Sequatchie County, Tennessee

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 47153 · population 15,811 · 266 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 279 records for Sequatchie County, Tennessee from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 209 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (150 records). The deadliest single record is the February 16, 2015 cold/wind chill, filed for the forecast zone Sequatchie, which covers the county: 1 death. FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1973, 19 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on February 6, 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
279on 209 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
29 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$13Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
10strongest EF4
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 Sequatchie County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 150 since 1976. The rank column places the county among Tennessee's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.

Sequatchie County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 150 123 1976-2026 0 1 $1.4M 22 of 95
Hail 43 31 1977-2025 0 0 – 39 of 95
Winter storms 41 39 1996-2026 0 0 – 35 of 95
Floods 26 24 1998-2025 1 0 $9.4M 40 of 95
Tornadoes 10 7 1964-2016 0 8 $2.3M 59 of 95
Fog, smoke and funnel clouds 3 2 2003-2011 0 0 – 19 of 95
Heavy rain 2 2 2013-2022 0 0 $1K 12 of 95
High wind and dust storms 2 2 2006-2016 0 0 $22K 86 of 95
Extreme cold 1 1 2015-2015 1 0 – 41 of 95
Hurricanes and tropical storms 1 1 2004-2004 0 0 $23K 9 of 95

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 Sequatchie County had?

NOAA records 10 tornadoes in Sequatchie County from 1964 to 2016, the strongest rated EF4, with 0 deaths and 8 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 10 tornadoes whose track touched Sequatchie County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 10, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 4 people, 0 of them in Sequatchie County.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Sequatchie County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
2011-04-27 19:06, as SPC files itDunlapEF440.16 mi4

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Tennessee.

Every tornado record filed for Sequatchie County (10)
Every tornado recorded in Sequatchie County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2016-11-29 Cartwright, Sequatchie County EF2 7.59 mi x 350 yd 0 2 –
2011-04-27 Dunlap, Sequatchie County EF1 3.4 mi x 80 yd 0 0 $98K
2011-04-27 Dunlap, Sequatchie County EF2 4.5 mi x 250 yd 0 0 $262K
2011-04-27 Daus, Sequatchie County EF4 7.86 mi x 880 yd 0 0 $328K
2009-04-10 Dunlap, Sequatchie County EF1 0.2 mi x 40 yd 0 0 $21K
2009-04-10 Dunlap, Sequatchie County EF2 5 mi x 175 yd 0 0 $138K
2009-03-28 Dunlap, Sequatchie County EF0 1 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $41K
1997-03-28 Cagle, Sequatchie County F2 6 mi x 440 yd 0 0 $184K
1994-06-26 Lewis Chapel, Sequatchie County F2 2 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $995K
1964-08-12 Sequatchie County F2 0.8 mi x 33 yd 0 6 $25K 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 Sequatchie County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 27, 2025 thunderstorm wind ($50,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

Couple dozen medium to large trees were blown down along Kell Loop Road outside of Dunlap, TN. A small trailer was blown onto its side, off of the hitch. Another small trailer was dragged in the mud a couple feet. Two porch chairs were blown and dropped on a fence. A couple of chickens were killed. Several trees fell on power lines, resulting in a few power outages. One mailbox was separated from its post and blown into a ditch, underneath the powerlines.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1274464)
The 12 most recent records kept for Sequatchie County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-03-16 Winter WeatherSequatchie County · forecast zone Sequatchie 0 0 –
2026-03-16 Thunderstorm WindDunlap, Sequatchie County 52 kt wind 0 0 –
2026-01-30 Heavy SnowSequatchie County · forecast zone Sequatchie 0 0 –
2025-07-18 Flash FloodCagle, Sequatchie County 0 0 –
2025-06-27 Thunderstorm WindCenter Pt, Sequatchie County 65 kt wind 0 0 $50K
2025-06-07 Thunderstorm WindDunlap, Sequatchie County 61 kt wind 0 0 –
2025-05-20 HailEwtonville, Sequatchie County 0.88 in hail 0 0 –
2025-05-20 Thunderstorm WindEwtonville, Sequatchie County 52 kt wind 0 0 –
2025-05-20 Thunderstorm WindDunlap, Sequatchie County 52 kt wind 0 0 –
2025-03-15 Thunderstorm WindFredonia, Sequatchie County 52 kt wind 0 0 –
2025-02-19 Winter WeatherSequatchie County · forecast zone Sequatchie 0 0 –
2025-01-10 Winter StormSequatchie County · forecast zone Sequatchie 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

Records with deaths or injuries in Sequatchie County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2015-02-16 Cold/Wind ChillSequatchie County · forecast zone Sequatchie Emergency manager reported a 85 year old male died. It was hypothermia related. 1 0 –
2011-04-27 FloodDunlap, Sequatchie County Law enforcement personnel reported thunderstorms produced flooding on Hwy 127 in Dunlap. A middle aged man, who was intoxicated, jumped into the high water, drowned and was later found 60 yards downstream. 1 0 $13K
1964-08-12 TornadoSequatchie County F2 0.8 mi x 33 yd 0 6 $25K step
2016-11-29 TornadoCartwright, Sequatchie County A tornado formed in far northern Marion County, about one half mile from the Sequatchie County border and quickly intensified to a strong EF-2 tornado with winds of 130 mph as it crossed into Sequatchie County. A double wide mobile home was completely destroyed and an adjacent church roof was heavily damaged. The ... EF2 7.59 mi x 350 yd 0 2 –
2006-07-21 Thunderstorm WindDunlap, Sequatchie County High winds picked up a yard sale tent and a pole supporting the tent crashed through a truck window into the leg of the driver near Ewtonville Baptist Church on U.S. Highway 127. 60 kt wind 0 1 $1K

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.

The costliest records in Sequatchie County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2003-05-05 Flash FloodCountywide, Sequatchie County 0 0 $9.0M
2011-04-27 TornadoDaus, Sequatchie County EF4 7.86 mi x 880 yd 0 0 $328K
2003-02-14 FloodSequatchie County · forecast zone Sequatchie 0 0 $305K
2011-04-27 TornadoDunlap, Sequatchie County EF2 4.5 mi x 250 yd 0 0 $262K
1997-03-28 TornadoCagle, Sequatchie County F2 6 mi x 440 yd 0 0 $184K
2009-04-10 TornadoDunlap, Sequatchie County EF2 5 mi x 175 yd 0 0 $138K
2011-04-27 TornadoDunlap, Sequatchie County EF1 3.4 mi x 80 yd 0 0 $98K
2025-06-27 Thunderstorm WindCenter Pt, Sequatchie County 65 kt wind 0 0 $50K

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 $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: August 12, 1964 (tornado, Sequatchie County).

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 Sequatchie 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).

Sequatchie County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind002416594722
Hail0013121584
Winter storms––––6141011
Floods––––11258
Tornadoes01002340

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 Sequatchie County. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 23 · Feb 34 · Mar 32 · Apr 50 · May 34 · Jun 36 · Jul 25 · Aug 13 · Sep 8 · Oct 7 · Nov 7 · Dec 10 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Sequatchie County

FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include Sequatchie County: 13 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 3 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (10) and fire (3).

Declarations including Sequatchie County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2026-02-06DR-4898Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2026-01-24EM-3635Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2025-04-02EM-3625Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2020-04-02DR-4514BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3473BiologicalCovid-19
2019-04-17DR-4427FloodSevere Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
2016-11-11FM-5160FireSmith Mountain Fire Complex
2014-08-13DR-4189Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2011-05-01DR-1974Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding
2009-05-15DR-1839Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2005-09-05EM-3217HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2003-05-08DR-1464Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2003-03-20DR-1456Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
2001-11-03FM-2387FireTn - Chattanooga Fire Complex - 11/03/01
1999-04-13FM-2250FireTn - Wildfires 4/13/99
1999-01-15DR-1260Severe StormSevere Winter Storm
1998-01-13DR-1197Severe StormSevere Storms and Flooding
1997-04-02DR-1171Severe StormSevere Storms and Tornadoes
1994-02-28DR-1010Severe StormSevere Winter Ice Storm,Flash Flooding
1993-03-14EM-3095SnowstormSevere Snowfall, Winter Storm
1973-03-21DR-366FloodHeavy Rains & 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 Sequatchie County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 26 flood or flash flood records for Sequatchie County from 1998 to 2025, on 24 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Sequatchie County ranks 2085th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $134,000 on 20 claims filed in Sequatchie County; the most in one year was 14 in 2009. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

2003: 3 · 2009: 14 · 2019: 1 · 2024: 2; 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 Sequatchie County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sequatchie County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $11.0 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Sequatchie County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$5.4M1 a year (modeled)
LandslideRelatively Low$6Konce in about 2 years (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Low$992Konce in about 6 years (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively Low$46K5.5 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Low$361K4.9 a year (modeled)
Riverine FloodingRelatively Low$3.6Mabout once a year (modeled)
LightningRelatively Low$102K62 a year (modeled)
EarthquakeVery Low$271Konce in about 311 years (modeled)

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.

Counties that share a border with Sequatchie County

  1. Hamilton County 868
  2. Warren County 441
  3. Marion County 422
  4. Bledsoe County 333
  5. Grundy County 302
  6. Sequatchie County 279
  7. Van Buren County 200

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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