Marshall County, Tennessee

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 47117 · population 34,318 · 375 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 372 records for Marshall County, Tennessee from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 278 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (132 records). The deadliest single record is the February 29, 1952 tornado: 3 deaths and 166 injuries. FEMA has issued 17 declarations naming the county since 1973, 15 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
372on 278 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
7182 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$9.7Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
20strongest EF3
FEMA declarations
17latest 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 Marshall County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 132 since 1967. 42% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1967 fell in May and June. 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.

Marshall County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 132 96 1967-2026 0 0 $1.8M 72 of 95
Hail 65 44 1974-2025 0 0 $12K 37 of 95
Winter storms 54 49 1996-2026 2 0 $171K 45 of 95
Floods 40 39 1996-2024 1 9 $1.9M 27 of 95
Drought 38 38 2007-2026 0 0 $6K 13 of 95
Tornadoes 20 18 1952-2025 3 173 $4.9M 19 of 95
Lightning 7 7 1999-2017 1 0 $384K 15 of 95
High wind and dust storms 6 6 2004-2023 0 0 $510K 60 of 95
Heat 5 5 2010-2025 0 0 – 29 of 95
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 4 4 2001-2016 0 0 – 16 of 95
Extreme cold 1 1 2022-2022 0 0 – 55 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 Marshall County had?

NOAA records 20 tornadoes in Marshall County from 1952 to 2025, the strongest rated EF3, with 3 deaths and 173 injuries recorded in the county. That is 19th of 95 Tennessee 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 22 tornadoes whose track touched Marshall County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 20: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 4 people, 3 of them in Marshall County.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Marshall County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1952-02-29 16:00, as SPC files itUnnamedF10.1 mi3
2024-05-08 16:37, as SPC files itColumbiaEF311.53 mi1

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Tennessee.

Every tornado record filed for Marshall County (20)
Every tornado recorded in Marshall County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2025-05-20 Verona, Marshall County EF0 1.42 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $250K
2024-05-08 Lunns Store, Marshall County EF3 0.6 mi x 900 yd 0 0 $235K
2023-04-01 Thick, Marshall County EF1 5.56 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $969K
2023-02-16 Verona, Marshall County EF1 1.41 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $48K
2019-12-16 Yell, Marshall County EF0 3.45 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $17K
2017-03-09 Belfast, Marshall County EF0 3.15 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $30K
2011-04-27 Holtland, Marshall County EF1 2.89 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $114K
2008-04-11 Lewisburg, Marshall County EF0 0.1 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $1K
1997-01-24 Lewisburg, Marshall County F1 2.4 mi x 60 yd 0 0 $184K
1996-04-20 Waco, Marshall County F2 1.5 mi x 440 yd 0 0 –
1992-08-27 Marshall County F0 0.2 mi x 13 yd 0 4 $3K step
1984-05-07 Marshall County F1 2 mi x 60 yd 0 0 $250K step
1984-05-07 Marshall County F1 0 0 –
1982-04-17 Marshall County F1 0.8 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $25K step
1980-04-08 Marshall County F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $250 step
1978-04-18 Marshall County F1 0 0 $25K step
1974-04-03 Marshall County F1 26.1 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $250K step
1974-04-03 Marshall County F1 6.5 mi x 200 yd 0 2 $25K step
1960-03-30 Marshall County F2 8.2 mi x 33 yd 0 1 $25K step
1952-02-29 Marshall County F1 0.1 mi x 100 yd 3 166 $25K 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 Marshall County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the April 16, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($10,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The 12 most recent records kept for Marshall County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-05-01 DroughtMarshall County · forecast zone Marshall 0 0 –
2026-04-16 Thunderstorm WindChapel Hill, Marshall County 52 kt wind 0 0 $10K
2026-04-01 DroughtMarshall County · forecast zone Marshall 0 0 –
2026-03-11 Thunderstorm WindBelfast, Marshall County 52 kt wind 0 0 $2K
2026-03-11 Thunderstorm WindCornersville, Marshall County 52 kt wind 0 0 $2K
2026-01-24 Winter StormMarshall County · forecast zone Marshall 0 0 –
2025-12-18 Thunderstorm WindChapel Hill, Marshall County 56 kt wind 0 0 $15K
2025-07-29 Excessive HeatMarshall County · forecast zone Marshall 0 0 –
2025-05-25 Thunderstorm WindLewisburg, Marshall County 52 kt wind 0 0 $10K
2025-05-20 TornadoVerona, Marshall County EF0 1.42 mi x 300 yd 0 0 $250K
2025-05-02 HailLewisburg, Marshall County 1.00 in hail 0 0 –
2025-03-15 Thunderstorm WindCornersville, Marshall County 52 kt wind 0 0 $10K

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

Records with deaths or injuries in Marshall County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1952-02-29 TornadoMarshall County F1 0.1 mi x 100 yd 3 166 $25K step
2024-01-17 Winter WeatherMarshall County · forecast zone Marshall Frigid temperatures in Marshall County led to the death of a 25-year-old man inside his mobile home off Nashville Highway. Responders discovered the deceased man on Wednesday, January 17th inside his mobile home, and he is suspected to have died from hypothermia. Ice was found inside his home as was an overturned ... 1 0 –
2024-01-14 Heavy SnowMarshall County · forecast zone Marshall Heavy snow fell across Marshall County with various sources reporting 4 to 7 inches of snow. The highest snow report received was in Lewisburg where a resident measured 6.9 inches of snow. This heavy snow was responsible for one indirect fatality in Marshall County on Monday, January 15th when a motorist got stuck in ... 1 0 –
2009-09-22 LightningChapel Hill, Marshall County Lightning from a thunderstorm struck a utility pole at the end of a 83 year old man's driveway. The lightning's charge went to the man's house and started a fire, that destroyed most of the home, and also killed the man. 1 0 $206K
2002-03-17 Flash FloodCountywide, Marshall County Flooding of many highways across the county. At 215 AM, according to TEMA, a 17 year-old male was swept away as he and two other teens tried to push a stalled pick up truck across flooded Old Belfast Rd. The teen either slipped off the side of the road or stepped off the side of the road. His body was found 200 yards ... 1 0 –
2002-01-24 Flash FloodFarmington, Marshall County Sheriff reported back roads still closed. 14 homes, 27 trailers, and 3 businesses were damaged. 88 people had to be evacuated. 0 9 –
1992-08-27 TornadoMarshall County F0 0.2 mi x 13 yd 0 4 $3K step
1974-04-03 TornadoMarshall County F1 6.5 mi x 200 yd 0 2 $25K 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.

The costliest records in Marshall County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2023-04-01 TornadoThick, Marshall County EF1 5.56 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $969K
2003-05-05 Flash FloodCountywide, Marshall County 0 0 $520K
2024-05-09 Thunderstorm WindCochran, Marshall County 65 kt wind 0 0 $470K
2009-05-02 Flash FloodHardison Mill, Marshall County 0 0 $413K
2009-09-22 LightningChapel Hill, Marshall County 1 0 $206K
1997-01-24 TornadoLewisburg, Marshall County F1 2.4 mi x 60 yd 0 0 $184K
2011-04-27 TornadoHoltland, Marshall County EF1 2.89 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $114K
2017-03-09 Thunderstorm WindDuncanville, Marshall County 87 kt wind 0 0 $90K

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: April 3, 1974 (tornado, Marshall County); May 7, 1984 (tornado, Marshall 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 Marshall 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).

Marshall County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind021424283835
Hail00121326149
Winter storms––––3927 z15
Floods––––518107
Drought––––013718
Tornadoes11343134

Winter storms in the 2010s: 27 records against 9 in the decade before, 27 of them forecast-zone records. Cells marked z rose mostly through zone records. The local National Weather Service office files these once per forecast zone, so a change in how it draws its zones or splits a storm into records moves this count as much as the weather does; read it beside the Marshall County days with a record above.

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).

What time of year?

42% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1967 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 29 · Feb 38 · Mar 58 · Apr 39 · May 59 · Jun 34 · Jul 40 · Aug 20 · Sep 9 · Oct 7 · Nov 13 · Dec 26 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Marshall County

FEMA's register lists 17 declarations that include Marshall County: 13 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (8) and winter storm (2).

Declarations including Marshall County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2026-02-06DR-4898Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2026-01-24EM-3635Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2025-04-02EM-3625Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2020-04-02DR-4514BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3473BiologicalCovid-19
2019-04-17DR-4427FloodSevere Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
2015-04-02DR-4211Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm and Flooding
2011-05-01DR-1974Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding
2010-05-04DR-1909Severe StormSevere Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes
2005-09-05EM-3217HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2003-05-08DR-1464Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2002-11-13DR-1441Severe StormSevere Storms and Tornados
2002-04-05DR-1408Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
1999-01-15DR-1260Severe StormSevere Winter Storm
1994-02-28DR-1010Severe StormSevere Winter Ice Storm,Flash Flooding
1974-04-04DR-424TornadoTornadoes
1973-03-21DR-366FloodHeavy 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 Marshall County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 40 flood or flash flood records for Marshall County from 1996 to 2024, on 39 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Marshall County ranks 1660th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $527,000 on 50 claims filed in Marshall County; the most in one year was 10 in 2002. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1989: 3 · 1991: 2 · 1996: 2 · 1999: 7 · 2000: 2 · 2001: 1 · 2002: 10 · 2003: 10 · 2004: 2 · 2009: 1 · 2010: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2025: 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 Marshall County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Marshall County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $19.7 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Marshall County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
TornadoRelatively Moderate$4.5Monce in about 3 years (modeled)
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$2.8M1.1 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$821K6.6 a year (modeled)
EarthquakeRelatively Low$1.7Monce in about 305 years (modeled)
Riverine FloodingRelatively Low$9.1M1.4 a year (modeled)
Ice StormRelatively Low$108Kabout once a year (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively Low$63K4.7 a year (modeled)
LightningRelatively Low$195K61 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 Marshall County

  1. Williamson County 915
  2. Rutherford County 903
  3. Lincoln County 800
  4. Maury County 639
  5. Bedford County 486
  6. Giles County 422
  7. Marshall County 372

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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