Tippah County, Mississippi
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 28139 · population 21,783 · 458 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 381 records for Tippah County, Mississippi from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 317 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (109 records). The deadliest single record is the January 23, 2026 ice storm, filed for the forecast zone Tippah, which covers the county: 2 deaths and $5.5 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 20 declarations naming the county since 1971, 18 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
- 381on 317 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 314 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $19Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 23strongest EF4
- 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 Tippah County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 109 since 1956. The rank column places the county among Mississippi'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 | 109 | 94 | 1956-2026 | 0 | 2 | $1.4M | 60 of 82 |
| Heat | 80 | 79 | 2007-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 16 of 82 |
| Hail | 69 | 49 | 1960-2026 | 0 | 0 | $187K | 54 of 82 |
| Winter storms | 43 | 43 | 1996-2026 | 2 | 0 | $5.5M | 6 of 82 |
| Tornadoes | 23 | 20 | 1962-2025 | 1 | 12 | $8.5M | 54 of 82 |
| Floods | 20 | 20 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 0 | $2.1M | 52 of 82 |
| Drought | 17 | 17 | 2007-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 27 of 82 |
| Extreme cold | 10 | 9 | 2007-2026 | 0 | 0 | $700K | 6 of 82 |
| Lightning | 5 | 5 | 1998-2012 | 0 | 0 | $37K | 22 of 82 |
| High wind and dust storms | 4 | 4 | 2008-2023 | 0 | 0 | $85K | 53 of 82 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 1 | 1 | 2005-2005 | 0 | 0 | $45K | 75 of 82 |
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 Tippah County had?
NOAA records 23 tornadoes in Tippah County from 1962 to 2025, the strongest rated EF4, with 1 death and 12 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 24 tornadoes whose track touched Tippah County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 23: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 16 people, 1 of them in Tippah County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-12-23 16:10, as SPC files it | WalnutCrossed MS, TN | EF4 | 75.09 mi | 9 |
| 1970-04-19 12:06, as SPC files it | Ripley to CorinthCrossed MS, TN | F4 | 47.6 mi | 4 |
| 2010-05-02 01:48, as SPC files it | Ashland to WalnutCrossed MS, TN | EF3 | 29.58 mi | 3 |
| 1991-03-22 16:00, as SPC files it | Walnut | F3 | 23 mi | 0 |
| 1975-02-22 22:00, as SPC files it | Blue Mountain | F3 | 26.3 mi | 0 |
| 1972-09-29 18:00, as SPC files it | Ripley to Booneville | F3 | 45.5 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Mississippi.
Every tornado record filed for Tippah County (23)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-05 | Dumas, Tippah County | EF0 1.7 mi x 600 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2025-04-02 | Brownfield, Tippah County | EF2 3.53 mi x 450 yd | 0 | 3 | $300K |
| 2023-02-16 | Ripley Airport, Tippah County | EF2 11.01 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 1 | $484K |
| 2019-03-09 | Falkner, Tippah County | EF0 0.03 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-03-09 | Walnut, Tippah County | EF0 3.1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $289K |
| 2015-12-23 | Tiplersville, Tippah County | EF4 7.83 mi x 1,300 yd | 1 | 5 | $3.1M |
| 2011-04-27 | Peoples, Tippah County | EF1 2.13 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $39K |
| 2010-05-02 | Tiplersville, Tippah County | EF3 9.76 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $677K |
| 2010-05-01 | Bluff, Tippah County | EF1 8.01 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $169K |
| 2008-02-05 | Whitten Town, Tippah County | EF0 1.35 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $69K |
| 2008-02-05 | Tiplersville, Tippah County | EF0 2.48 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $137K |
| 2004-05-30 | Walnut, Tippah County | F1 0.2 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $156K |
| 2003-05-05 | Walnut, Tippah County | F0 0.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 1994-06-26 | Peoples, Tippah County | F0 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $100K |
| 1994-06-26 | Walnut, Tippah County | F0 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $100K |
| 1991-03-22 | Tippah County | F3 13 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 3 | $250K step |
| 1984-04-21 | Tippah County | F1 0.5 mi x 77 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1983-05-18 | Tippah County | F1 0.5 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1975-02-22 | Tippah County | F3 7.6 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1972-09-29 | Tippah County | F3 14.6 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1970-04-19 | Tippah County | F4 15.7 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1965-09-10 | Tippah County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1962-02-23 | Tippah County | F2 5.6 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 Tippah County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 15, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
Trees were uprooted on Highway 2 near the Alcorn County line.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1326548)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-30 | HeatTippah County · forecast zone Tippah | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-29 | HeatTippah County · forecast zone Tippah | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-01 | HailRipley, Tippah County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtTippah County · forecast zone Tippah | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-15 | Thunderstorm WindPeoples, Tippah County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-03-15 | Thunderstorm WindGravestown, Tippah County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $20K |
| 2026-02-26 | HailDumas, Tippah County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-01 | Cold/Wind ChillTippah County · forecast zone Tippah | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-31 | Cold/Wind ChillTippah County · forecast zone Tippah | 0 | 0 | $700K | |
| 2026-01-27 | Cold/Wind ChillTippah County · forecast zone Tippah | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-26 | Cold/Wind ChillTippah County · forecast zone Tippah | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Cold/Wind ChillTippah County · forecast zone Tippah | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-23 | Ice StormTippah County · forecast zone Tippah Sleet and snow accumulation up to 1 inch, followed by 1/2 to 3/4 inch of ice. | 2 | 0 | $5.5M | |
| 2015-12-23 | TornadoTiplersville, Tippah County The tornado crossed from Benton County Mississippi into Tippah County. The tornado moved across far northwestern Tippah County damaging several homes in the Three Forks Community. One fatality occurred in Tippah County. Over 100 houses were affected and about 45 homes were destroyed. The tornado then crossed the ... | EF4 7.83 mi x 1,300 yd | 1 | 5 | $3.1M |
| 2025-04-02 | TornadoBrownfield, Tippah County As the tornado crossed into Tippah County, more trees were uprooted and trunks were snapped along County Road 104, 105, and 107. A home was shifted off its foundation along County Road 101, along with additional tree damage. The tornado continued along County Road 122, snapping tree trunks and destroying a ... | EF2 3.53 mi x 450 yd | 0 | 3 | $300K |
| 1991-03-22 | TornadoTippah County | F3 13 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 3 | $250K step |
| 1999-05-05 | Thunderstorm WindChalybeate, Tippah County Two mobile homes were destroyed and several other homes were damaged in Chalybeate. A church steeple was blown off in Falkner. Numerous trees were blown down as well. | 0 | 2 | $133K | |
| 2023-02-16 | TornadoRipley Airport, Tippah County The first damage was observed to an area of trees east of Gravestown and just south of Highway 4 West. The tornado quickly intensified and increased in size as it moved east-northeast, approaching the highway. Two high-tension electrical transmission towers were buckled by the tornado with a third suffering lesser ... | EF2 11.01 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 1 | $484K |
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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-23 | Ice StormTippah County · forecast zone Tippah | 2 | 0 | $5.5M | |
| 2015-12-23 | TornadoTiplersville, Tippah County | EF4 7.83 mi x 1,300 yd | 1 | 5 | $3.1M |
| 2010-05-01 | Flash FloodFalkner, Tippah County | 0 | 0 | $1.0M | |
| 2010-05-02 | Flash FloodRipley Airport, Tippah County | 0 | 0 | $1.0M | |
| 2026-01-31 | Cold/Wind ChillTippah County · forecast zone Tippah | 0 | 0 | $700K | |
| 2010-05-02 | TornadoTiplersville, Tippah County | EF3 9.76 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $677K |
| 2023-02-16 | TornadoRipley Airport, Tippah County | EF2 11.01 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 1 | $484K |
| 2019-03-09 | TornadoWalnut, Tippah County | EF0 3.1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $289K |
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: March 22, 1991 (tornado, Tippah County); September 29, 1972 (tornado, Tippah 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 Tippah 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 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 18 | 26 | 26 | 18 |
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 0 | 1 | 23 | 56 |
| Hail | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 21 | 8 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 3 | 10 | 20 | 10 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 1 | 7 | 11 | 1 |
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 Tippah County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 27 · Feb 37 · Mar 28 · Apr 38 · May 43 · Jun 56 · Jul 71 · Aug 35 · Sep 13 · Oct 8 · Nov 11 · Dec 14 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Tippah County
FEMA's register lists 20 declarations that include Tippah County: 15 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (10) and hurricane (4).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-06 | DR-4899 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3640 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2021-10-22 | DR-4626 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| 2021-08-28 | EM-3569 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ida |
| 2020-04-05 | DR-4528 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3474 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-12-06 | DR-4470 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2016-01-04 | DR-4248 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2011-04-29 | DR-1972 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding |
| 2010-05-14 | DR-1916 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2008-08-30 | EM-3291 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gustav |
| 2005-08-29 | DR-1604 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| 2001-12-07 | DR-1398 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 2001-02-23 | DR-1360 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Tornadoes |
| 1994-02-18 | DR-1009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Freeezing Rain and Sleet |
| 1991-05-17 | DR-906 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1990-02-28 | DR-859 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1977-02-22 | EM-3032 | Snowstorm | Drought & Freezing |
| 1973-03-27 | DR-368 | Severe Storm | Heavy Rains, Tornadoes & Flooding |
| 1971-02-22 | DR-302 | Tornado | Storms & Tornadoes |
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 Tippah County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 20 flood or flash flood records for Tippah County from 1996 to 2021, on 20 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Tippah County ranks 2477th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $37,000 on 7 claims filed in Tippah County; the most in one year was 2 in 1983. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1983: 2 · 1991: 2 · 2001: 1 · 2010: 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 Tippah County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Tippah County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $10.1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $2.7M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $1.5M | 1.2 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $2.3M | once in about 209 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $6K | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $560K | 15 modeled event-days a year |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $138K | once in about 21 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $180K | 62 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $80K | 12 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Tippah 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 MississippiEvery Mississippi tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in MississippiThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The Mississippi recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Tippah CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Tippah County's FEMA declarations (CSV)20 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis