Tunica County, Mississippi
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 28143 · population 9,775 · 454 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 384 records for Tunica County, Mississippi from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 348 days; the most frequent are heat records (135 records). 229 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 April 1, 2008 flood: 2 deaths and $274,000 in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 18 declarations naming the county since 1973, 16 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
- 384on 348 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 313 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $1.3Bas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 13strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 18latest 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 Tunica County most?
The most frequent records are heat records: 135 since 2007. 78% of its heat records since 2007 fell in July and August. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | 135 | 133 | 2007-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 of 82 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 91 | 77 | 1963-2026 | 0 | 2 | $2.7M | 70 of 82 |
| Winter storms | 45 | 45 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $91K | 5 of 82 |
| Hail | 36 | 33 | 1967-2026 | 0 | 0 | $29K | 73 of 82 |
| Drought | 32 | 32 | 2007-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 4 of 82 |
| Floods | 15 | 15 | 1997-2025 | 2 | 0 | $1.3B | 65 of 82 |
| Tornadoes | 13 | 11 | 1962-2023 | 1 | 11 | $13M | 80 of 82 |
| Extreme cold | 11 | 10 | 2007-2026 | 0 | 0 | $75K | 5 of 82 |
| High wind and dust storms | 3 | 3 | 2008-2023 | 0 | 0 | $19K | 60 of 82 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 2 | 2 | 2005-2005 | 0 | 0 | $30K | 64 of 82 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2002-2002 | 0 | 0 | $16K | 65 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 Tunica County had?
NOAA records 13 tornadoes in Tunica County from 1962 to 2023, the strongest rated F2, with 1 death and 11 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 13 tornadoes whose track touched Tunica County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 13, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962-04-28 21:30, as SPC files it | Eudora | F2 | 34.6 mi | 1 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Mississippi.
Every tornado record filed for Tunica County (13)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-03-31 | Tunica County | EF1 9.16 mi x 1,200 yd | 0 | 0 | $291K |
| 2019-04-25 | Pink, Tunica County | EF0 0.19 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2013-12-21 | Hamlin, Tunica County | EF1 2.67 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $317K |
| 2011-04-26 | Hamlin, Tunica County | EF0 3.59 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $33K |
| 1994-06-09 | Penton, Tunica County | F0 2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 1986-02-17 | Tunica County | F1 1.5 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1986-02-17 | Tunica County | F1 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1985-02-23 | Tunica County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1985-02-23 | Tunica County | F1 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1983-05-14 | Tunica County | F2 2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 2 | $2.5M step |
| 1978-12-03 | Tunica County | 0 | 0 | $250K step | |
| 1975-02-22 | Tunica County | F2 5.2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 3 | $250K step |
| 1962-04-28 | Tunica County | F2 26.7 mi x 1,760 yd | 1 | 5 | $250K 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 Tunica County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 15, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($5,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-30 | HeatTunica County · forecast zone Tunica | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-29 | HeatTunica County · forecast zone Tunica | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-13 | HeatTunica County · forecast zone Tunica | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-09 | HeatTunica County · forecast zone Tunica | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtTunica County · forecast zone Tunica | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtTunica County · forecast zone Tunica | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtTunica County · forecast zone Tunica | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-15 | Thunderstorm WindPrichard, Tunica County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2026-03-15 | Thunderstorm WindBanks, Tunica County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2026-03-01 | DroughtTunica County · forecast zone Tunica | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-26 | HailTunica County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-01 | Cold/Wind ChillTunica County · forecast zone Tunica | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-04-01 | FloodFox Is, Tunica County The Mississippi River rose to 10 year historical levels in Tunica County. The high levels brought flood water into a few homes in the Tunica Cut-Off Lake area. Voluntary evacuations orders were posted for the area. Two deaths occurred from the flooding. A 23 year old drowned when he fell into the flood water when ... | 2 | 0 | $274K | |
| 1962-04-28 | TornadoTunica County | F2 26.7 mi x 1,760 yd | 1 | 5 | $250K step |
| 1975-02-22 | TornadoTunica County | F2 5.2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 3 | $250K step |
| 2020-01-11 | Thunderstorm WindTunica County Thunderstorm winds moved across Tunica, MS and areas south and east of the community. Several industrial buildings were damaged south of town. The Tunica AWOS recorded a peak wind gust of 79 mph. East of the airport, an apartment roof, mobile home, and a large storage shed were damaged. In total, across Tunica County, ... | 70 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $570K |
| 1983-05-14 | TornadoTunica County | F2 2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 2 | $2.5M step |
| 2013-12-21 | TornadoHamlin, Tunica County A tornado touched down on Flea Harbor Road in Southern Tunica County and traveled northeast. A church was pushed off its foundation by 10 feet or more. Multiple homes were damaged on Flea Harbor Road. A trailer was rolled and debris was thrown at least a mile from home. Power lines were snapped with large power lines ... | EF1 2.67 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $317K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-05-01 | FloodJeffries, Tunica County | 0 | 0 | $1.3B | |
| 2016-03-10 | FloodRobinsonsville, Tunica County | 0 | 0 | $2.1M | |
| 2003-07-13 | Thunderstorm WindTunica County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $642K |
| 2020-01-11 | Thunderstorm WindTunica County | 70 kt wind | 0 | 2 | $570K |
| 2013-12-21 | TornadoHamlin, Tunica County | EF1 2.67 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 1 | $317K |
| 2023-03-31 | TornadoTunica County | EF1 9.16 mi x 1,200 yd | 0 | 0 | $291K |
| 2008-04-01 | FloodFox Is, Tunica County | 2 | 0 | $274K | |
| 2008-03-28 | FloodFox Is, Tunica County | 0 | 0 | $274K |
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 $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: May 14, 1983 (tornado, Tunica 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 Tunica 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | – | – | – | – | 0 | 1 | 39 | 95 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 3 | 11 | 19 | 12 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 18 | 6 | 6 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 3 | 15 | 14 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 1 | 4 | 8 | 2 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
78% of its heat records since 2007 fell in July and August. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 34 · Feb 32 · Mar 32 · Apr 36 · May 28 · Jun 47 · Jul 68 · Aug 57 · Sep 10 · Oct 13 · Nov 8 · Dec 19 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Tunica County
FEMA's register lists 18 declarations that include Tunica County: 12 major disasters, 6 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (5) 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 |
| 2020-04-16 | DR-4536 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2020-04-05 | DR-4528 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3474 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2016-03-25 | DR-4268 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2011-05-11 | DR-1983 | Flood | Flooding |
| 2011-05-04 | EM-3320 | Flood | Flooding |
| 2011-04-29 | DR-1972 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated 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 |
| 1997-06-13 | DR-1178 | Flood | Flooding |
| 1994-02-18 | DR-1009 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Freeezing Rain and Sleet |
| 1977-02-22 | EM-3032 | Snowstorm | Drought & Freezing |
| 1973-03-27 | DR-368 | Severe Storm | Heavy Rains, Tornadoes & 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 Tunica County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 15 flood or flash flood records for Tunica County from 1997 to 2025, on 15 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Tunica County ranks 555th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $4.9 million on 449 claims filed in Tunica County; the most in one year was 99 in 1983. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 1 · 1979: 71 · 1980: 4 · 1981: 2 · 1982: 3 · 1983: 99 · 1984: 63 · 1987: 1 · 1989: 2 · 1990: 1 · 1991: 9 · 1993: 2 · 1994: 11 · 1995: 23 · 1996: 5 · 1997: 42 · 1998: 2 · 1999: 1 · 2002: 13 · 2003: 1 · 2005: 2 · 2008: 17 · 2009: 1 · 2011: 65 · 2015: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2019: 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 Tunica County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Tunica County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $7.5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $418K | 13 modeled event-days a year |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $2.9M | once in about 161 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $400K | 23 modeled event-days a year |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.1M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $65K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $361K | 1.4 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $175K | 1.3 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $60K | 62 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 Tunica 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
- Heat in MississippiThe state's heat records, 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 Tunica CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Tunica County's FEMA declarations (CSV)18 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis