Lee County, Virginia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 51105 · population 22,166 · 435 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 393 records for Lee County, Virginia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 285 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (162 records). The most damaging was the March 2, 2012 tornado ($2.1 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 20 declarations naming the county since 1976, 18 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
- 393on 285 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 01 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $5.8Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 8strongest EF1
- 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 Lee County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 162 since 1974. 41% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1974 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 | 162 | 121 | 1974-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.5M | 59 of 96 |
| Winter storms | 110 | 93 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $34K | 55 of 96 |
| Hail | 62 | 44 | 1968-2025 | 0 | 0 | $18K | 38 of 96 |
| Floods | 25 | 19 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.8M | 86 of 96 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 13 | 13 | 2011-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 24 of 96 |
| Tornadoes | 8 | 5 | 1974-2023 | 0 | 1 | $2.3M | 66 of 96 |
| High wind and dust storms | 7 | 6 | 2006-2024 | 0 | 0 | $128K | 74 of 96 |
| Extreme cold | 3 | 3 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 82 of 96 |
| Heat | 3 | 3 | 2011-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 65 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 Lee County had?
NOAA records 8 tornadoes in Lee County from 1974 to 2023, the strongest rated EF1, 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 8 tornadoes whose track touched Lee County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 8, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Virginia.
Every tornado record filed for Lee County (8)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-05-16 | Dot, Lee County | EF1 0.55 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-05-16 | Ben Hur, Lee County | EF1 0.15 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2012-03-02 | Mc Connels, Lee County | EF1 0.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $129K |
| 2012-03-02 | Caylor, Lee County | EF1 2.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $2.1M |
| 2009-06-16 | Jonesville, Lee County | EF0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $7K |
| 2004-05-26 | Jonesville, Lee County | F1 1.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $39K |
| 2004-05-26 | Rose Hill, Lee County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $19K |
| 1974-04-04 | Lee County | F0 8.6 mi x 17 yd | 0 | 0 | $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 Lee County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 2, 2012 tornado ($129,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
The EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 95 mph produced a damage path about 100 yards wide. The tornado occurred about three miles southeast of Jonesville, along the banks of the Powell River. A mobile home was pulled fifteen feet off its foundation and heavily damaged. Also, a camper was rolled 40 feet and several outbuildings were either heavily damaged or destroyed.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 365154)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-12 | Thunderstorm WindEwing, Lee County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-16 | Winter WeatherLee County · forecast zone Lee | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindStone Creek, Lee County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-22 | Winter WeatherLee County · forecast zone Lee | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-30 | Heavy SnowLee County · forecast zone Lee | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter WeatherLee County · forecast zone Lee | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-16 | Winter WeatherLee County · forecast zone Lee | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-11 | Winter WeatherLee County · forecast zone Lee | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-11-10 | Winter WeatherLee County · forecast zone Lee | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-26 | Thunderstorm WindJonesville, Lee County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-17 | Thunderstorm WindVan Deventer, Lee County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-17 | Thunderstorm WindSeminary, Lee County | 52 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-03-02 | TornadoCaylor, Lee County The EF1 tornado with maximum winds at 110 mph started in Claiborne County, TN, then moved northeast into Lee County. The tornado had a maximum path width of 200 yards. In Lee County the damage included two houses destroyed, four houses damaged. About 20 barns and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed along with miles ... | EF1 2.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $2.1M |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-03-02 | TornadoCaylor, Lee County | EF1 2.5 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $2.1M |
| 2002-03-17 | FloodLee County · forecast zone Lee | 0 | 0 | $1.6M | |
| 2012-03-02 | TornadoMc Connels, Lee County | EF1 0.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $129K |
| 2006-07-04 | Thunderstorm WindCountywide, Lee County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $44K |
| 2004-05-26 | TornadoJonesville, Lee County | F1 1.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $39K |
| 2004-05-31 | Thunderstorm WindCountywide, Lee County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $31K |
| 2005-08-05 | Thunderstorm WindJonesville, Lee County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $23K |
| 2004-05-26 | TornadoRose Hill, Lee County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $19K |
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: April 4, 1974 (tornado, Lee 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 Lee 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 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 61 | 55 | 23 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 12 | 28 | 50 | 20 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 27 | 14 | 8 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 10 | 4 | 8 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
41% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1974 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 46 · Feb 46 · Mar 33 · Apr 31 · May 57 · Jun 36 · Jul 50 · Aug 30 · Sep 10 · Oct 7 · Nov 12 · Dec 35 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Lee County
FEMA's register lists 20 declarations that include Lee County: 13 major disasters, 7 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (6) and snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-23 | EM-3631 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2025-04-04 | DR-4863 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 2024-10-01 | DR-4831 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| 2020-04-02 | DR-4512 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3448 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-09-11 | EM-3403 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2012-10-29 | EM-3359 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2010-02-16 | DR-1874 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2005-09-12 | EM-3240 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-06-15 | DR-1525 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2003-03-27 | DR-1458 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Record/Near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,Floodind, and Mudslide |
| 2002-04-02 | DR-1406 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2001-07-12 | DR-1386 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2000-02-28 | DR-1318 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1086 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) |
| 1994-03-10 | DR-1014 | Snowstorm | Severe Ice Storms, Flooding |
| 1993-03-25 | EM-3112 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 1977-11-12 | DR-543 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-04-07 | DR-530 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1976-10-15 | EM-3018 | Drought | Drought |
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 Lee County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 25 flood or flash flood records for Lee County from 1996 to 2025, on 19 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Lee County ranks 1660th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $733,000 on 50 claims filed in Lee County; the most in one year was 22 in 2002. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 7 · 1982: 1 · 1984: 1 · 1991: 1 · 1994: 1 · 1998: 2 · 2001: 3 · 2002: 22 · 2003: 5 · 2004: 1 · 2009: 1 · 2010: 1 · 2013: 2 · 2021: 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 Lee County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lee County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $11.4 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 | $61K | 1.5 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $59K | 12 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $396K | 4.7 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $252K | once in about 186 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $8.6M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low | $3K | once in about 100 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $937K | 1.4 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $271K | once in about 372 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Lee 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 Lee CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Lee County's FEMA declarations (CSV)20 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis