James City County, Virginia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 51095 · population 78,221 · 142 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 291 records for James City County, Virginia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 203 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (104 records). The deadliest single record is the March 2, 2018 high wind, filed for the forecast zone James City, which covers the county: 1 death and $29,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 18 declarations naming the county since 1972, 16 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
- 291on 203 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 221 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $25Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 9strongest EF3
- FEMA declarations
- 18latest 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 James City County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 104 since 1957. 44% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in July and August. 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 | 104 | 79 | 1957-2026 | 0 | 9 | $2.0M | 10 of 96 |
| Heavy rain | 76 | 41 | 1998-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 of 96 |
| Floods | 38 | 34 | 1999-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 9 of 96 |
| Winter storms | 24 | 24 | 2015-2025 | 0 | 0 | $62K | 68 of 96 |
| Hail | 20 | 15 | 1957-2022 | 0 | 0 | $356K | 35 of 96 |
| Tornadoes | 9 | 7 | 1993-2020 | 0 | 12 | $21M | 8 of 96 |
| Lightning | 8 | 7 | 2000-2014 | 1 | 0 | $196K | 2 of 96 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 2 | 2 | 2025-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 of 96 |
| Extreme cold | 2 | 2 | 2016-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 50 of 96 |
| Heat | 2 | 2 | 2025-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 47 of 96 |
| High wind and dust storms | 2 | 2 | 2018-2018 | 1 | 0 | $47K | 73 of 96 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 2 | 2 | 2016-2020 | 0 | 0 | $114K | 17 of 96 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 1 | 2009-2009 | 0 | 0 | – | 36 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 James City County had?
NOAA records 9 tornadoes in James City County from 1993 to 2020, the strongest rated EF3, with 0 deaths and 12 injuries recorded in the county. That is 8th 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 8 tornadoes whose track touched James City County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 9: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 2 people, 0 of them in James City County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-04-16 16:45, as SPC files it | Gloucester Courthouse | EF3 | 26.47 mi | 2 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Virginia.
Every tornado record filed for James City County (9)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-08-04 | Five Forks, James City County | EF1 0.8 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $114K |
| 2018-10-11 | Norge, James City County | EF1 2.09 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $176K |
| 2011-04-16 | Grove, James City County | EF3 3.42 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $66K |
| 2008-04-28 | Jamestown, James City County | EF0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $274K |
| 2006-01-11 | Jamestown, James City County | F1 0.8 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 2 | $29K |
| 2004-08-30 | Jamestown, James City County | F0 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2004-08-30 | Jamestown, James City County | F0 3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 1993-08-06 | Williamsburg To, James City County | F1 8 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $10M |
| 1993-08-06 | Newport News, James City County | F1 12 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 10 | $10M |
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 James City County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 16, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindToano, James City County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2025-11-09 | Thunderstorm WindNorge, James City County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-11-09 | Thunderstorm WindNorge, James City County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 2025-11-09 | Thunderstorm WindDiascund, James City County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-10-28 | Astronomical Low TideJames City County and Williamsburg (city) · forecast zone James City | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-12 | Coastal FloodJames City County and Williamsburg (city) · forecast zone James City | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-01 | Coastal FloodJames City County and Williamsburg (city) · forecast zone James City | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-21 | Astronomical Low TideJames City County and Williamsburg (city) · forecast zone James City | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-18 | Flash FloodGrove, James City County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-31 | Flash FloodEwell, James City County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-27 | Excessive HeatJames City County and Williamsburg (city) · forecast zone James City | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-23 | Excessive HeatJames City County and Williamsburg (city) · forecast zone James City | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-03-02 | High WindJames City County · forecast zone James City The very strong winds downed trees and caused power outages. A forty four year old male died when a large oak tree fell on his vehicle. | 50 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $29K |
| 2003-08-30 | LightningJamestown, James City County Lightning strike killed man at Busch Gardens amusement park. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1993-08-06 | TornadoNewport News, James City County At about 1510 EDT a tornado hit the south part of Newport News. It moved northeast across the south part of the city and across the south part of Hampton. It knocked down numerous trees, damaged many homes and injured eight people in Newport News and two in Hampton. A reported 163 homes were damaged in Newport News, ... | F1 12 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 10 | $10M |
| 2010-08-05 | Thunderstorm WindGrove, James City County Debris was blown onto track of roller coaster. Five people were injured. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 5 | $1K |
| 2013-01-31 | Thunderstorm WindGrove, James City County Large tree was downed through the bedroom of a single wide trailer destroying the structure. However, a dog was killed by the falling tree. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $32K |
| 2006-01-11 | TornadoJamestown, James City County F1 tornado caused intermittent damage at the Jamestown Beach Campground and Foxfield subdivision. One trailer and a pop-up camper were destroyed at the campground and caused minor injuries to two occupants. Two townhomes suffered minor roof and siding damage in the subdivision. Many trees were damaged along Jamestown ... | F1 0.8 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 2 | $29K |
| 1995-11-11 | Thunderstorm WindJames City County Numerous trees and power lines down across county. One person injured when tree fell on mobile home. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 1986-10-14 | Thunderstorm WindJames City County | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-08-06 | TornadoNewport News, James City County | F1 12 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 10 | $10M |
| 2007-06-29 | Thunderstorm WindFive Forks, James City County | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1.4M |
| 2006-10-07 | Flash FloodJamestown, James City County | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 2007-06-29 | HailGrove, James City County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $356K |
| 2008-04-28 | TornadoJamestown, James City County | EF0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $274K |
| 2020-08-04 | TornadoFive Forks, James City County | EF1 0.8 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $114K |
| 2011-04-16 | TornadoGrove, James City County | EF3 3.42 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $66K |
| 2013-01-31 | Thunderstorm WindGrove, James City County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $32K |
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 James City 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 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 17 | 18 | 35 | 25 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 2 | 4 | 30 | 40 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 1 | 4 | 9 | 24 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 13 | 11 |
| Hail | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
44% 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 18 · Feb 12 · Mar 9 · Apr 13 · May 23 · Jun 33 · Jul 66 · Aug 55 · Sep 21 · Oct 27 · Nov 10 · Dec 4 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for James City County
FEMA's register lists 18 declarations that include James City County: 11 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (9) and biological (2).
| 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 |
| 2018-12-18 | DR-4411 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Michael |
| 2018-09-11 | EM-3403 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2012-10-29 | EM-3359 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2011-09-03 | DR-4024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2011-08-26 | EM-3329 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2006-09-22 | DR-1661 | Severe Storm | Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-12 | EM-3240 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2003-09-18 | DR-1491 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| 2000-02-28 | DR-1318 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 1999-09-18 | DR-1293 | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations |
| 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) |
| 1993-03-25 | EM-3112 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 1977-01-26 | DR-525 | Freezing | Ice Conditions |
| 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 James City County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 38 flood or flash flood records for James City County from 1999 to 2025, on 34 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), James City County ranks 641st of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $6.4 million on 370 claims filed in James City County; the most in one year was 150 in 2003. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 2 · 1981: 1 · 1985: 3 · 1989: 1 · 1994: 1 · 1996: 8 · 1998: 12 · 1999: 65 · 2003: 150 · 2004: 3 · 2006: 51 · 2008: 4 · 2009: 24 · 2010: 3 · 2011: 13 · 2012: 4 · 2013: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 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 James City County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates James City County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $22.2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $1.6M | 2.5 modeled event-days a year |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate | $3.3M | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $240K | 1.4 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $512K | 43 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $782K | 6.3 modeled event-days a year |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $608K | once in about 750 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $12M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $117K | 4.4 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 James City 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 James City CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download James City County's FEMA declarations (CSV)18 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis