Santa Cruz County, Arizona
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 04023 · population 47,632 · 1,236 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 489 records for Santa Cruz County, Arizona from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 375 days; the most frequent are drought records (94 records). 270 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the July 15, 2023 excessive heat, filed for the forecast zone Upper Santa Cruz River And Altar Valleys, which covers the county: 6 deaths. FEMA has issued 8 declarations naming the county since 1977, 6 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Katrina Evacuation” on September 12, 2005.
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
- 489on 375 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 7630 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $40Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 1strongest EF0
- FEMA declarations
- 8latest 2020
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 Santa Cruz County most?
The most frequent records are drought records: 94 since 2011. The rank column places the county among Arizona'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | 94 | 51 | 2011-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 of 15 |
| Floods | 87 | 83 | 1997-2025 | 4 | 10 | $17M | 1 of 15 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 79 | 70 | 1985-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.1M | 3 of 15 |
| Heat | 72 | 68 | 2005-2026 | 62 | 0 | – | 1 of 15 |
| Hail | 40 | 35 | 1974-2025 | 0 | 0 | $172K | 1 of 15 |
| Winter storms | 37 | 35 | 1998-2024 | 0 | 1 | $29K | 2 of 15 |
| High wind and dust storms | 30 | 20 | 2009-2026 | 0 | 0 | $152K | 3 of 15 |
| Wildfires | 29 | 27 | 2002-2025 | 0 | 14 | $21M | 1 of 15 |
| Extreme cold | 8 | 8 | 2011-2025 | 8 | 2 | $694K | 1 of 15 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 7 | 7 | 2004-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 of 15 |
| Lightning | 4 | 4 | 1996-2025 | 1 | 2 | $5K | 3 of 15 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2008-2008 | 1 | 1 | – | 12 of 15 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 1 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 12 of 15 |
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 Santa Cruz County had?
NOAA records 1 tornado in Santa Cruz County from 2012 to 2012, the strongest rated EF0, 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 Santa Cruz County 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 Arizona.
Every tornado record filed for Santa Cruz County (1)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-05-09 | Nogales, Santa Cruz County | EF0 0.31 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
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 Santa Cruz County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 26, 2026 excessive heat (1 death).
Temperatures in Southeastern Arizona were 4 degrees above normal with Moderate HeatRisk. The Pima County Medical Examiner found that heat was a contributing factor in the cause of death for an individual in Benson. A Sierra Vista CWOP site recorded a high temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1353772)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-26 | Excessive HeatCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-24 | Excessive HeatCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-12 | HeatCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-13 | High WindCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-13 | High WindCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-13 | High WindPima County and Santa Cruz County · forecast zone Upper Santa Cruz River And Altar Valleys | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-13 | High WindCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley | 54 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-13 | High WindPima County and Santa Cruz County · forecast zone Upper Santa Cruz River And Altar Valleys | 53 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-01-10 | High WindPima County and Santa Cruz County · forecast zone Upper Santa Cruz River And Altar Valleys | 85 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-11-01 | DroughtPima County and Santa Cruz County · forecast zone Upper Santa Cruz River And Altar Valleys | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-10-01 | DroughtPima County and Santa Cruz County · forecast zone Upper Santa Cruz River And Altar Valleys | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-09-25 | HailCalabasas, Santa Cruz County | 0.88 in hail | 0 | 0 | $500 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-07-15 | Excessive HeatPima County and Santa Cruz County · forecast zone Upper Santa Cruz River And Altar Valleys Very hot temperatures of 8 to 13 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached in the Altar Valley and Santa Cruz County July 15-30. Record highs at Sasabe included 111 degrees on July 19-21; 109 on July 16-18 and 26-28. Record highs at the Nogales Airport included 108 degrees on July 20, 107 ... | 6 | 0 | – | |
| 2021-06-12 | Excessive HeatPima County and Santa Cruz County · forecast zone Upper Santa Cruz River And Altar Valleys Very hot high temperatures of 106 to 119 degrees, or 8 to 13 degrees above normal, occurred in the lower elevations of southeast Arizona June 12-20, and caused the High Heat Risk category to be reached. New record daily high temperature records were established at numerous sites on several days during this period. For ... | 3 | 0 | – | |
| 2008-07-12 | Flash FloodNogales, Santa Cruz County Heavy rainfall on the Mexican side of the border caused flash flooding in the city of Nogales, Arizona. This was caused by a damaged portion of the underground Nogales Wash. Local emergency management reported that water burst through the underground wash onto the surface just across the International Border. The ... | 2 | 3 | $822K | |
| 2026-06-24 | Excessive HeatCochise County and 3 more · forecast zone Upper San Pedro River Valley Temperatures in Southeastern Arizona were 6 degrees above normal with Major HeatRisk. The Pima County Medical Examiner found that heat was the primary factor in the cause of death for 2 individuals, one in Benson and one in Hereford. A Sierra Vista CWOP site recorded a high temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2023-10-16 | HeatPima County and Santa Cruz County · forecast zone Upper Santa Cruz River And Altar Valleys Hot temperatures 7 to 15 degrees above normal caused the Moderate Heat Risk category to be reached in Santa Cruz County where temperatures below 5000 feet topped out in the 90s. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined heat to be the primary cause of death for two individuals found in the desert; one near Amado and ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2023-08-27 | Excessive HeatPima County and Santa Cruz County · forecast zone Upper Santa Cruz River And Altar Valleys Very hot temperatures of 7 to 14 degrees above normal caused the Major Heat Risk category to be reached across southeast Pima County, south central Pinal County and the lower elevations of Santa Cruz County August 27-29. Record highs included 111 degrees at Picacho Peak; 108 at Sasabe; and 104 at the Nogales Airport, ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2023-02-16 | Cold/Wind ChillCochise County and 2 more · forecast zone Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca And Santa Rita Mountains Temperatures fell into the teens during the morning of February 16 with wind chills in the single digits. While air temperatures were not as cold for the next 24 hours, winds increased to 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph and created wind chills as cold as the teens into the morning of February 17. The Pima ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2023-01-23 | Cold/Wind ChillPima County and Santa Cruz County · forecast zone Upper Santa Cruz River And Altar Valleys Cold low temperatures in the high single digits to teens, or 15 to 25 degrees below normal, occurred in Patagonia with the lowest temperature of 9 degrees recorded the morning of January 24. The Pima County Medical Examiner determined that hypothermia was the primary cause of death for two individuals in Patagonia. ... | 2 | 0 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-07-01 | WildfireCochise County and 2 more · forecast zone Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca And Santa Rita Mountains | 0 | 0 | $20M | |
| 2007-08-24 | Flash FloodNogales, Santa Cruz County | 0 | 0 | $14M | |
| 2018-09-02 | Flash FloodAmado, Santa Cruz County | 0 | 0 | $881K | |
| 2008-07-12 | Flash FloodNogales, Santa Cruz County | 2 | 3 | $822K | |
| 2009-05-05 | WildfireSanta Cruz County · forecast zone Santa Cruz County | 0 | 1 | $770K | |
| 1996-06-29 | Thunderstorm WindThatcher/Safford, Santa Cruz County | 0 | 0 | $621K | |
| 2017-07-20 | Flash FloodNogales, Santa Cruz County | 0 | 0 | $301K | |
| 2010-07-19 | Thunderstorm WindCalabasas, Santa Cruz County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $34K |
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 Santa Cruz 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 38 | 56 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 8 | 29 | 33 | 17 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 25 | 25 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 0 | 2 | 15 | 55 z |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 12 | 10 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 1 | 15 | 15 | 6 |
Heat in the 2020-26: 55 records against 15 in the decade before, 55 of them forecast-zone records. Cells marked z rose mostly through zone records. The local National Weather Service office files these once per forecast zone, so a change in how it draws its zones or splits a storm into records moves this count as much as the weather does; read it beside the Santa Cruz County days with a record above.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Santa Cruz County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 26 · Feb 28 · Mar 20 · Apr 22 · May 29 · Jun 62 · Jul 130 · Aug 98 · Sep 28 · Oct 20 · Nov 10 · Dec 16 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Santa Cruz County
FEMA's register lists 8 declarations that include Santa Cruz County: 5 major disasters, 2 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for flood (3) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-04 | DR-4524 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3442 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2005-09-12 | EM-3241 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2002-04-30 | FM-2400 | Fire | Az-Ryan-Wildfire-4/30/2002 |
| 2000-10-27 | DR-1347 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1993-01-19 | DR-977 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1983-10-05 | DR-691 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-11-04 | DR-540 | Flood | Severe 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 Santa Cruz County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 87 flood or flash flood records for Santa Cruz County from 1997 to 2025, on 83 days, with 4 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Santa Cruz County ranks 1052nd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.3 million on 161 claims filed in Santa Cruz County; the most in one year was 40 in 1983. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 1 · 1980: 3 · 1981: 6 · 1983: 40 · 1984: 11 · 1985: 5 · 1989: 3 · 1990: 7 · 1993: 9 · 1994: 4 · 1995: 1 · 1996: 3 · 1997: 6 · 1998: 8 · 2001: 2 · 2003: 8 · 2004: 1 · 2006: 7 · 2007: 1 · 2008: 3 · 2010: 8 · 2011: 1 · 2012: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2015: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2025: 1; 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 Santa Cruz County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Santa Cruz County Relatively Moderate overall, with an expected annual loss of $42.5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Wave | Relatively High | $16M | 4 modeled event-days a year |
| Wildfire | Relatively High | $7.9M | once in about 77 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively High | $631K | 57 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $18M | 2.8 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $3K | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $117K | 56 modeled event-days a year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $163K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $110K | once in about 1,261 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Santa Cruz 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 ArizonaEvery Arizona tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Drought in ArizonaThe state's drought records, by county, year and month
- The Arizona recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Santa Cruz CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Santa Cruz County's FEMA declarations (CSV)8 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis