Rockland County, New York
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 36087 · population 338,294 · 174 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 578 records for Rockland County, New York from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 362 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (145 records). The deadliest day on its record was October 29, 2012: high wind records filed for Rockland County that day count 3 deaths across 2 records. FEMA has issued 30 declarations naming the county since 1965, 26 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms and Flooding” on July 22, 2023.
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
- 578on 362 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 1120 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $14Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 3strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 30latest 2023
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 Rockland County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 145 since 1996. 57% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 145 | 99 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 5 | – | 3 of 58 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 136 | 97 | 1965-2025 | 1 | 1 | $332K | 3 of 58 |
| Floods | 133 | 88 | 1996-2025 | 2 | 2 | $11M | 3 of 58 |
| High wind and dust storms | 49 | 35 | 1996-2025 | 5 | 7 | $2.0M | 5 of 58 |
| Hail | 37 | 25 | 1985-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 5 of 58 |
| Drought | 20 | 10 | 2001-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 of 58 |
| Heavy rain | 15 | 15 | 1996-2005 | 0 | 0 | $40K | 2 of 58 |
| Heat | 14 | 7 | 1999-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 15 of 58 |
| Lightning | 12 | 12 | 1997-2021 | 0 | 3 | $39K | 1 of 58 |
| Extreme cold | 8 | 4 | 2000-2004 | 0 | 0 | – | 42 of 58 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 4 | 3 | 2008-2020 | 2 | 0 | $11K | 3 of 58 |
| Tornadoes | 3 | 3 | 1990-2018 | 0 | 1 | $29K | 15 of 58 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2000-2011 | 0 | 1 | – | 4 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 Rockland County had?
NOAA records 3 tornadoes in Rockland County from 1990 to 2018, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 1 injury recorded in the county. That is 15th 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 2 tornadoes whose track touched Rockland County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 3: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in New York.
Every tornado record filed for Rockland County (3)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-10-02 | Willow Grove, Rockland County | EF1 2.12 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $29K |
| 2006-07-12 | Grand View On Hudson, Rockland County | F1 0.1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1990-10-18 | Rockland County | F0 1 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | – |
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 Rockland County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the December 19, 2025 high wind (1 injury).
Fire Department/Rescue reported a person struck by a tree at 612 PM Local Standard Time along Route 303 in Blauvelt with the person having chest and shoulder pain.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1304724)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-22 | Heavy SnowRockland County · forecast zone Rockland | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Winter StormRockland County · forecast zone Rockland | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-17 | Winter WeatherRockland County · forecast zone Rockland | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-26 | Winter WeatherRockland County · forecast zone Rockland | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-19 | High WindRockland County · forecast zone Rockland | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2025-12-13 | Winter WeatherRockland County · forecast zone Rockland | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-14 | Flash FloodNanuet, Rockland County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-14 | Flash FloodMonsey, Rockland County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-14 | Flash FloodSpring Vly Airport, Rockland County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-14 | Flash FloodAirmont, Rockland County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-14 | Flash FloodGermonds, Rockland County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-14 | Flash FloodGermonds, Rockland County | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-10-29 | High WindRockland County · forecast zone Northern Westchester A wind gust of 64 mph was reported on the Tappan Zee Bridge at 613 pm. In North Salem, two boys aged 11 and 13 were killed when a tree fell into the house. | 56 kt wind | 2 | 2 | $1.3M |
| 2011-08-28 | Tropical StormRockland County · forecast zone Rockland The ASOS at LaGuardia Airport measured sustained east winds at 45 knots with peak gusts from the southeast at 58 knots. The ASOS at Westchester County Airport measured a peak wind gust from the west at 49 knots. One child and one man came into contact with downed electrical wires after the storm and were electrocuted ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2008-03-20 | Strong WindRockland County · forecast zone Northern Westchester A tree fell on a moving car traveling south on Furnace Dock Road, in Cortlandt Westchester County, killing the driver and casing minor injuries to 2 passengers. | 40 kt wind | 1 | 2 | $7K |
| 2012-10-29 | High WindRockland County · forecast zone Rockland A wind gust of 64 mph was reported on the Tappan Zee Bridge at 613 pm. A 51 year old male was killed when a tree fell through the home. | 56 kt wind | 1 | 1 | – |
| 1996-12-06 | Coastal FloodRockland County · forecast zone Northern Westchester A strong low pressure system developed just off the DELMARVA Coast early Friday morning and moved slowly northeast. It passed south of Long Island during the late morning before moving east of Long Island Friday afternoon.It produced heavy rain, strong gusty winds, and minor tidal flooding along the coast. The storm ... | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2018-05-15 | Thunderstorm WindNanuet, Rockland County Tree fell on car on Red Schoolhouse Road killing an 80 year old woman inside. | 61 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $6K |
| 2018-03-07 | Winter StormRockland County · forecast zone Rockland Trained spotters, Fire Department/Rescue and social media reported 8.5 to 26.0 inches of snow. The highest totals were in Sloatsburg and Chestnut Ridge with 26.0 and 19.5 inches respectively. Broadcast media reported a fallen tree killed one person on Hillside Avenue in Suffern. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2000-12-12 | High WindRockland County · forecast zone Northern Westchester High winds developed rapidly in an unstable air mass following the passage of a strong cold front across the area. Several measured peak wind gusts were at least 58 mph. They were responsible for causing 1 death and at least 6 injuries, as follows: At 9:05 am, a tree fell through a car wind shield and injured 1 person ... | 50 kt wind | 1 | 0 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-09-16 | Flash FloodCountywide, Rockland County | 1 | 0 | $7.8M | |
| 2021-09-01 | Flash FloodBear Mtn, Rockland County | 0 | 0 | $3.4M | |
| 2018-10-02 | TornadoWillow Grove, Rockland County | EF1 2.12 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $29K |
| 2025-07-08 | Thunderstorm WindTallman, Rockland County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $15K |
| 2010-07-19 | Thunderstorm WindOrangeburg, Rockland County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $14K |
| 2008-03-20 | Strong WindRockland County · forecast zone Northern Westchester | 40 kt wind | 1 | 2 | $7K |
| 2018-05-15 | Thunderstorm WindNanuet, Rockland County | 61 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $6K |
| 2018-07-03 | Thunderstorm WindNew City, Rockland County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $6K |
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 Rockland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 24 | 54 | 47 | 20 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 29 | 36 | 41 | 24 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 22 | 39 | 35 | 37 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 15 | 17 | 11 | 6 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 8 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
57% 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 67 · Feb 50 · Mar 52 · Apr 25 · May 31 · Jun 57 · Jul 92 · Aug 69 · Sep 34 · Oct 30 · Nov 22 · Dec 49 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Rockland County
FEMA's register lists 30 declarations that include Rockland County: 19 major disasters, 11 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (11) and severe storm (5).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-07-22 | DR-4723 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2021-09-05 | DR-4615 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| 2021-09-02 | EM-3572 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| 2021-08-22 | EM-3565 | Hurricane | Hurricane Henri |
| 2020-10-02 | DR-4567 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaias |
| 2020-03-20 | DR-4480 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3434 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2012-10-30 | DR-4085 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2012-10-28 | EM-3351 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2011-08-31 | DR-4020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2011-08-26 | EM-3328 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2011-02-18 | DR-1957 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2010-04-16 | DR-1899 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2007-04-24 | DR-1692 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding |
| 2005-09-30 | EM-3262 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-08-03 | DR-1534 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2003-08-23 | EM-3186 | Other | Power Outage |
| 2003-03-27 | EM-3184 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2001-09-11 | DR-1391 | Fire | Fires and Explosions |
| 2000-10-11 | EM-3155 | Other | West Nile Virus |
| 1999-09-19 | DR-1296 | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations |
| 1999-09-18 | EM-3149 | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations |
| 1996-01-12 | DR-1083 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) |
| 1993-03-17 | EM-3107 | Snowstorm | Severe Blizzard |
| 1992-12-21 | DR-974 | Flood | Coastal Storm, High Tides, Heavy Rain, & Flooding |
| 1984-04-17 | DR-702 | Flood | Coastal Storms & Flooding |
| 1975-10-02 | DR-487 | Flood | Storms, Rains, Landslides & Flooding |
| 1972-06-23 | DR-338 | Flood | Tropical Storm Agnes |
| 1971-09-13 | DR-311 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1965-08-18 | DR-204 | Drought | Water Shortage |
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 Rockland County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 133 flood or flash flood records for Rockland County from 1996 to 2025, on 88 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Rockland County ranks 121st of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Irene | 2011-08-28 | 1 | 2 |
| Hurricane Floyd | 1999-09-16 | 1 | 1 |
| Hurricane Ida | 2021-09-01 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $45.4 million on 3,480 claims filed in Rockland County; the most in one year was 502 in 2011. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 152 · 1979: 500 · 1980: 358 · 1981: 97 · 1982: 60 · 1983: 250 · 1984: 307 · 1985: 11 · 1986: 52 · 1987: 18 · 1988: 4 · 1989: 23 · 1990: 16 · 1991: 9 · 1992: 38 · 1993: 18 · 1994: 17 · 1995: 12 · 1996: 24 · 1997: 6 · 1998: 2 · 1999: 323 · 2000: 5 · 2001: 26 · 2002: 11 · 2003: 19 · 2004: 44 · 2005: 47 · 2006: 6 · 2007: 119 · 2008: 11 · 2009: 5 · 2010: 56 · 2011: 502 · 2012: 129 · 2013: 4 · 2014: 8 · 2015: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2018: 11 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 106 · 2022: 19 · 2023: 28 · 2024: 5 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 5; 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 Rockland County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Rockland County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $60.5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | $3.2M | 5.1 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High | $537K | 13 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively High | $1.1M | 30 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $38M | 2.9 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate | $2.6M | 6.2 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $4.5M | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate | $3.4M | once in about 9 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $286K | 1.1 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 Rockland 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
- Winter storms in New YorkThe state's winter storm records, 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 Rockland CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Rockland County's FEMA declarations (CSV)30 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis