La Salle County, Texas
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 48283 · population 6,631 · 1,487 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 370 records for La Salle County, Texas from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 315 days; the most frequent are drought records (108 records). 205 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The most damaging was the August 1, 2022 drought ($2.9 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 19 declarations naming the county since 1967, 17 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding” on September 1, 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
- 370on 315 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 05 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $7.6Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 10strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 19latest 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 La Salle County most?
The most frequent records are drought records: 108 since 1996. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | 108 | 108 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $2.9M | 143 of 254 |
| Hail | 67 | 51 | 1957-2024 | 0 | 0 | $342K | 240 of 254 |
| Heat | 57 | 57 | 2006-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 84 of 254 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 49 | 40 | 1962-2025 | 0 | 2 | $116K | 236 of 254 |
| Floods | 36 | 27 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | $325K | 204 of 254 |
| Extreme cold | 20 | 15 | 2010-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 58 of 254 |
| Tornadoes | 10 | 8 | 1955-2016 | 0 | 3 | $3.9M | 233 of 254 |
| Wildfires | 9 | 9 | 2008-2022 | 0 | 0 | – | 77 of 254 |
| Winter storms | 7 | 7 | 2004-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 238 of 254 |
| High wind and dust storms | 4 | 4 | 2003-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 150 of 254 |
| Heavy rain | 2 | 2 | 2013-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 130 of 254 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2017-2017 | 0 | 0 | $60K | 155 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 La Salle County had?
NOAA records 10 tornadoes in La Salle County from 1955 to 2016, the strongest rated F2, with 0 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 9 tornadoes whose track touched La Salle County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 10: 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 La Salle County (10)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-04-17 | Los Angeles, La Salle County | EF0 0.02 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-05-15 | Gardendale, La Salle County | EF0 0.78 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $62K |
| 2015-05-15 | Woodward, La Salle County | EF1 2.26 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 1 | $125K |
| 2012-05-10 | Woodward, La Salle County | EF0 10.27 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 2 | $64K |
| 1980-05-15 | La Salle County | F1 0.5 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1980-05-15 | La Salle County | F1 0.5 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1977-05-20 | La Salle County | F1 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1972-08-11 | La Salle County | F1 0.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1968-11-26 | La Salle County | F1 1 mi x 23 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1955-06-05 | La Salle County | F2 3.6 mi x 33 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 La Salle County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the May 8, 2025 thunderstorm wind ($24,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-15 | High WindLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-01 | DroughtLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-01 | DroughtLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-01 | Cold/Wind ChillLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-28 | Frost/FreezeLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-27 | Cold/Wind ChillLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-26 | Frost/FreezeLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Frost/FreezeLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Frost/FreezeLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-05-10 | TornadoWoodward, La Salle County Tornado touched down along Farm to Market Road 468 near the Dimmit County line. The tornado flipped an 18 wheeler then proceeded northeast about 5 miles. The tornado then crossed Farm to Market Road 469 and struck an oil hydraulic fracturing flow back site. The tornado flipped one RV trailer at the site. Two people ... | EF0 10.27 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 2 | $64K |
| 1990-02-01 | Thunderstorm WindLa Salle County | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2015-05-15 | TornadoWoodward, La Salle County NWS storm survey confirmed an EF-1 tornado caused damage on a private ranch in rural northwest La Salle County. The tornado touched down near Johnson Ranch Road just northeast of Farm to Market Road 468. A rancher was thrown from his barn and landed on top of his trailer. Numerous large trees were snapped at their ... | EF1 2.26 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 1 | $125K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-08-01 | DroughtLa Salle County · forecast zone La Salle | 0 | 0 | $2.9M | |
| 2023-03-17 | HailCotulla, La Salle County | 4.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $291K |
| 2015-05-15 | TornadoWoodward, La Salle County | EF1 2.26 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 1 | $125K |
| 2012-05-10 | TornadoWoodward, La Salle County | EF0 10.27 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 2 | $64K |
| 2015-05-15 | TornadoGardendale, La Salle County | EF0 0.78 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $62K |
| 2025-05-08 | Thunderstorm WindCotulla, La Salle County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $24K |
| 2023-03-17 | HailLa Salle Co Airport, La Salle County | 2.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | $2K |
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 5, 1955 (tornado, La Salle County); May 15, 1980 (tornado, La Salle 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 La Salle 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 1 | 29 | 36 | 42 |
| Hail | 2 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 10 | 21 | 12 | 5 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 0 | 1 | 0 | 56 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 16 | 10 | 11 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 15 | 16 | 2 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in La Salle County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 32 · Feb 25 · Mar 31 · Apr 46 · May 69 · Jun 55 · Jul 32 · Aug 24 · Sep 24 · Oct 13 · Nov 6 · Dec 13 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for La Salle County
FEMA's register lists 19 declarations that include La Salle County: 10 major disasters, 8 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for hurricane (5) and fire (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-01 | DR-4935 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2026-07-18 | EM-3649 | Flood | Flooding |
| 2021-02-19 | DR-4586 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 2021-02-14 | EM-3554 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2020-07-26 | EM-3530 | Hurricane | Hurricane Hanna |
| 2020-03-25 | DR-4485 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3458 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2011-09-09 | DR-4029 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 2008-03-15 | FM-2753 | Fire | 322 Fire |
| 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 |
| 2002-09-26 | DR-1434 | Coastal Storm | Tropical Storm Fay |
| 2002-07-04 | DR-1425 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1998-08-26 | DR-1239 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Charley |
| 1993-09-10 | EM-3113 | Drought | Extreme Fire Hazard |
| 1967-09-28 | DR-232 | Hurricane | Hurricane Beulah |
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 La Salle County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 36 flood or flash flood records for La Salle County from 1996 to 2022, on 27 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), La Salle County ranks 2105th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $114,000 on 19 claims filed in La Salle County; the most in one year was 7 in 2004. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2002: 6 · 2003: 2 · 2004: 7 · 2012: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2016: 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 La Salle County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates La Salle County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $4.3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $1.8M | 1.5 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $424K | 8.7 modeled event-days a year |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $70K | once in about 395 years (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $162K | once in about 19 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $67K | 98 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Very Low | $56K | 1 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Very Low | $190K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | $13K | once in about 11 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with La Salle 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
- Drought in TexasThe state's drought records, 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 La Salle CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download La Salle County's FEMA declarations (CSV)19 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis