Tompkins County, New York
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 36109 · population 105,483 · 475 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 548 records for Tompkins County, New York from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 342 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (263 records). The deadliest single record is the March 6, 1996 heavy snow, filed for the forecast zone Tompkins, which covers the county: 2 deaths and 1 injury. FEMA has issued 20 declarations naming the county since 1970, 16 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm” on July 12, 2017.
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
- 548on 342 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 34 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $51Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 8strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 20latest 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 Tompkins County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 263 since 1960. 55% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1960 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among New York'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 | 263 | 162 | 1960-2026 | 0 | 0 | $3.0M | 13 of 58 |
| Hail | 105 | 50 | 1971-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 12 of 58 |
| Winter storms | 84 | 84 | 1996-2026 | 3 | 2 | $1.3M | 38 of 58 |
| Floods | 40 | 28 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $42M | 37 of 58 |
| Extreme cold | 15 | 14 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | $36K | 37 of 58 |
| High wind and dust storms | 10 | 10 | 1998-2011 | 0 | 0 | $593K | 51 of 58 |
| Tornadoes | 8 | 8 | 1961-2023 | 0 | 0 | $2.3M | 16 of 58 |
| Drought | 7 | 7 | 1998-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 9 of 58 |
| Lightning | 7 | 6 | 2000-2020 | 0 | 2 | $175K | 23 of 58 |
| Heat | 4 | 4 | 2001-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 27 of 58 |
| Heavy rain | 3 | 3 | 2000-2009 | 0 | 0 | – | 14 of 58 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2010-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 12 of 58 |
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 Tompkins County had?
NOAA records 8 tornadoes in Tompkins County from 1961 to 2023, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 16th of 58 New York counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. 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 9 tornadoes whose track touched Tompkins County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 8: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person, 0 of them in Tompkins County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-08-28 13:30, as SPC files it | Trumansburg | F1 | 13 mi | 1 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in New York.
Every tornado record filed for Tompkins County (8)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-08-07 | Dryden, Tompkins County | EF0 1.4 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2021-06-21 | Etna, Tompkins County | EF1 2.8 mi x 85 yd | 0 | 0 | $53K |
| 2011-04-28 | Newfield Skyhook Arp, Tompkins County | EF1 2.06 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $164K |
| 1994-08-21 | Dryden, Tompkins County | F0 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $995K |
| 1988-08-28 | Tompkins County | F1 4 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1977-06-18 | Tompkins County | 0 | 0 | $3K step | |
| 1969-06-20 | Tompkins County | F1 2 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1961-08-25 | Tompkins County | F0 | 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 Tompkins County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 18, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($5,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-30 | HailSouth Lansing, Tompkins County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-30 | HailMc Kinneys Pt, Tompkins County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-30 | HailSouth Lansing, Tompkins County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindIthaca, Tompkins County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2026-06-11 | Thunderstorm WindTrumansburg, Tompkins County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-05-29 | Thunderstorm WindNubia, Tompkins County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $500 |
| 2026-03-31 | Flash FloodLake Ridge Pt, Tompkins County | 0 | 0 | $5K | |
| 2026-03-31 | Flash FloodApplegate Corner, Tompkins County | 0 | 0 | $5K | |
| 2026-03-31 | Flash FloodMc Kinneys Pt, Tompkins County | 0 | 0 | $50K | |
| 2026-01-25 | Winter StormTompkins County · forecast zone Tompkins | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-23 | Winter StormTompkins County · forecast zone Tompkins | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-02 | Winter WeatherTompkins County · forecast zone Tompkins | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-03-06 | Heavy SnowTompkins County · forecast zone Tompkins A winter storm formed over the Carolinas and tracked up the coast, bringing heavy snow to central New York. Snowfall accumulations ranged from 6 to 12 inches by the time the snow tapered off on the evening of the 7th. During the height of the storm, many accidents were reported due to poor visibility, including one in ... | 2 | 1 | – | |
| 1996-03-03 | Heavy SnowTompkins County · forecast zone Tompkins Arctic air poured into central New York on gusty west winds producing lake effect snow squalls across the eastern Finger Lakes and western Mohawk Valley, and scattered snow showers elsewhere. Nezr zero visibility in snow squalls forced the closure of many roads throughout central and southern Oneida County, including ... | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2003-08-16 | LightningDryden, Tompkins County Lightning struck a car causing injuries to the driver and damage to the car. The 25 year old woman had pains in her chest and right arm. The car had the damage to the right passenger window, the side view mirror, alternator wires, and one tire. | 0 | 1 | $3K | |
| 2000-09-12 | LightningDryden, Tompkins County Lightning hit 86 year old man, the house he was in and tree in yard. Man not hurt. Tree down by lightning in yard. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-01-19 | Flash FloodCountywide, Tompkins County | 0 | 0 | $36M | |
| 2015-06-14 | Flash FloodTrumbulls Corners, Tompkins County | 0 | 0 | $1.9M | |
| 1996-11-08 | Flash FloodCountywide, Tompkins County | 0 | 0 | $1.7M | |
| 2012-05-03 | HailSouth Hill, Tompkins County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $1.3M |
| 2003-08-29 | Thunderstorm WindGroton, Tompkins County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $642K |
| 2011-09-07 | Flash FloodEllis, Tompkins County | 0 | 0 | $525K | |
| 2005-04-02 | Flash FloodCountywide, Tompkins County | 0 | 0 | $302K | |
| 2011-04-28 | TornadoNewfield Skyhook Arp, Tompkins County | EF1 2.06 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $164K |
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: August 28, 1988 (tornado, Tompkins 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 Tompkins 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 | 6 | 6 | 19 | 51 | 51 | 53 | 77 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 38 | 49 | 10 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 16 | 36 | 18 | 14 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 11 | 14 | 12 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 5 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
55% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1960 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 35 · Feb 19 · Mar 29 · Apr 20 · May 62 · Jun 109 · Jul 114 · Aug 79 · Sep 32 · Oct 14 · Nov 13 · Dec 22 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Tompkins County
FEMA's register lists 20 declarations that include Tompkins County: 14 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (6) and flood (5).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-20 | DR-4480 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3434 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2017-07-12 | DR-4322 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2012-10-28 | EM-3351 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2011-09-13 | DR-4031 | Severe Storm | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| 2006-07-01 | DR-1650 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-30 | EM-3262 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-08-03 | DR-1534 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2003-08-23 | EM-3186 | Other | Power Outage |
| 2001-09-11 | DR-1391 | Fire | Fires and Explosions |
| 2000-10-11 | EM-3155 | Other | West Nile Virus |
| 2000-07-21 | DR-1335 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1998-07-07 | DR-1233 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1996-12-09 | DR-1148 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms High Winds, Rain and Flooding |
| 1996-01-24 | DR-1095 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1993-03-17 | EM-3107 | Snowstorm | Severe Blizzard |
| 1976-07-21 | DR-515 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1975-10-02 | DR-487 | Flood | Storms, Rains, Landslides & Flooding |
| 1972-06-23 | DR-338 | Flood | Tropical Storm Agnes |
| 1970-07-22 | DR-290 | Flood | Heavy 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 Tompkins County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 40 flood or flash flood records for Tompkins County from 1996 to 2026, on 28 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Tompkins County ranks 762nd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm Lee | 2011-09-07 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $1.9 million on 290 claims filed in Tompkins County; the most in one year was 101 in 1981. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 14 · 1979: 12 · 1981: 101 · 1982: 2 · 1983: 1 · 1984: 1 · 1985: 1 · 1986: 2 · 1990: 7 · 1993: 27 · 1994: 12 · 1996: 41 · 1997: 2 · 2001: 1 · 2002: 1 · 2003: 1 · 2004: 2 · 2005: 6 · 2006: 2 · 2007: 1 · 2011: 16 · 2013: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2015: 6 · 2017: 8 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2026: 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 Tompkins County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Tompkins County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $34.8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $30M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $390K | 30 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $160K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $358K | once in about 43 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $355K | 2.2 modeled event-days a year |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.8M | once in about 8 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $364K | 3.1 modeled event-days a year |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $234K | 2.5 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Tompkins 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 YorkEvery New York tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in New YorkThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The New York recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Tompkins CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Tompkins County's FEMA declarations (CSV)20 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis