Irion County, Texas
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 48235 · population 1,511 · 1,052 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 308 records for Irion County, Texas from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 237 days; the most frequent are hail reports (109 records). The deadliest single record is the January 13, 2015 winter weather, filed for the forecast zone Irion, which covers the county: 2 deaths and 1 injury. FEMA has issued 13 declarations naming the county since 1993, 11 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
- 308on 237 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 27 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $29Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 15strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 13latest 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 Irion County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 109 since 1958. 72% of its hail reports since 1958 fell in April and May. 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.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 109 | 72 | 1958-2026 | 0 | 3 | $3.0M | 191 of 254 |
| Drought | 57 | 57 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | $5.8M | 184 of 254 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 50 | 42 | 1964-2025 | 0 | 0 | $19M | 216 of 254 |
| Winter storms | 34 | 34 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 1 | $6K | 119 of 254 |
| Floods | 25 | 22 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 1 | $1.2M | 193 of 254 |
| Tornadoes | 15 | 12 | 1964-2026 | 0 | 1 | $2K | 218 of 254 |
| Wildfires | 7 | 7 | 2006-2011 | 0 | 1 | – | 71 of 254 |
| Extreme cold | 6 | 6 | 2007-2026 | 0 | 0 | $32K | 138 of 254 |
| High wind and dust storms | 4 | 4 | 2002-2013 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 128 of 254 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 1 | 1 | 2007-2007 | 0 | 0 | – | 116 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 Irion County had?
NOAA records 15 tornadoes in Irion County from 1964 to 2026, the strongest rated F2, with 0 deaths and 1 injury 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 14 tornadoes whose track touched Irion County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 15: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Texas.
Every tornado record filed for Irion County (15)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-19 | Barnhart, Irion County | EFU 0.31 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-04-09 | Sherwood, Irion County | EF0 3.67 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2007-05-06 | Mertzon, Irion County | EF0 0.41 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2000-04-11 | Barnhart, Irion County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-05-25 | Mertzon, Irion County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-05-25 | Mertzon, Irion County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1997-06-16 | Mertzon, Irion County | F0 0.1 mi x 15 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-05-29 | Mertzon, Irion County | F0 0.1 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-05-29 | Mertzon, Irion County | F1 0.1 mi x 70 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-05-10 | Barnhart, Irion County | F0 0.1 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1982-05-12 | Irion County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $30 step |
| 1981-05-15 | Irion County | F1 1 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1971-06-21 | Irion County | F2 0.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1971-06-21 | Irion County | F2 0.1 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1964-07-27 | Irion County | F2 1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 1 | $250 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 Irion County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 9, 2025 hail (3 injuries).
An NWS employee measured hail stones of 3.25 inches in diameter. In addition, public reported hail larger than 3.25 inches with at least 25 pickup trucks and larger trucks that had windows broken and significant denting. One truck was dented badly enough to stop the engine. 3 people sustained injuries.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1271913)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-19 | TornadoBarnhart, Irion County | EFU 0.31 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-19 | HailMertzon, Irion County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-19 | HailMertzon, Irion County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-19 | HailBarnhart, Irion County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-19 | Flash FloodBarnhart, Irion County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-26 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillIrion County · forecast zone Irion | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-23 | Winter WeatherIrion County · forecast zone Irion | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-04 | Thunderstorm WindSherwood, Irion County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-08-04 | HailSherwood, Irion County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-09 | HailMertzon, Irion County | 3.25 in hail | 0 | 3 | – |
| 2025-05-26 | HailMertzon, Irion County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-04-19 | Thunderstorm WindBarnhart, Irion County | 61 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
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-01-13 | Winter WeatherIrion County · forecast zone Irion Two people were killed early in the morning after a two vehicle accident 2 miles west of Barnhart. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a motorist driving east on US Highway 67 hit an icy spot and lost control. His vehicle entered into a counterclockwise spin before being broadsided by another truck. ... | 2 | 1 | – | |
| 2025-06-09 | HailMertzon, Irion County An NWS employee measured hail stones of 3.25 inches in diameter. In addition, public reported hail larger than 3.25 inches with at least 25 pickup trucks and larger trucks that had windows broken and significant denting. One truck was dented badly enough to stop the engine. 3 people sustained injuries. | 3.25 in hail | 0 | 3 | – |
| 2006-01-01 | WildfireIrion County · forecast zone Irion The Rocker B fire started soon after the Cole fire. This fire started just to the west of the Irion County line and moved quickly to the east with 50 mph wind gusts. One firefighter was injured while fighting this blaze. This fire also consumed about 40 thousand acres of land. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 1999-05-24 | Flash FloodMertzon, Irion County Four cars attempting to cross a flooded low water crossing in northern Irion County were swept away by the swiftly flowing floodwaters. Heavy rains had swelled the Mid-Concho River, flooding the low water crossing along Farm-to-Market Road 853. All of the occupants were accounted for, although one person was treated ... | 0 | 1 | $27K | |
| 1964-07-27 | TornadoIrion County | F2 1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 1 | $250 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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-05-29 | Thunderstorm WindMertzon, Irion County | 0 | 0 | $19M | |
| 1998-08-01 | DroughtIrion County · forecast zone Irion | 0 | 0 | $5.8M | |
| 2006-05-04 | HailMertzon, Irion County | 4.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | $2.9M |
| 1996-08-29 | Flash FloodMertzon, Irion County | 0 | 0 | $941K | |
| 1999-05-24 | Flash FloodMertzon, Irion County | 0 | 1 | $27K |
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 $250, in the dollars of the day) holds: July 27, 1964 (tornado, Irion 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 Irion 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 23 | 30 | 23 | 21 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 2 | 10 | 29 | 16 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 13 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 1 | 11 | 14 | 8 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 9 | 7 | 4 | 5 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
72% of its hail reports since 1958 fell in April and May. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 20 · Feb 18 · Mar 17 · Apr 38 · May 97 · Jun 42 · Jul 8 · Aug 26 · Sep 10 · Oct 10 · Nov 9 · Dec 13 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Irion County
FEMA's register lists 13 declarations that include Irion County: 6 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for fire (4) and hurricane (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-02-19 | DR-4586 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 2021-02-14 | EM-3554 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2020-03-25 | DR-4485 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3458 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2011-07-01 | DR-1999 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 2008-03-14 | EM-3284 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 2006-01-11 | DR-1624 | Fire | Extreme Wildfire Threat |
| 2005-09-24 | DR-1606 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
| 2005-09-21 | EM-3261 | Hurricane | Hurricane Rita |
| 2005-09-02 | EM-3216 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 1999-09-01 | EM-3142 | Fire | Extreme Fire Hazards |
| 1998-08-26 | DR-1239 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Charley |
| 1993-09-10 | EM-3113 | Drought | Extreme Fire Hazard |
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 Irion County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 25 flood or flash flood records for Irion County from 1996 to 2026, on 22 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Irion County ranks 2756th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $13,000 on 2 claims filed in Irion County; the most in one year was 2 in 2021. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2021: 2; 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 Irion County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Irion County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $1.3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $440K | once in about 65 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $206K | 50 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Very Low | $103K | 3.2 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | $98K | 1.2 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | $24K | 8.6 modeled event-days a year |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | $6K | 4.3 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Very Low | $59K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Very Low | $1K | once in about 174 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Irion 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 TexasEvery Texas tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Hail in TexasThe state's hail reports, by county, year and month
- The Texas recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Irion CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Irion County's FEMA declarations (CSV)13 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis