Petersburg (city), Virginia
City storm and disaster record · FIPS 51730 · population 33,446 · 23 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 208 records for Petersburg (city), Virginia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 174 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (76 records). The deadliest single record is the May 29, 2000 high wind, filed for the forecast zone Prince George / Hopewell, which covers the county: 1 death and 1 injury. FEMA has issued 17 declarations naming the county since 1972, 15 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
- 208on 174 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 211 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $105Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 4strongest F3
- 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 Petersburg (city) most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 76 since 1996. 71% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. Census land area gives no figure for Petersburg (city) under this code, so it carries no per-area rank.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 76 | 76 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 5 | $179K | – |
| Floods | 43 | 23 | 1999-2026 | 0 | 0 | $6.6M | – |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 41 | 34 | 1977-2026 | 0 | 0 | $275K | – |
| Heavy rain | 19 | 19 | 1998-2020 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| Hail | 5 | 5 | 1977-2005 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| Heat | 5 | 5 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| Extreme cold | 4 | 4 | 1996-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| High wind and dust storms | 4 | 4 | 1999-2008 | 1 | 1 | $12K | – |
| Tornadoes | 4 | 4 | 1970-2012 | 0 | 5 | $74M | – |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 2 | 2 | 2003-2011 | 1 | 0 | $22M | – |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 2000-2000 | 0 | 0 | $21K | – |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2014-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| Drought | 1 | 1 | 1997-1997 | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | – |
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 Petersburg (city) had?
NOAA records 4 tornadoes in Petersburg (city) from 1970 to 2012, the strongest rated F3, with 0 deaths and 5 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 5 tornadoes whose track touched Petersburg (city) since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 4: 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, 0 of them in Petersburg (city).
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-08-06 10:30, as SPC files it | Petersburg to Hopewell | F4 | 1 mi | 4 |
| 1984-05-08 15:20, as SPC files it | Petersburg | F3 | 2 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Virginia.
Every tornado record filed for Petersburg (city) (4)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-06-01 | Petersburg (city) | EF0 3 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 5 | $225K |
| 2008-07-09 | Petersburg (city) | EF1 0.1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $685K |
| 1984-05-08 | Petersburg (city) | F3 2 mi x 1,500 yd | 0 | 0 | $25M step |
| 1970-06-21 | Petersburg (city) | F2 | 0 | 0 | $250K 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 Petersburg (city)?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 14, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-14 | Thunderstorm WindPetersburg (city) | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-05-26 | Flash FloodPetersburg (city) | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-28 | Coastal FloodPrince George County and 2 more · forecast zone Prince George | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-27 | Excessive HeatPrince George County and 2 more · forecast zone Prince George | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-19 | Thunderstorm WindPetersburg (city) | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-07-18 | Thunderstorm WindPetersburg (city) | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-07-15 | Flash FloodPetersburg (city) | 0 | 0 | $4.8M | |
| 2025-07-15 | Flash FloodPetersburg (city) | 0 | 0 | $165K | |
| 2025-07-15 | Flash FloodPetersburg (city) | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-15 | Flash FloodPetersburg (city) | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-15 | Flash FloodPetersburg (city) | 0 | 0 | $60K | |
| 2025-07-15 | Flash FloodPetersburg (city) | 0 | 0 | $30K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-05-29 | High WindPrince George County and Petersburg (city) · forecast zone Prince George / Hopewell A powerful storm system off the Virginia and North Carolina coast produced high winds and waves over the James River. One man drowned and another man was injured when their 17 foot fishing boat capsized on the James River east of Hopewell due to the weather. Little effects from the wind were experienced inland. | 40 kt wind | 1 | 1 | – |
| 2003-09-18 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Prince George County and Petersburg (city) · forecast zone Prince George Hurricane Isabel was a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed the Wakefield WFO county warning area. Sustained tropical storm force winds with frequent gusts to hurricane force occurred over interior southeast Virginia. Isabel made landfall near Ocracoke Inlet in North Carolina, tracked northwest into central Virginia ... | 1 | 0 | $16M | |
| 2012-06-01 | TornadoPetersburg (city) The tornado tracked approximately 3 miles beginning on the western edge of Fort Hayes Common where a couple of trees were damaged. It then continued northeast through portions of the Battlefield Park, Oakhurst and East Walnut Hill sections of Petersburg. The tornado then crossed Interstate 95 causing minor damage, ... | EF0 3 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 5 | $225K |
| 2000-12-06 | Winter StormPrince George County and Petersburg (city) · forecast zone Prince George A light accumulation of snow over east central Virginia resulted in slick conditions on untreated roads, especially in Prince George county. Multiple accidents occurred when a light coating of snow and ice made for difficult driving conditions on Route 156, on Middle, Courthouse and Heritage Roads, and on James River ... | 0 | 5 | $17K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-09-18 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Prince George County and Petersburg (city) · forecast zone Prince George | 1 | 0 | $16M | |
| 2025-07-15 | Flash FloodPetersburg (city) | 0 | 0 | $4.8M | |
| 1997-09-01 | DroughtPrince George County and Petersburg (city) · forecast zone Prince George / Hopewell | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | |
| 1999-09-16 | Flash FloodPetersburg (city) | 0 | 0 | $1.5M | |
| 2008-07-09 | TornadoPetersburg (city) | EF1 0.1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $685K |
| 2012-06-01 | TornadoPetersburg (city) | EF0 3 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 5 | $225K |
| 2025-07-15 | Flash FloodPetersburg (city) | 0 | 0 | $165K | |
| 2025-07-13 | Flash FloodPetersburg (city) | 0 | 0 | $60K |
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: May 8, 1984 (tornado, Petersburg (city)).
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 Petersburg (city)'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 5 | 28 | 33 | 10 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | 7 | 34 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 7 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 3 | 4 | 8 | 4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
71% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 34 · Feb 24 · Mar 14 · Apr 9 · May 13 · Jun 19 · Jul 38 · Aug 15 · Sep 14 · Oct 10 · Nov 5 · Dec 13 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Petersburg (city)
FEMA's register lists 17 declarations that include Petersburg (city): 11 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (6) and severe storm (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-23 | EM-3631 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| 2011-09-03 | DR-4024 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2005-09-12 | EM-3240 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-03 | DR-1544 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes Associated W Td Gaston |
| 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 |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1086 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) |
| 1994-03-10 | DR-1014 | Snowstorm | Severe Ice Storms, Flooding |
| 1993-12-22 | DR-1007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 1993-03-25 | EM-3112 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 Petersburg (city) had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 43 flood or flash flood records for Petersburg (city) from 1999 to 2026, on 23 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Petersburg (city) ranks 1172nd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Isabel | 2003-09-18 | 1 | 1 |
| Hurricane Irene | 2011-08-27 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Floyd | 1999-09-16 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.3 million on 129 claims filed in Petersburg (city); the most in one year was 19 in 1999. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 8 · 1980: 2 · 1981: 1 · 1982: 1 · 1983: 1 · 1984: 2 · 1985: 1 · 1988: 1 · 1989: 1 · 1990: 1 · 1991: 1 · 1993: 1 · 1996: 5 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 3 · 1999: 19 · 2001: 1 · 2003: 12 · 2004: 3 · 2006: 5 · 2008: 5 · 2009: 1 · 2010: 1 · 2011: 5 · 2013: 2 · 2015: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 6 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 5 · 2025: 14; 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 Petersburg (city)
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Petersburg (city) Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $5.4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $445K | once in about 6 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $532K | once in about 589 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $316K | 5.6 modeled event-days a year |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $69K | 1.3 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $50K | 4.6 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $111K | 44 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $398K | once in about 76 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $157K | once 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 Petersburg (city)
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
- Winter storms in VirginiaThe state's winter storm records, 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 Petersburg (city)The hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Petersburg (city)'s FEMA declarations (CSV)17 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis