Middlesex County, Virginia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 51119 · population 10,607 · 130 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 277 records for Middlesex County, Virginia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 230 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (84 records). The most damaging was the September 18, 2003 hurricane ($25.7 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 24 declarations naming the county since 1972, 22 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
- 277on 230 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 05 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $66Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 11strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 24latest 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 Middlesex County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 84 since 1976. 42% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1976 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 | 84 | 63 | 1976-2025 | 0 | 5 | $652K | 15 of 96 |
| Winter storms | 75 | 75 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $120K | 8 of 96 |
| Heavy rain | 41 | 30 | 1998-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 of 96 |
| Floods | 21 | 19 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $14M | 32 of 96 |
| Hail | 18 | 15 | 1990-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 27 of 96 |
| Tornadoes | 11 | 9 | 1976-2025 | 0 | 0 | $9.1M | 2 of 96 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 8 | 8 | 1999-2023 | 0 | 0 | $31M | 4 of 96 |
| Heat | 5 | 5 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 22 of 96 |
| High wind and dust storms | 5 | 5 | 1996-2018 | 0 | 0 | $7.4M | 48 of 96 |
| Lightning | 3 | 3 | 1996-2010 | 0 | 0 | $408K | 17 of 96 |
| Drought | 2 | 2 | 1998-1998 | 0 | 0 | $3.6M | 48 of 96 |
| Extreme cold | 2 | 2 | 2003-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 45 of 96 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2009-2022 | 0 | 0 | – | 28 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 Middlesex County had?
NOAA records 11 tornadoes in Middlesex County from 1976 to 2025, the strongest rated F3, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 2nd of 96 Virginia counties and 198th of 3,080 U.S. 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 11 tornadoes whose track touched Middlesex County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 11, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-08-06 12:00, as SPC files it | Urbanna | F3 | 2.9 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Virginia.
Every tornado record filed for Middlesex County (11)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-09 | Ruark, Middlesex County | EF0 0.46 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $35K |
| 2018-10-11 | Jamaica, Middlesex County | EF0 0.26 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2016-02-24 | Morattico, Middlesex County | EF0 2.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $12K |
| 2016-02-24 | Warner, Middlesex County | EF1 4.01 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $832K |
| 2011-04-16 | Samos, Middlesex County | EF1 1.06 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $131K |
| 2011-04-16 | Ruark, Middlesex County | EF2 2.8 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $7.9M |
| 2005-07-08 | Saluda, Middlesex County | F1 3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2000-07-14 | Deltaville, Middlesex County | F0 0.5 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1993-08-06 | Urbanna, Middlesex County | F3 2.9 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $102K |
| 1981-05-11 | Middlesex County | F2 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1976-07-15 | Middlesex County | F1 | 0 | 0 | – |
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 Middlesex County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the November 9, 2025 tornado ($35,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
A velocity enhancement from a severe storm crossing the Piankatank River likely formed a waterspout over the river before moving onshore of Bland Point in Deltaville around 935 PM EST. A large oak tree fell on and caused damage to a pool and pool furniture. As the tornado moved almost due east, it twisted and snapped several trees and large branches. Some pine tree branches were blown into a nearby house, breaking two large windows and a wooden window frame. The wind was strong enough to embed small pine twigs and branches into the stucco siding of the house. Additionally, a picnic table at this property was broken into pieces and thrown roughly 20 to 30 feet. A patch of shingles was damaged from a garage attached to another house at the apex of Bland Point. At this location, a sliding glass door frame was pushed inward. …
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1298689)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-09 | TornadoRuark, Middlesex County | EF0 0.46 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $35K |
| 2025-10-28 | Coastal FloodMiddlesex County · forecast zone Middlesex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-12 | Coastal FloodMiddlesex County · forecast zone Middlesex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-02 | Coastal FloodMiddlesex County · forecast zone Middlesex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-08-21 | Coastal FloodMiddlesex County · forecast zone Middlesex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-27 | Excessive HeatMiddlesex County · forecast zone Middlesex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-19 | Thunderstorm WindRemlik, Middlesex County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-07-19 | Thunderstorm WindRemlik, Middlesex County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-06-23 | Excessive HeatMiddlesex County · forecast zone Middlesex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-19 | Thunderstorm WindHardyville, Middlesex County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-05-22 | HailDeltaville, Middlesex County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-03-05 | Thunderstorm WindHartfield, Middlesex County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $6K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989-05-02 | Thunderstorm WindMiddlesex County | 0 | 3 | – | |
| 1995-11-11 | Thunderstorm WindNear Hartfield, Middlesex County Near Hartfield, four mobile homes overturned and severely damaged and destroyed, five others damaged. Two minor injuries. Several trees down. Tree uprooted onto house in Urbanna. | 0 | 2 | $97K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-09-18 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Middlesex County · forecast zone Middlesex | 0 | 0 | $26M | |
| 2006-09-01 | Coastal FloodMiddlesex County · forecast zone Middlesex | 0 | 0 | $13M | |
| 2011-04-16 | TornadoRuark, Middlesex County | EF2 2.8 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $7.9M |
| 1999-09-15 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Middlesex County · forecast zone Middlesex | 0 | 0 | $4.1M | |
| 2011-08-27 | Tropical StormMiddlesex County · forecast zone Middlesex | 0 | 0 | $1.6M | |
| 2016-02-24 | TornadoWarner, Middlesex County | EF1 4.01 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $832K |
| 1996-07-18 | LightningDeltaville, Middlesex County | 0 | 0 | $376K | |
| 2011-04-16 | TornadoSamos, Middlesex County | EF1 1.06 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $131K |
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 $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 11, 1981 (tornado, Middlesex 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 Middlesex 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 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 29 | 18 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 5 | 26 | 31 | 13 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 2 | 3 | 12 | 24 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 4 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 2 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
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 1976 fell in July and August. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 35 · Feb 27 · Mar 22 · Apr 13 · May 17 · Jun 22 · Jul 50 · Aug 29 · Sep 22 · Oct 19 · Nov 9 · Dec 12 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Middlesex County
FEMA's register lists 24 declarations that include Middlesex County: 15 major disasters, 9 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (11) and snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-23 | EM-3631 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2021-05-10 | DR-4602 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 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 |
| 2012-11-26 | DR-4092 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 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 |
| 1999-09-16 | EM-3147 | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Emergency 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) |
| 1994-03-10 | DR-1014 | Snowstorm | Severe Ice Storms, Flooding |
| 1993-03-25 | EM-3112 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 1985-11-09 | DR-755 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-07-23 | EM-3046 | Drought | Drought |
| 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 Middlesex County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 21 flood or flash flood records for Middlesex County from 1996 to 2025, on 19 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Middlesex County ranks 865th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Sandy | 2012-10-28 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Irene | 2011-08-27 | 1 | 0 |
| Tropical Depression Ernesto | 2006-09-01 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Isabel | 2003-09-18 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Floyd | 1999-09-15 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $3.2 million on 234 claims filed in Middlesex County; the most in one year was 100 in 2003. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 2 · 1979: 1 · 1984: 3 · 1985: 5 · 1992: 2 · 1995: 1 · 1996: 5 · 1997: 1 · 1998: 8 · 1999: 11 · 2000: 2 · 2001: 1 · 2003: 100 · 2004: 1 · 2006: 65 · 2009: 11 · 2010: 1 · 2011: 7 · 2015: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2022: 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 Middlesex County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Middlesex 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate | $3.0M | once in about 6 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $606K | 2.6 modeled event-days a year |
| Coastal Flooding | Relatively Low | $287K | 3.7 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $48K | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $276K | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $91K | once in about 775 years (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $11K | once in about 5,983 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | $89K | 5.3 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Middlesex 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 Middlesex CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Middlesex County's FEMA declarations (CSV)24 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis