Overton County, Tennessee

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 47133 · population 22,498 · 433 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 498 records for Overton County, Tennessee from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 348 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (170 records). The deadliest single record is the April 3, 1974 tornado: 3 deaths and 120 injuries. FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1969, 19 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
498on 348 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
5139 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$61Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
14strongest F4
FEMA declarations
21latest 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 Overton County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 170 since 1975. 42% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1975 fell in June and July. 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.

Overton County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 170 125 1975-2026 0 3 $1.4M 63 of 95
Winter storms 130 98 1996-2026 0 5 $6.7M 12 of 95
Hail 59 41 1961-2025 0 0 $226K 69 of 95
Drought 51 35 2007-2026 0 0 $427K 22 of 95
Floods 42 33 1996-2025 0 0 $20M 52 of 95
High wind and dust storms 17 16 2000-2025 0 0 $372K 12 of 95
Tornadoes 14 10 1956-2025 3 128 $31M 67 of 95
Lightning 9 8 1998-2019 2 3 $1.1M 16 of 95
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 3 3 2009-2020 0 0 – 24 of 95
Extreme cold 2 2 2022-2026 0 0 – 33 of 95
Heavy rain 1 1 2019-2019 0 0 – 46 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 Overton County had?

NOAA records 14 tornadoes in Overton County from 1956 to 2025, the strongest rated F4, with 3 deaths and 128 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 16 tornadoes whose track touched Overton County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 14: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 13 people, 3 of them in Overton County.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Overton County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
1974-04-03 19:15, as SPC files itUnnamedF428.4 mi10
1974-04-03 22:30, as SPC files itLivingstonF39.4 mi3

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Tennessee.

Every tornado record filed for Overton County (14)
Every tornado recorded in Overton County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2025-02-06 Hanging Limb, Overton County EF1 5.34 mi x 500 yd 0 1 $1.0M
2025-02-06 Waterloo, Overton County EF1 6.41 mi x 400 yd 0 1 $500K
2021-12-06 Rhyan Spgs, Overton County EF0 1.15 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $5K
2021-12-06 Unity, Overton County EF0 2.64 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $16K
2021-05-28 Okalona, Overton County EF0 1 mi x 50 yd 0 2 $11K
2012-03-02 Waterloo, Overton County EF2 6.94 mi x 400 yd 0 0 $1.4M
1997-03-28 Livingston, Overton County F2 5.9 mi x 440 yd 0 2 $460K
1996-03-16 Livingston, Overton County F2 6 mi x 400 yd 0 1 $10M
1977-10-01 Overton County F0 7.2 mi x 440 yd 0 1 $250K step
1974-04-03 Overton County F3 9.4 mi x 400 yd 3 120 $2.5M step
1974-04-03 Overton County F4 8.7 mi x 700 yd 0 0 –
1974-04-03 Overton County F1 4.3 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $25K step
1973-11-26 Overton County F1 2 mi x 33 yd 0 0 $25K step
1956-03-07 Overton County F2 4.3 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $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 Overton County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 15, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($5,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The 12 most recent records kept for Overton County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-01 DroughtOverton County · forecast zone Overton 0 0 –
2026-05-01 DroughtOverton County · forecast zone Overton 0 0 –
2026-04-01 DroughtOverton County · forecast zone Overton 0 0 –
2026-03-15 Thunderstorm WindRickman, Overton County 56 kt wind 0 0 $5K
2026-03-15 Thunderstorm WindAllons, Overton County 55 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-03-15 Thunderstorm WindOakley, Overton County 56 kt wind 0 0 $5K
2026-01-27 Extreme Cold/Wind ChillOverton County · forecast zone Overton 0 0 –
2026-01-24 Winter StormOverton County · forecast zone Overton 0 0 –
2025-09-05 Thunderstorm WindOakley, Overton County 52 kt wind 0 0 $10K
2025-09-02 DroughtOverton County · forecast zone Overton 0 0 –
2025-05-16 HailLivingston, Overton County 0.88 in hail 0 0 –
2025-05-02 HailOakley, Overton County 0.88 in hail 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

Records with deaths or injuries in Overton County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
1974-04-03 TornadoOverton County F3 9.4 mi x 400 yd 3 120 $2.5M step
1998-08-11 LightningNortheast Portion, Overton County Lightning struck a man while working in his tobacco field in the Wirmingham community. A bolt of lightning struck him in the back of his head. The lightning bolt also knocked down 2 others nearby. 1 2 –
2007-06-23 LightningWaterloo, Overton County A man was struck by lightning while attending an outdoor festival on June 23, 2007. The 47-year-old Indiana man was among a crowd watching a stage show. A bolt of lightning struck the man, knocking him unconscious. No one else was injured. He was leaning against a motorcycle when the bolt hit his right shoulder and ... 1 0 –
1998-12-23 Winter StormOverton County · forecast zone Overton Major tractor trailer pileup on I-40 eastbound at Mt. Eagle Mountain. 0 3 –
2021-05-28 TornadoOkalona, Overton County A brief EF-0 tornado touched down south of Livingston to the west of Bilbrey Road. Security camera video from Clydesdale Farms on Dale Gunnels Lane showed the tornado heavily damaging a barn and blowing down numerous trees. 2 people in the barn suffered minor injuries. Further to the east, more trees were blown down ... EF0 1 mi x 50 yd 0 2 $11K
1998-12-24 Winter StormOverton County · forecast zone Overton Car accident with 2 injuries near Alpine. 1/2 inch of ice at 1200 PM at Alpine and 1 inch at Livingston. 0 2 –
1997-03-28 TornadoLivingston, Overton County A trailer was overturned and destroyed. 3 people were trapped inside and 2 of them sustained minor injuries. Several homes were damaged in the Goose Creek area near Alpine. A few barns were damaged near Livingston and another barn was damaged near Alpine. Many trees and power lines were down. Path length and width are ... F2 5.9 mi x 440 yd 0 2 $460K
2025-02-06 TornadoWaterloo, Overton County This is a continuation of the tornado that began in Putnam County. This EF-1 tornado then uprooted and snapped trees along Duncans Chapel Road as well as caused minor roof damage and downed trees on Ben Mason Road. Further east along Tommy Dodson Highway, several trees were uprooted and two barns had roof damage, and ... EF1 6.41 mi x 400 yd 0 1 $500K

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 Overton County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2010-08-18 FloodTimothy, Overton County 0 0 $14M
1996-03-16 TornadoLivingston, Overton County F2 6 mi x 400 yd 0 1 $10M
2009-07-15 Flash FloodBonsack, Overton County 0 0 $5.5M
2021-02-14 Winter StormOverton County · forecast zone Overton 0 0 $3.5M
2015-02-20 Winter StormOverton County · forecast zone Overton 0 0 $2.5M
2012-03-02 TornadoWaterloo, Overton County EF2 6.94 mi x 400 yd 0 0 $1.4M
2009-07-15 LightningLivingston, Overton County 0 0 $688K
1997-03-28 TornadoLivingston, Overton County F2 5.9 mi x 440 yd 0 2 $460K

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 $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: April 3, 1974 (tornado, Overton County, 3 killed).

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 Overton 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).

Overton County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind001416416543
Winter storms––––13297117
Hail01011519158
Drought––––032415
Floods––––713148
High wind and dust storms––––0755

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 1975 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 72 · Feb 67 · Mar 45 · Apr 34 · May 45 · Jun 60 · Jul 51 · Aug 23 · Sep 17 · Oct 14 · Nov 28 · Dec 42 (records).

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

Federal disaster declarations for Overton County

FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include Overton County: 16 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (7) and flood (4).

Declarations including Overton 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
2021-05-08DR-4601TornadoSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2021-04-21DR-4594Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storms
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
2012-03-16DR-4060Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds and
2010-09-15DR-1937Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2009-08-21DR-1856Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2005-09-05EM-3217HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2002-04-05DR-1408Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
1998-01-13DR-1197Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
1994-02-28DR-1010Severe StormSevere Winter Ice Storm,Flash Flooding
1993-03-14EM-3095SnowstormSevere Snowfall, Winter Storm
1975-03-22DR-459FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1974-04-04DR-424TornadoTornadoes
1973-06-28DR-395FloodSevere Storms & Flooding
1969-07-11DR-263FloodSevere Storms & 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 Overton County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 42 flood or flash flood records for Overton County from 1996 to 2025, on 33 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Overton County ranks 2321st of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $159,000 on 11 claims filed in Overton County; the most in one year was 3 in 2010. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1980: 1 · 1999: 1 · 2003: 1 · 2009: 1 · 2010: 3 · 2012: 1 · 2021: 3; 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 Overton County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Overton County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $7.3 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Overton County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
LightningRelatively High$1.2M57 a year (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively Low$76K9.8 a year (modeled)
Cold WaveRelatively Low$971K1.3 a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Low$994Konce in about 4 years (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Low$427K5.3 a year (modeled)
DroughtRelatively Low$78K10 modeled event-days a year
HailRelatively Low$169K2.9 a year (modeled)
Ice StormRelatively Low$50Konce in about 2 years (modeled)

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.

Counties that share a border with Overton County

  1. Putnam County 640
  2. Fentress County 506
  3. Overton County 498
  4. Jackson County 287
  5. Clay County 270
  6. Pickett County 197

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

Next