Montgomery County, New York
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 36057 · population 49,489 · 403 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 968 records for Montgomery County, New York from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 636 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (343 records). The deadliest single record is the March 5, 2007 winter weather, filed for the forecast zone Montgomery, which covers the county: 2 deaths. FEMA has issued 26 declarations naming the county since 1987, 22 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Henri” on August 22, 2021.
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
- 968on 636 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 42 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $85Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 10strongest F4
- FEMA declarations
- 26latest 2021
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 Montgomery County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 343 since 1964. 51% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1964 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among New York'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 | 343 | 164 | 1964-2026 | 0 | 1 | $4.5M | 7 of 58 |
| Winter storms | 199 | 193 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 0 | $556K | 5 of 58 |
| Floods | 148 | 88 | 1996-2025 | 2 | 0 | $17M | 6 of 58 |
| High wind and dust storms | 90 | 85 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $699K | 4 of 58 |
| Extreme cold | 66 | 64 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 of 58 |
| Hail | 60 | 34 | 1977-2023 | 0 | 0 | $12K | 20 of 58 |
| Heat | 38 | 38 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 of 58 |
| Tornadoes | 10 | 9 | 1989-2020 | 0 | 0 | $60M | 7 of 58 |
| Lightning | 7 | 7 | 1997-2020 | 0 | 1 | $106K | 17 of 58 |
| Drought | 2 | 2 | 1999-1999 | 0 | 0 | – | 34 of 58 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2004-2011 | 0 | 0 | – | 10 of 58 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2001-2001 | 0 | 0 | $1.7M | 40 of 58 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 1 | 1 | 2011-2011 | 0 | 0 | – | 14 of 58 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2002-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 5 of 58 |
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 Montgomery County had?
NOAA records 10 tornadoes in Montgomery County from 1989 to 2020, the strongest rated F4, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 7th of 58 New York 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 10 tornadoes whose track touched Montgomery County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 10, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989-07-10 11:27, as SPC files it | Schoharie | F4 | 42 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in New York.
Every tornado record filed for Montgomery County (10)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-10-07 | Ft Plain, Montgomery County | EF0 0.11 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $19K |
| 2013-05-29 | Scotch Bush, Montgomery County | EF1 0.58 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-09-22 | Auriesville, Montgomery County | EF0 0.73 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-09-04 | South Amsterdam, Montgomery County | EF1 2.2 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2010-08-03 | Auriesville, Montgomery County | EF1 0.2 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2010-08-03 | Auriesville, Montgomery County | EF1 0.21 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-05-01 | Tribes Hill, Montgomery County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $40K |
| 2002-06-16 | Amsterdam, Montgomery County | F0 3.2 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $123K |
| 1992-06-24 | Montgomery County | F1 2.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1989-07-10 | Montgomery County | F4 6 mi x 1,320 yd | 0 | 0 | $25M 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 Montgomery County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 7, 2025 flood ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-30 | Thunderstorm WindFultonville, Montgomery County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-30 | Thunderstorm WindFonda, Montgomery County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-30 | Thunderstorm WindFonda, Montgomery County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-30 | Thunderstorm WindFonda, Montgomery County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-30 | Thunderstorm WindGlen, Montgomery County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-30 | Thunderstorm WindHagaman, Montgomery County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-30 | Thunderstorm WindFonda, Montgomery County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-30 | Thunderstorm WindFonda, Montgomery County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindCanajoharie, Montgomery County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindCranesville, Montgomery County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindHagaman, Montgomery County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-16 | Strong WindMontgomery County · forecast zone Montgomery | 36 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-03-05 | Winter WeatherMontgomery County · forecast zone Montgomery Lake Effect snowbands, combined with gusty winds produced near whiteout conditions at times from Monday morning, into Monday evening on March 5th. Snowfall amounts generally ranged from 1 to 4 inches across Montgomery county. As a result of the poor visibilities and slippery road conditions, a seven vehicle crash ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2013-06-28 | Flash FloodFt Plain, Montgomery County Flash flooding occurred throughout Fort Plain due to heavy rainfall. Fifty to one hundred people were trapped in homes and water rescues needed to take place. Media reported up to two hundred homes were damaged or destroyed by flooding. Every road within the town was under water and some bridges were damaged or ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2011-08-28 | Flash FloodBurtonsville, Montgomery County Record flooding occurred along the Schoharie Creek in Montgomery County. Several homes on Colyer Road in Burtonsville were destroyed. On August 28th, Route 5S over the Schoharie Creek was closed and the New York State Thruway, I-90, was closed westbound at Exit 27 (Amsterdam-Route 5) and eastbound at Exit 28 ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2004-07-01 | LightningFultonville, Montgomery County Man transported to St. Mary's Hospital after experiencing a close lightning strike while driving along NYS Thruway. (Man was able to guide vehicle to median after the strike, was transported to the hospital, and was treated for light sensitivity.) | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 1998-05-29 | Thunderstorm WindAmsterdam, Montgomery County During the afternoon of May 29, a line of fast moving severe thunderstorms crossed eastern New York and produced damage in every county. This intense convection developed well ahead of a strong cold front. The storms resulted in one fatality and three injuries. An elderly man was instantly killed at Ellenville in ... | 0 | 1 | $4K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-01-19 | FloodMontgomery County · forecast zone Montgomery | 0 | 0 | $7.5M | |
| 1996-11-09 | FloodMontgomery County · forecast zone Montgomery | 0 | 0 | $3.8M | |
| 2001-04-08 | Heavy RainAmsterdam, Montgomery County | 0 | 0 | $1.7M | |
| 2001-08-20 | Flash FloodAmsterdam, Montgomery County | 0 | 0 | $1.7M | |
| 1998-09-07 | Thunderstorm WindSt Johnsville, Montgomery County | 0 | 0 | $543K | |
| 1998-01-08 | Flash FloodCountywide, Montgomery County | 0 | 0 | $453K | |
| 2008-07-23 | Flash FloodCranesville, Montgomery County | 0 | 0 | $411K | |
| 1996-11-09 | Flash FloodAmsterdam, Montgomery County | 0 | 0 | $376K |
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 $25M, in the dollars of the day) holds: July 10, 1989 (tornado, Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 | 3 | 3 | 28 | 79 | 46 | 91 | 93 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 15 | 62 | 58 | 64 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 20 | 54 | 50 | 24 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 10 | 18 | 24 | 38 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 1 | 14 | 33 | 18 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 21 | 19 | 6 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
51% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1964 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 113 · Feb 82 · Mar 49 · Apr 36 · May 88 · Jun 115 · Jul 162 · Aug 115 · Sep 40 · Oct 48 · Nov 44 · Dec 76 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Montgomery County
FEMA's register lists 26 declarations that include Montgomery County: 17 major disasters, 9 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (11) and hurricane (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-08-22 | EM-3565 | Hurricane | Hurricane Henri |
| 2020-03-20 | DR-4480 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3434 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-12-19 | DR-4472 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2017-07-12 | DR-4322 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2013-07-12 | DR-4129 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2012-10-28 | EM-3351 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2011-09-13 | DR-4031 | Severe Storm | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| 2011-09-08 | EM-3341 | Severe Storm | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| 2011-08-31 | DR-4020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2007-04-24 | DR-1692 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding |
| 2006-12-12 | DR-1670 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2006-07-01 | DR-1650 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-30 | EM-3262 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-04-19 | DR-1589 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2004-08-03 | DR-1534 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2003-08-29 | DR-1486 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| 2003-08-23 | EM-3186 | Other | Power Outage |
| 2003-02-25 | EM-3173 | Snowstorm | Snowstorms |
| 2001-09-11 | DR-1391 | Fire | Fires and Explosions |
| 2000-10-11 | EM-3155 | Other | West Nile Virus |
| 2000-07-21 | DR-1335 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1996-12-09 | DR-1148 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms High Winds, Rain and Flooding |
| 1996-01-24 | DR-1095 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1993-03-17 | EM-3107 | Snowstorm | Severe Blizzard |
| 1987-05-15 | DR-792 | Flood | 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 Montgomery County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 148 flood or flash flood records for Montgomery County from 1996 to 2025, on 88 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Montgomery County ranks 766th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Irene | 2011-08-28 | 1 | 1 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $8.9 million on 288 claims filed in Montgomery County; the most in one year was 69 in 2011. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 3 · 1980: 8 · 1981: 23 · 1982: 2 · 1983: 1 · 1985: 1 · 1986: 3 · 1987: 6 · 1990: 1 · 1992: 1 · 1993: 1 · 1995: 1 · 1996: 14 · 1999: 1 · 2001: 2 · 2003: 2 · 2005: 6 · 2006: 66 · 2007: 4 · 2008: 1 · 2010: 9 · 2011: 69 · 2013: 52 · 2016: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2021: 6; 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 Montgomery County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Montgomery County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $19.9 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 | $65K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $16M | 3 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $92K | 20 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $397K | once in about 30 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $1.1M | 3.3 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $94K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $226K | 26 a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $182K | 2.4 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 Montgomery 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 New YorkEvery New York tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in New YorkThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The New York recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Montgomery CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Montgomery County's FEMA declarations (CSV)26 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis