Surry County, North Carolina
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 37171 · population 71,351 · 533 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 938 records for Surry County, North Carolina from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 506 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (506 records). The deadliest day on its record was January 28, 2014: winter weather records filed for Surry County that day count 2 deaths across 2 records. FEMA has issued 20 declarations naming the county since 1977, 18 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on January 24, 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
- 938on 506 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 726 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $34Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 9strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 20latest 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 Surry County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 506 since 1974. 52% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1974 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among North Carolina'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 | 506 | 255 | 1974-2026 | 0 | 14 | $4.4M | 12 of 100 |
| Hail | 144 | 95 | 1955-2025 | 0 | 0 | $885K | 27 of 100 |
| Floods | 99 | 60 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $3.3M | 20 of 100 |
| Winter storms | 53 | 52 | 1996-2026 | 4 | 5 | $1.4M | 60 of 100 |
| High wind and dust storms | 52 | 51 | 1996-2025 | 2 | 1 | $1.8M | 13 of 100 |
| Drought | 24 | 24 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 0 | $15M | 37 of 100 |
| Heavy rain | 19 | 12 | 2018-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 14 of 100 |
| Lightning | 17 | 14 | 1997-2021 | 0 | 3 | $1.4M | 17 of 100 |
| Extreme cold | 13 | 12 | 1996-2022 | 1 | 0 | $416K | 30 of 100 |
| Tornadoes | 9 | 9 | 1959-2023 | 0 | 3 | $5.1M | 76 of 100 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 1 | 1 | 2020-2020 | 0 | 0 | $13K | 97 of 100 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 1 | 1 | 2020-2020 | 0 | 0 | – | 22 of 100 |
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 Surry County had?
NOAA records 9 tornadoes in Surry County from 1959 to 2023, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 3 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 Surry County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 9: 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 North Carolina.
Every tornado record filed for Surry County (9)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-04-28 | Elkin, Surry County | EF0 0.06 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2022-05-26 | Siloam, Surry County | EF1 2.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $11K |
| 2011-04-05 | Ararat, Surry County | EF1 2.68 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.3M |
| 2010-07-26 | Low Gap, Surry County | EF0 1.8 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $41K |
| 1999-09-29 | Mt Airy, Surry County | F1 2 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $266K |
| 1998-05-07 | Level Cross, Surry County | F1 2.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.4M |
| 1984-04-14 | Surry County | F1 0.1 mi x 3 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1973-05-27 | Surry County | F1 23.2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 3 | $250K step |
| 1959-01-21 | Surry County | F1 0.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $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 Surry County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 22, 2026 thunderstorm wind.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindPilot Mtn, Surry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindPilot Mtn, Surry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindPilot Mtn, Surry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindShoal, Surry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindShoal, Surry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindShoal, Surry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindArarat, Surry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindLevel Cross, Surry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindSiloam, Surry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindStoney Knoll, Surry County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindElkin, Surry County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 2026-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindElkin Municipal Airport, Surry County | 50 kt wind | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-28 | Winter WeatherSurry County · forecast zone Surry A 37-year-old female was killed in a two-vehicle accident on Riverside Drive in Mount Airy when one vehicle lost control because of slick road conditions, crossed the centerline and struck an on-coming vehicle. Four others were injured in the accident. | 1 | 4 | – | |
| 2014-01-28 | Winter WeatherSurry County · forecast zone Surry A 68-year-old female was killed in a single-vehicle accident on Poplar Springs Road in Elkin when slick road conditions caused the vehicle to lose control and strike a tree. Another occupant of the vehicle was injured. | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2020-05-21 | Strong WindSurry County · forecast zone Surry Consistent rainfall over several days saturated the ground, allowing for a strong wind to knock down a tree onto a mobile home, causing significant damage to the structure and killing one occupant who was in his bedroom. | 30 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $34K |
| 2017-01-09 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillSurry County · forecast zone Surry An 85 year old man died after he fell outside of his home and was exposed to cold weather for an unknown period of time. Temperatures on the morning of January 9th were near 10 degrees. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2012-10-29 | High WindSurry County · forecast zone Surry High winds blew an oak tree down in the immediate path of a motorist in the 1400 block of Prison Camp Road near New Hope. There was not time for the driver to react and stop, an accident occurred, and the driver died. The winds also brought down two trees across Cross Creek Drive near Salem. Damage values are ... | 55 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $26K |
| 2010-02-04 | Winter StormSurry County · forecast zone Surry Snow broke out across the county late Thursday evening and continued through the day Friday. It mixed with sleet, rain and freezing rain during the day Friday when warmer air moved in aloft. The precipitation ended as snow showers Friday evening. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 7 inches were common. The snow, ... | 1 | 0 | $271K | |
| 1996-01-06 | Heavy SnowSurry County · forecast zone Surry | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1988-07-18 | Thunderstorm WindSurry County | 0 | 6 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-05-07 | TornadoLevel Cross, Surry County | F1 2.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.4M |
| 2011-04-05 | TornadoArarat, Surry County | EF1 2.68 mi x 250 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.3M |
| 2005-01-14 | Flash FloodMt Airy, Surry County | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | |
| 1998-05-16 | HailMt Airy, Surry County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $815K |
| 1997-07-28 | LightningMt Airy, Surry County | 0 | 0 | $781K | |
| 2018-10-11 | Flash FloodPilot Mtn, Surry County | 0 | 0 | $774K | |
| 2012-06-29 | Thunderstorm WindLow Gap, Surry County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $643K |
| 2018-03-02 | High WindSurry County · forecast zone Surry | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $588K |
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 $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 27, 1973 (tornado, Surry 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 Surry 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 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 28 | 33 | 101 | 183 | 157 |
| Hail | 1 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 20 | 39 | 55 | 14 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 13 | 21 | 24 | 41 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 9 | 16 | 23 | 5 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 8 | 13 | 20 | 11 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 6 | 13 | 0 | 5 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
52% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1974 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 53 · Feb 42 · Mar 39 · Apr 94 · May 125 · Jun 191 · Jul 153 · Aug 111 · Sep 73 · Oct 21 · Nov 12 · Dec 24 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Surry County
FEMA's register lists 20 declarations that include Surry County: 7 major disasters, 13 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (8) and snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3637 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2024-09-28 | DR-4827 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| 2024-09-26 | EM-3617 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| 2024-08-06 | EM-3608 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 2022-10-01 | EM-3586 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| 2020-08-02 | EM-3534 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| 2020-03-25 | DR-4487 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3471 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-09-03 | EM-3423 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| 2019-01-31 | DR-4412 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Michael |
| 2018-09-10 | EM-3401 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2016-10-07 | EM-3380 | Hurricane | Hurricane Matthew |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3222 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 1996-02-23 | DR-1103 | Snowstorm | Winter Storm |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1087 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1993-03-17 | EM-3110 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm |
| 1989-09-25 | DR-844 | Hurricane | Hurricane Hugo |
| 1979-09-29 | DR-605 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1977-08-11 | EM-3049 | Drought | Drought |
| 1977-03-02 | EM-3033 | Snowstorm | Drought & Freezing |
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 Surry County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 99 flood or flash flood records for Surry County from 1996 to 2026, on 60 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Surry County ranks 1470th 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 $1.2 million on 72 claims filed in Surry County; the most in one year was 26 in 1980. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 1 · 1979: 4 · 1980: 26 · 1981: 1 · 1982: 2 · 1983: 9 · 1984: 2 · 1985: 7 · 1987: 1 · 1989: 6 · 1999: 1 · 2003: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2026: 6; 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 Surry County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Surry County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $26.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Wave | Relatively High | $7.0M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | $1.3M | 2.7 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High | $445K | 1.3 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $15M | 2 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $343K | 13 modeled event-days a year |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $8K | 1.2 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $574K | once in about 23 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $645K | once in about 605 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Surry 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 North CarolinaEvery North Carolina tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in North CarolinaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The North Carolina recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Surry CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Surry County's FEMA declarations (CSV)20 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis