Salem (city), Virginia
City storm and disaster record · FIPS 51775 · population 25,346 · 15 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 100 records for Salem (city), Virginia from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 81 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (29 records). The deadliest single record is the July 3, 2013 flood: 1 death. FEMA has issued 14 declarations naming the county since 1972, 12 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
- 100on 81 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 11 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $3.5Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 1strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 14latest 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 Salem (city) most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 29 since 1980. 59% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1980 fell in June and July. Census land area gives no figure for Salem (city) under this code, so it carries no per-area rank.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 29 | 24 | 1980-2026 | 0 | 0 | $772K | – |
| Floods | 23 | 18 | 1997-2025 | 1 | 0 | $695K | – |
| Hail | 22 | 18 | 1978-2019 | 0 | 0 | $734K | – |
| High wind and dust storms | 12 | 12 | 2024-2026 | 0 | 1 | $34K | – |
| Winter storms | 6 | 6 | 2024-2026 | 0 | 0 | $15K | – |
| Drought | 3 | 3 | 2026-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| Heavy rain | 2 | 2 | 2013-2020 | 0 | 0 | $6K | – |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 2008-2013 | 0 | 0 | $190K | – |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 1 | 2024-2024 | 0 | 0 | $1.1M | – |
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 Salem (city) had?
NOAA records 1 tornado in Salem (city) from 2024 to 2024, the strongest rated EF1, 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 1 tornado whose track touched Salem (city) since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 1, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Virginia.
Every tornado record filed for Salem (city) (1)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-26 | Salem (C), Salem (city) | EF1 2 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.1M |
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 Salem (city)?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 12, 2026 thunderstorm wind.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-12 | Strong WindRoanoke County and 2 more · forecast zone Roanoke | 49 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-12 | Thunderstorm WindSalem (C), Salem (city) | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtRoanoke County and 2 more · forecast zone Roanoke | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtRoanoke County and 2 more · forecast zone Roanoke | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-21 | DroughtRoanoke County and 2 more · forecast zone Roanoke | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormRoanoke County and 2 more · forecast zone Roanoke | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-29 | High WindRoanoke County and 2 more · forecast zone Roanoke | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-12-19 | High WindRoanoke County and 2 more · forecast zone Roanoke | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2025-12-08 | Winter StormRoanoke County and 2 more · forecast zone Roanoke | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-04 | Heavy SnowRoanoke County and 2 more · forecast zone Roanoke | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-09 | Thunderstorm WindSalem (C), Salem (city) | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-05-30 | Thunderstorm WindSalem (C), Salem (city) | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-07-03 | FloodSalem (C), Salem (city) Widespread flooding occurred across the City of Salem as several rounds of heavy rainfall occurred over several days. 48-hour rainfall amounts ending 12Z on the 4th ranged from 4 to 6 inches with isolated 8-inch totals. Two mobile home parks in Salem were evacuated due to high water along Mason Creek and the Salem ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-09-27 | High WindRoanoke County and 2 more · forecast zone Roanoke A few trees were downed by high winds associated with the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Over 12,000 customers were reported without power by the peak of the high winds, late Friday morning. One postal worker was injured when a tree fell on him on Quails Place in Hollins, Virginia. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $2K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-26 | TornadoSalem (C), Salem (city) | EF1 2 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.1M |
| 2012-08-01 | HailSalem (C), Salem (city) | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $643K |
| 2013-06-19 | Thunderstorm WindSalem (C), Salem (city) | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $443K |
| 2018-10-11 | FloodSalem (C), Salem (city) | 0 | 0 | $294K | |
| 2012-06-29 | Thunderstorm WindSalem (C), Salem (city) | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $129K |
| 2025-02-11 | Winter StormRoanoke County and 2 more · forecast zone Roanoke | 0 | 0 | $15K | |
| 2025-05-30 | Thunderstorm WindSalem (C), Salem (city) | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2025-03-06 | High WindRoanoke County and 2 more · forecast zone Roanoke | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $7K |
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 Salem (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 7 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 2 | 13 | 5 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 0 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
59% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1980 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 9 · Feb 6 · Mar 6 · Apr 6 · May 14 · Jun 17 · Jul 15 · Aug 5 · Sep 14 · Oct 2 · Nov 2 · Dec 4 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Salem (city)
FEMA's register lists 14 declarations that include Salem (city): 8 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (3) 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 |
| 2012-07-27 | DR-4072 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2005-09-12 | EM-3240 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-10-18 | DR-1570 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding From the Remanants of Hurricane Jeanne |
| 2003-03-27 | DR-1458 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Record/Near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,Floodind, and Mudslide |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1086 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) |
| 1993-03-25 | EM-3112 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 1992-05-19 | DR-944 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1985-11-09 | DR-755 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 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 Salem (city) had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 23 flood or flash flood records for Salem (city) from 1997 to 2025, on 18 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Salem (city) ranks 378th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm Michael | 2018-10-11 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $18.9 million on 812 claims filed in Salem (city); the most in one year was 152 in 1985. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 100 · 1979: 3 · 1980: 1 · 1983: 8 · 1984: 1 · 1985: 152 · 1986: 1 · 1987: 4 · 1989: 14 · 1990: 1 · 1991: 2 · 1992: 131 · 1993: 3 · 1995: 23 · 1996: 18 · 1997: 4 · 1998: 2 · 2000: 9 · 2002: 1 · 2003: 87 · 2004: 130 · 2005: 1 · 2006: 11 · 2010: 1 · 2013: 20 · 2015: 11 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 32 · 2020: 25 · 2024: 2 · 2025: 10; 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 Salem (city)
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Salem (city) Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $9.0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $7.3M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $479K | 3.4 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $154K | 45 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $32K | 9.5 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Very Low | $205K | once in about 19 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $336K | once in about 733 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Very Low | $317 | once in about 59 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | $243K | 2.9 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 Salem (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
- 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 Salem (city)The hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Salem (city)'s FEMA declarations (CSV)14 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis