Henry County, Virginia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 51089 · population 50,948 · 382 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 777 records for Henry County, Virginia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 439 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (405 records). The deadliest single record is the June 16, 2004 flash flood: 2 deaths. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1972, 14 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
- 777on 439 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 633 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $231Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 7strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 16latest 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 Henry County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 405 since 1955. 46% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 fell in June and July. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 405 | 221 | 1955-2026 | 0 | 2 | $7.3M | 8 of 96 |
| Hail | 130 | 81 | 1955-2025 | 0 | 0 | $582K | 6 of 96 |
| Floods | 77 | 50 | 1996-2024 | 2 | 0 | $18M | 37 of 96 |
| Winter storms | 54 | 53 | 1996-2026 | 3 | 0 | $337K | 81 of 96 |
| High wind and dust storms | 46 | 44 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 7 | $1.0M | 12 of 96 |
| Drought | 22 | 22 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 0 | $15M | 5 of 96 |
| Lightning | 16 | 16 | 1997-2022 | 1 | 1 | $1.6M | 5 of 96 |
| Extreme cold | 8 | 7 | 1996-2012 | 0 | 0 | $383K | 34 of 96 |
| Tornadoes | 7 | 7 | 1964-2010 | 0 | 17 | $187M | 48 of 96 |
| Heavy rain | 5 | 3 | 2020-2020 | 0 | 0 | – | 85 of 96 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 4 | 2 | 2020-2020 | 0 | 0 | $570K | 4 of 96 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 2 | 2 | 2003-2020 | 0 | 0 | $29K | 36 of 96 |
| Heat | 1 | 1 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 6 | – | 68 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 Henry County had?
NOAA records 7 tornadoes in Henry County from 1964 to 2010, the strongest rated F2, with 0 deaths and 17 injuries recorded in the county. That is 48th of 96 Virginia 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 7 tornadoes whose track touched Henry County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 7, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Virginia.
Every tornado record filed for Henry County (7)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-10-26 | Aiken Summit, Henry County | EF0 5.44 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $7K |
| 2008-05-08 | Figsboro, Henry County | EF1 0.39 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $215K |
| 2004-09-17 | Fieldale, Henry County | F2 7.1 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 4 | $84M |
| 1998-03-20 | Sandy Level, Henry County | F1 4 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $362K |
| 1996-06-10 | Axton, Henry County | F1 1.5 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $151K |
| 1994-08-17 | Martinsville, Henry County | F2 4.25 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 10 | $100M |
| 1964-07-12 | Henry County | F2 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 3 | $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 Henry County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 22, 2026 thunderstorm wind.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindRidgeway, Henry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindFontaine, Henry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-12 | Thunderstorm WindMartinsville City, Henry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-06-10 | Thunderstorm WindChatmoss, Henry County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtHenry County and Martinsville (city) · forecast zone Henry | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtHenry County and Martinsville (city) · forecast zone Henry | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-21 | DroughtHenry County and Martinsville (city) · forecast zone Henry | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-30 | Winter StormHenry County and Martinsville (city) · forecast zone Henry | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormHenry County and Martinsville (city) · forecast zone Henry | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-06 | DroughtHenry County and Martinsville (city) · forecast zone Henry | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-01 | Thunderstorm WindChatmoss, Henry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2025-08-01 | Thunderstorm WindRidgeway, Henry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-06-16 | Flash FloodCountywide, Henry County Heavy rain producing thunderstorms produced flashing flooding in and around Buena Vista in Rockbridge County, across southern sections of Henry and Patrick Counties. One thunderstorm produced a downburst in Henry County as well, downing a tree in Bassett. Kerrs Creek left its banks yielding the evacuation of one home. ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2018-01-17 | Winter StormHenry County · forecast zone Henry Snowfall amounts between 3 to 7 inches were observed across several locations in the county. The highest accumulation was in the Axton area where 6.5 inches was measured. An indirect fatality occurred when a 6 year old boy who was sledding slid into the street and underneath a moving vehicle. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2016-01-22 | Winter StormHenry County · forecast zone Henry Snowfall amounts between 6 and 9 inches were observed across several locations throughout the county. The highest accumulation report was recieved out of the City of Martinsville, where 8.5 inches was measured. A brief period of sleet was also reported during this storm. An 80 year old woman died of hypothermia on ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2014-01-22 | Winter WeatherHenry County · forecast zone Henry An automobile encountered an icy patch on Route 687 two tenths of a mile west of Route 793, causing the automobile to slide off the road and down an enbankment where it struck a tree. The driver was killed in the accident. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1997-07-16 | LightningFieldale, Henry County Thunderstorms during the afternoon hours on the 16th resulted in damaging winds, damaging lightning, and a lightning fatality.A man was struck by lightning while in his yard in Fieldale. He was in critical condition in a hospital for about about two weeks before passing away. Thunderstorm wind knocked down trees in ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1994-08-17 | TornadoMartinsville, Henry County A tornado touched down just north of Ridgeway and moved to one and a half miles south of Martinsville. The path length was 4.25 miles long and averaged about 200 yards wide. Ten people were injured, 100 homes and 30 businesses were damaged. Total damages came to $8.7 million. The thunderstorm that produced the tornado ... | F2 4.25 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 10 | $100M |
| 2013-09-14 | Dust DevilBassett, Henry County A dust devil lifted several large, tied-down canopy tents into the air. The canopies then dropped down onto a crowd of people. There were six minor injuries, with one person taken to the hospital. | 0 | 6 | $1K | |
| 2012-07-01 | HeatHenry County · forecast zone Henry Six reports of heat related issues where persons were taken to to the hospital in Martinsville. | 0 | 6 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994-08-17 | TornadoMartinsville, Henry County | F2 4.25 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 10 | $100M |
| 2004-09-17 | TornadoFieldale, Henry County | F2 7.1 mi x 440 yd | 0 | 4 | $84M |
| 2018-05-18 | Flash FloodBassett Forks, Henry County | 0 | 0 | $11M | |
| 2010-09-30 | Flash FloodBassett, Henry County | 0 | 0 | $2.7M | |
| 2011-04-05 | Thunderstorm WindMartinsville Airport, Henry County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2.4M |
| 2020-05-24 | Flash FloodFieldale, Henry County | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | |
| 1996-09-06 | Flash FloodCountywide, Henry County | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | |
| 1996-11-08 | Thunderstorm WindMartinsville, Henry County | 0 | 1 | $753K |
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: July 12, 1964 (tornado, Henry 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 Henry 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 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 28 | 69 | 130 | 169 |
| Hail | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 50 | 42 | 11 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 10 | 26 | 24 | 17 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 9 | 18 | 20 | 7 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 4 | 6 | 12 | 24 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 6 | 10 | 0 | 6 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
46% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1955 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 46 · Feb 35 · Mar 38 · Apr 61 · May 130 · Jun 145 · Jul 118 · Aug 87 · Sep 56 · Oct 26 · Nov 20 · Dec 15 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Henry County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Henry County: 9 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (5) and severe storm (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-23 | EM-3631 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| 2012-10-29 | EM-3359 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2006-07-13 | DR-1655 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2005-09-12 | EM-3240 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 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 |
| 1996-09-06 | DR-1135 | Hurricane | Hurricane Fran and Associated Severe Storm Cond |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1086 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) |
| 1994-04-11 | DR-1021 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Ice Storm |
| 1993-03-25 | EM-3112 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 1976-10-15 | EM-3018 | 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 Henry County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 77 flood or flash flood records for Henry County from 1996 to 2024, on 50 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Henry County ranks 1093rd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Florence | 2018-09-17 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Fran | 1996-09-06 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.5 million on 148 claims filed in Henry County; the most in one year was 37 in 1987. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 2 · 1979: 9 · 1985: 11 · 1987: 37 · 1988: 5 · 1989: 6 · 1990: 5 · 1992: 3 · 1994: 1 · 1995: 2 · 1996: 17 · 1999: 1 · 2000: 2 · 2003: 7 · 2004: 2 · 2006: 4 · 2007: 1 · 2008: 1 · 2010: 10 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2020: 10 · 2024: 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 Henry County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Henry County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $15.3 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 Moderate | $11M | 1.8 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $184K | 1.5 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $294K | 8.8 modeled event-days a year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $534K | 3.2 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $24K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $559K | once in about 13 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $459K | once in about 806 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $933K | about once 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 Henry 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
- Severe thunderstorm wind in VirginiaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, 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 Henry CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Henry County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis