Johnson County, Tennessee
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 47091 · population 17,932 · 298 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 230 records for Johnson County, Tennessee from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 204 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (89 records). The deadliest single record is the April 27, 2011 tornado: 2 deaths and $1.3 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 20 declarations naming the county since 1973, 18 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on February 6, 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
- 230on 204 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 43 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $11Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 3strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 20latest 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 Johnson County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 89 since 1996. 58% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. The rank column places the county among Tennessee'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 89 | 84 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 0 | $27K | 6 of 95 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 71 | 62 | 1963-2025 | 0 | 0 | $831K | 87 of 95 |
| Floods | 26 | 23 | 1997-2024 | 1 | 0 | $8.5M | 49 of 95 |
| Hail | 23 | 21 | 1957-2015 | 0 | 0 | $10K | 90 of 95 |
| High wind and dust storms | 15 | 14 | 2000-2024 | 0 | 0 | $227K | 10 of 95 |
| Tornadoes | 3 | 3 | 1998-2017 | 2 | 3 | $1.7M | 87 of 95 |
| Drought | 1 | 1 | 1998-1998 | 0 | 0 | – | 71 of 95 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2007-2007 | 0 | 0 | $7K | 33 of 95 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 1 | 1 | 2004-2004 | 0 | 0 | $23K | 16 of 95 |
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 Johnson County had?
NOAA records 3 tornadoes in Johnson County from 1998 to 2017, the strongest rated EF2, with 2 deaths and 3 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 3 tornadoes whose track touched Johnson County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 3, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 2 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-04-27 21:45, as SPC files it | Mountain | EF2 | 12 mi | 2 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Tennessee.
Every tornado record filed for Johnson County (3)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-05-12 | Shady Vly, Johnson County | EF0 0.13 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-04-27 | Doeville, Johnson County | EF2 12 mi x 250 yd | 2 | 0 | $1.3M |
| 1998-06-03 | Doeville, Johnson County | F1 8.5 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 3 | $362K |
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 Johnson County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the January 24, 2026 winter weather (1 death).
Two bouts of winter weather occurred in Johnson County, with the Coop observer in Mountain City reporting 2.6 inches of snowfall. Freezing rain likely occurred, but no direct measurements were reported.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1315047)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-16 | Winter WeatherJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-22 | Winter WeatherJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-30 | Heavy SnowJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter WeatherJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-17 | Winter WeatherJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-10 | Heavy SnowJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-02 | Thunderstorm WindMountain City, Johnson County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-03-31 | Thunderstorm WindMountain City, Johnson County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-19 | Winter WeatherJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-01-19 | Heavy SnowJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-01-10 | Heavy SnowJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-09-27 | Flash FloodTrade, Johnson County | 1 | 0 | $6.1M |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-04-27 | TornadoDoeville, Johnson County A NWS storm survey reported an EF2 tornado touched down near Butler. It had a path length of 12 miles and a path width of 250 yards. The max wind of 120 mph destroyed homes and buildings and downed numerous trees. In addition, 2 women died. A 54 year old woman died in her home in the Doe Valley community and a 53 year ... | EF2 12 mi x 250 yd | 2 | 0 | $1.3M |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter WeatherJohnson County · forecast zone Johnson Two bouts of winter weather occurred in Johnson County, with the Coop observer in Mountain City reporting 2.6 inches of snowfall. Freezing rain likely occurred, but no direct measurements were reported. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-09-27 | Flash FloodTrade, Johnson County Reports of water rescues in Trade were received at 8:30 am EST. By 9:30 am EST, multiple structures had been damaged by flood waters throughout Trade. Damaging flood waters occurred in Mountain City and northward through Laurel Bloomery through the morning. Employees at the Parkdale Plant between Mountain City and ... | 1 | 0 | $6.1M | |
| 1998-06-03 | TornadoDoeville, Johnson County This is a continuation of the tornado originating in Carter County. The tornado's path continued to be intermittent. Near the community of Pandora, numerous trees were blown down or snapped off along hillsides and in river bottoms. Some trees were 1.5 feet in diameter. One home was totally destroyed, along with a ... | F1 8.5 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 3 | $362K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-27 | Flash FloodTrade, Johnson County | 1 | 0 | $6.1M | |
| 2011-04-27 | TornadoDoeville, Johnson County | EF2 12 mi x 250 yd | 2 | 0 | $1.3M |
| 2019-02-23 | FloodNeva, Johnson County | 0 | 0 | $1.0M | |
| 1998-01-07 | Flash FloodCountywide, Johnson County | 0 | 0 | $905K | |
| 1998-06-03 | TornadoDoeville, Johnson County | F1 8.5 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 3 | $362K |
| 2005-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindMountain City, Johnson County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $18K |
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 Johnson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 12 | 37 | 22 | 18 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 29 | 22 | 8 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 4 | 12 | 4 | 6 |
| Hail | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 9 | 5 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
58% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 32 · Feb 34 · Mar 13 · Apr 11 · May 28 · Jun 32 · Jul 20 · Aug 12 · Sep 10 · Oct 4 · Nov 7 · Dec 27 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Johnson County
FEMA's register lists 20 declarations that include Johnson County: 14 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (7) and flood (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-06 | DR-4898 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3635 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2025-04-02 | EM-3625 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2024-10-02 | DR-4832 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| 2024-09-27 | EM-3620 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| 2023-04-07 | DR-4701 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes |
| 2020-04-02 | DR-4514 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3473 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-04-17 | DR-4427 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2011-05-01 | DR-1974 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3217 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-10-07 | DR-1568 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2003-03-20 | DR-1456 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2001-08-15 | DR-1387 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1998-01-13 | DR-1197 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1994-04-14 | DR-1022 | Flood | Extensive Rainfall and Flash Flooding |
| 1993-03-14 | EM-3095 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall, Winter Storm |
| 1977-11-12 | DR-544 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1974-04-04 | DR-424 | Tornado | Tornadoes |
| 1973-03-21 | DR-366 | Flood | Heavy Rains & 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 Johnson County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 26 flood or flash flood records for Johnson County from 1997 to 2024, on 23 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Johnson County ranks 1655th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm Helene | 2024-09-27 | 1 | 1 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.2 million on 51 claims filed in Johnson County; the most in one year was 33 in 2024. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1981: 1 · 1984: 1 · 1995: 1 · 1997: 1 · 2001: 1 · 2003: 3 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 5 · 2017: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 33; 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 Johnson County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Johnson County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $5.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $39K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $1.0M | 3.3 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $137K | 49 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $79K | 22 modeled event-days a year |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $3.8M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $29K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $228K | 2.7 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $19K | 17 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 Johnson 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 TennesseeEvery Tennessee tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Winter storms in TennesseeThe state's winter storm records, by county, year and month
- The Tennessee recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Johnson CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Johnson County's FEMA declarations (CSV)20 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis