Sussex County, New Jersey
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 34037 · population 144,119 · 518 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 1,230 records for Sussex County, New Jersey from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 945 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (420 records). 752 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 January 28, 2005 cold/wind chill, filed for the forecast zone Sussex, which covers the county: 2 deaths. FEMA has issued 28 declarations naming the county since 1965, 25 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Remnants of Hurricane Ida” on September 5, 2021.
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
- 1,230on 945 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 854 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $464Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 4strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 28latest 2021
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 Sussex County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 420 since 1996. 51% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. The rank column places the county among New Jersey'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 420 | 414 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 11 | $5.6M | 6 of 20 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 310 | 169 | 1974-2026 | 1 | 22 | $1.6M | 17 of 20 |
| High wind and dust storms | 144 | 141 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 1 | $130M | 15 of 20 |
| Floods | 53 | 48 | 1996-2023 | 0 | 0 | $324M | 20 of 20 |
| Hail | 52 | 35 | 1975-2023 | 0 | 0 | $2K | 18 of 20 |
| Heat | 52 | 52 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 18 of 20 |
| Heavy rain | 43 | 41 | 1996-2016 | 2 | 2 | – | 20 of 20 |
| Drought | 39 | 39 | 1997-2015 | 0 | 0 | – | 15 of 20 |
| Extreme cold | 38 | 37 | 1996-2023 | 2 | 0 | – | 11 of 20 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 34 | 31 | 1999-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 16 of 20 |
| Lightning | 26 | 21 | 1996-2025 | 1 | 16 | $306K | 17 of 20 |
| Wildfires | 12 | 12 | 2001-2015 | 0 | 2 | $249K | 7 of 20 |
| Tornadoes | 4 | 4 | 1989-2019 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 20 of 20 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 3 | 2 | 2011-2020 | 0 | 0 | $328K | 20 of 20 |
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 Sussex County had?
NOAA records 4 tornadoes in Sussex County from 1989 to 2019, 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 4 tornadoes whose track touched Sussex County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 4, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in New Jersey.
Every tornado record filed for Sussex County (4)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-05-28 | Brookwood, Sussex County | EF1 1.25 mi x 350 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-07-29 | Libertyville, Sussex County | EF2 6.56 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.4M |
| 1990-08-13 | Sussex County | F0 22.5 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1989-11-16 | Sussex County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 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 Sussex County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the July 8, 2025 lightning (1 death).
Local news reports that a 28 year old man was injured from a lightning strike while golfing. He later died from his injuries. Time estimated from radar and lightning data.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1284884)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindLibertyville, Sussex County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindBeemerville, Sussex County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-03 | Winter WeatherSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-22 | Winter StormSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-10 | Winter WeatherSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-07 | High WindSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-01-25 | Winter StormSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-18 | Winter WeatherSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-17 | Winter WeatherSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-28 | Winter WeatherSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-26 | Winter WeatherSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-23 | Winter WeatherSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-01-28 | Cold/Wind ChillSussex County · forecast zone Sussex The combination of light winds courtesy of being located under a large high pressure system and snow cover produced for many locations one of the coldest mornings of the winter season in New Jersey. Low temperatures were mainly around zero, but some lows in the northwest part of the state were colder than 10 degrees ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2003-08-10 | Heavy RainWallpack Center, Sussex County Thunderstorms with heavy rain dropped a Doppler Radar storm total estimate of around 2 inches in about 90 minutes in Walpack Township during the evening of the 10th. The heavy rain loosened the soil to such an extent that the next day a 42-year-old woman and a 9-year-old girl were killed when a dead tree fell onto ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2014-03-12 | High WindSussex County · forecast zone Sussex The strong pressure gradient (difference) between an intensifying strong low pressure system and a high pressure system in the Ohio Valley caused high to strong northwest winds to occur across New Jersey from the evening of the 12th following a cold frontal passage through the daytime hours on the 13th. Peak wind ... | 51 kt wind | 1 | 1 | $125K |
| 2025-07-08 | LightningHardystonville, Sussex County Local news reports that a 28 year old man was injured from a lightning strike while golfing. He later died from his injuries. Time estimated from radar and lightning data. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2018-03-02 | High WindSussex County · forecast zone Sussex Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down from strong winds. Nearly 30 roads throughout the county were closed because of downed trees. As of 10 PM Saturday, March 3rd, 23,503 customers were still without power. Free water and ice was provided to affected residents. A wind gust of 48 MPH was reported by a ... | 50 kt wind | 1 | 0 | – |
| 1997-08-16 | Thunderstorm WindColesville, Sussex County A squall line of severe thunderstorms caused widespread tree damage and killed one person in sussex County. Most of the wind damage occurred in the northeast half of the county. Other reports of downed trees in the rest of the county came mainly from Greendell and Stillwater Township. A 64-year-old man was killed by a ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1997-05-06 | Thunderstorm WindBranchville, Sussex County A severe thunderstorm blew over several huge tents at a dog show near Northrup in Frankford Township. Eleven persons were injured, most with minor bruises. Several cars were also damaged when struck by the flying tents, stakes and debris. | 0 | 11 | – | |
| 2001-08-04 | Thunderstorm WindAugusta, Sussex County A severe thunderstorm knocked over several large limbs and blew over an exhibition tent at the Sussex County Fair in Augusta (Frankford Township). Two women were seriously injured (One was knocked unconscious; the other suffered a broken arm.) when the large tent was blown over. Several information booths were blown ... | 50 kt wind | 0 | 6 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-08-12 | Flash FloodSoutheast Portion, Sussex County | 0 | 0 | $285M | |
| 2012-10-29 | High WindSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 69 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $129M |
| 2011-08-28 | FloodFlatbrookville, Sussex County | 0 | 0 | $16M | |
| 1996-01-19 | FloodSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 0 | 0 | $11M | |
| 1999-09-16 | Flash FloodCountywide, Sussex County | 0 | 0 | $4.4M | |
| 2005-04-02 | FloodSussex County · forecast zone Sussex | 0 | 0 | $1.7M | |
| 2007-04-15 | FloodHopatcong, Sussex County | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | |
| 2009-07-29 | TornadoLibertyville, Sussex County | EF2 6.56 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $1.4M |
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 Sussex 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 43 | 169 | 145 | 63 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 44 | 61 | 88 | 105 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 17 | 65 | 57 | 5 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 7 | 22 | 21 | 3 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 18 | 8 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 19 | 20 | 12 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
51% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 166 · Feb 167 · Mar 112 · Apr 66 · May 66 · Jun 115 · Jul 157 · Aug 74 · Sep 56 · Oct 43 · Nov 62 · Dec 146 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Sussex County
FEMA's register lists 28 declarations that include Sussex County: 17 major disasters, 11 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (9) and severe storm (7).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-09-05 | DR-4614 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| 2021-09-02 | EM-3573 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| 2021-04-28 | DR-4597 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2020-12-11 | DR-4574 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaias |
| 2020-03-25 | DR-4488 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3451 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2012-10-30 | DR-4086 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2012-10-28 | EM-3354 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2011-11-30 | DR-4048 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm |
| 2011-10-14 | DR-4039 | Severe Storm | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| 2011-08-31 | DR-4021 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2011-08-27 | EM-3332 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2007-04-26 | DR-1694 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding |
| 2006-07-07 | DR-1653 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-19 | EM-3257 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-04-19 | DR-1588 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2004-10-01 | DR-1563 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2003-03-20 | EM-3181 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2001-09-19 | EM-3169 | Fire | Fires and Explosions |
| 2000-11-01 | EM-3156 | Other | West Nile Virus |
| 2000-08-17 | DR-1337 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides |
| 1999-09-17 | EM-3148 | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1088 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) |
| 1993-03-17 | EM-3106 | Snowstorm | Severe Blizzard |
| 1980-10-19 | EM-3083 | Drought | Water Shortage |
| 1975-07-23 | DR-477 | Flood | Heavy Rains, High Winds, Hail & Tornadoes |
| 1971-09-04 | DR-310 | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding |
| 1965-08-18 | DR-205 | Drought | Water Shortage |
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 Sussex County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 53 flood or flash flood records for Sussex County from 1996 to 2023, on 48 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Sussex County ranks 959th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Irene | 2011-08-27 | 3 | 0 |
| Hurricane Floyd | 1999-09-16 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.0 million on 192 claims filed in Sussex County; the most in one year was 58 in 2011. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 5 · 1979: 6 · 1980: 2 · 1981: 4 · 1982: 1 · 1983: 6 · 1984: 5 · 1985: 1 · 1986: 3 · 1989: 4 · 1991: 2 · 1992: 2 · 1993: 3 · 1994: 1 · 1995: 2 · 1996: 13 · 1998: 1 · 1999: 10 · 2000: 11 · 2003: 1 · 2004: 6 · 2005: 9 · 2006: 8 · 2007: 5 · 2008: 4 · 2009: 2 · 2010: 4 · 2011: 58 · 2014: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 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 Sussex County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sussex County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $58.7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Wind | Very High | $9.1M | 5.1 a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High | $16M | 1.5 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $307K | 16 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $27M | 1.7 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $683K | 31 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $58K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $1.1M | once in about 16 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $1.3M | once in about 712 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Sussex 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 New JerseyEvery New Jersey tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Winter storms in New JerseyThe state's winter storm records, by county, year and month
- The New Jersey recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Sussex CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Sussex County's FEMA declarations (CSV)28 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis