR-1090 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1993-03-16 | EM-3103 | Snowstorm | Blizzards, High Winds & Record Snowfall |
| 1991-08-26 | DR-914 | Hurricane | Hurricane Bob |
| 1987-04-18 | DR-790 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1985-10-28 | DR-751 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gloria |
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 Hampden County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 129 flood or flash flood records for Hampden County from 1996 to 2025, on 82 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Hampden County ranks 788th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Irene | 2011-08-28 | 3 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.7 million on 279 claims filed in Hampden County; the most in one year was 39 in 1984. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 16 · 1979: 26 · 1980: 11 · 1981: 1 · 1982: 22 · 1983: 8 · 1984: 39 · 1985: 4 · 1987: 2 · 1988: 1 · 1989: 2 · 1990: 2 · 1991: 3 · 1992: 2 · 1993: 1 · 1995: 1 · 1996: 2 · 1998: 3 · 1999: 6 · 2000: 1 · 2001: 1 · 2002: 1 · 2003: 6 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 37 · 2006: 1 · 2007: 6 · 2008: 8 · 2009: 2 · 2011: 36 · 2012: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 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 Hampden County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hampden County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $107 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively High | $75M | 2.8 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High | $1.3M | 2.3 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively High | $12M | once in about 9 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | $1.9M | 1.8 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate | $4.8M | once in about 715 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $2.5M | 5.1 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $4.2M | 2.8 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $220K | 18 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 Hampden 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 MassachusettsEvery Massachusetts tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in MassachusettsThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Massachusetts recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Hampden CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Hampden County's FEMA declarations (CSV)24 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis