Russell County, Virginia
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 51167 · population 25,778 · 474 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 308 records for Russell County, Virginia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 237 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (137 records). The most damaging was the February 6, 2020 flood ($788,000 in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1976, 19 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
- 308on 237 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 00 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $4.2Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 6strongest EF2
- 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 Russell County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 137 since 1957. 55% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in June and July. 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 | 137 | 113 | 1957-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.5M | 69 of 96 |
| Winter storms | 93 | 75 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $665K | 74 of 96 |
| Floods | 35 | 30 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.5M | 70 of 96 |
| Hail | 17 | 16 | 1974-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 95 of 96 |
| High wind and dust storms | 15 | 13 | 2006-2024 | 0 | 0 | $101K | 57 of 96 |
| Tornadoes | 6 | 5 | 1996-2011 | 0 | 0 | $483K | 67 of 96 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 3 | 3 | 2014-2014 | 0 | 0 | – | 37 of 96 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 92 of 96 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 1 | 1 | 2025-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 13 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 Russell County had?
NOAA records 6 tornadoes in Russell County from 1996 to 2011, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 0 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 6 tornadoes whose track touched Russell County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 6, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Virginia.
Every tornado record filed for Russell County (6)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-05-24 | Bolton, Russell County | EF0 4.24 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $39K |
| 2009-06-16 | Castlewood, Russell County | EF0 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $7K |
| 2009-05-08 | Lebanon, Russell County | EF2 1.1 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-05-08 | Lebanon, Russell County | EF0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-02-11 | Coulwood, Russell County | EF0 4.2 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $41K |
| 1996-07-19 | Belfast, Russell County | F1 3.6 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $395K |
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 Russell County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 6, 2020 flood ($788,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
Six structures flooded, including two community centers that are used as polling sites. The Cleveland Community Center had 11 inches or sewage backup from the sewer system. Four homes flooded, culverts washed out, some livestock drowned or washed away. Twenty four families were unable to get their vehicles out or get emergency responders in. Mudslide in the Swords Creek area.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 875463)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-16 | Heavy SnowRussell County · forecast zone Russell | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-22 | Winter WeatherRussell County · forecast zone Russell | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-04 | Winter WeatherRussell County · forecast zone Russell | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-30 | Heavy SnowRussell County · forecast zone Russell | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter WeatherRussell County · forecast zone Russell | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-20 | Flash FloodBelfast, Russell County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-27 | Debris FlowBarnett, Russell County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-27 | Flash FloodBelfast, Russell County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-05-17 | Thunderstorm WindMt Olive, Russell County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindCarbo, Russell County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-03-31 | Thunderstorm WindSwords Creek, Russell County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-19 | Heavy SnowRussell County · forecast zone Russell | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-02-06 | FloodBelfast, Russell County | 0 | 0 | $788K | |
| 2009-12-18 | Heavy SnowRussell County · forecast zone Russell | 0 | 0 | $598K | |
| 1996-07-19 | TornadoBelfast, Russell County | F1 3.6 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $395K |
| 2004-06-08 | Flash FloodCleveland, Russell County | 0 | 0 | $312K | |
| 2009-02-11 | TornadoCoulwood, Russell County | EF0 4.2 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $41K |
| 2011-05-24 | TornadoBolton, Russell County | EF0 4.24 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $39K |
| 2006-05-26 | Thunderstorm WindLebanon, Russell County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $37K |
| 2006-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindLebanon, Russell County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $37K |
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 Russell 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 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 61 | 39 | 15 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 9 | 28 | 41 | 15 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 2 | 15 | 10 | 8 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 2 | 10 | 3 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
55% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1957 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 33 · Feb 45 · Mar 15 · Apr 13 · May 38 · Jun 54 · Jul 44 · Aug 18 · Sep 5 · Oct 5 · Nov 8 · Dec 30 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Russell County
FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include Russell County: 13 major disasters, 8 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (6) and hurricane (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-23 | EM-3631 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2025-04-04 | DR-4863 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 2024-10-01 | DR-4831 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| 2024-09-29 | EM-3621 | Tropical Storm | Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene |
| 2020-04-02 | DR-4512 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3448 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2018-10-15 | DR-4401 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2018-09-11 | EM-3403 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2012-10-29 | EM-3359 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2010-02-16 | DR-1874 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2005-09-12 | EM-3240 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-06-15 | DR-1525 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2003-03-27 | DR-1458 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Record/Near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,Floodind, and Mudslide |
| 2002-04-02 | DR-1406 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2001-07-12 | DR-1386 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2000-02-28 | DR-1318 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 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 |
| 1977-04-07 | DR-530 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1976-10-15 | EM-3018 | Drought | Drought |
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 Russell County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 35 flood or flash flood records for Russell County from 1996 to 2025, on 30 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Russell County ranks 1648th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $441,000 on 52 claims filed in Russell County; the most in one year was 13 in 2002. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 8 · 1979: 1 · 1982: 3 · 1984: 3 · 1985: 1 · 1994: 1 · 1996: 1 · 2001: 2 · 2002: 13 · 2003: 3 · 2004: 7 · 2015: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2025: 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 Russell County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Russell County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $8.8 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 | $100K | 1.6 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $2.8M | 2.3 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $100K | 8.2 modeled event-days a year |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $4.8M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $346K | 3 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $127K | 49 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $19K | 14 a year (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Very Low | $2K | once in about 100 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Russell 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 Russell CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Russell County's FEMA declarations (CSV)21 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis