Weakley County, Tennessee

County storm and disaster record · FIPS 47183 · population 32,891 · 580 sq mi

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 528 records for Weakley County, Tennessee from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 408 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (167 records). The deadliest single record is the May 4, 2021 thunderstorm wind: 1 death. FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1975, 19 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
528on 408 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
Deaths recorded
464 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$33Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Tornadoes
29strongest EF3
FEMA declarations
21latest 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 Weakley County most?

The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 167 since 1961. 44% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1961 fell in May and June. The rank column places the county among Tennessee's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.

Weakley County: records by hazard, 1950 to June 30, 2026
HazardRecordsDaysFirst, lastKilledInjuredDamageRank in state
Severe thunderstorm wind 167 123 1961-2026 1 7 $5.4M 86 of 95
Heat 88 88 2007-2026 0 0 – 17 of 95
Hail 75 57 1969-2025 0 0 $67K 64 of 95
Winter storms 67 66 1996-2025 0 0 $53K 58 of 95
Floods 37 29 1997-2025 0 0 $3.9M 87 of 95
Drought 32 32 2007-2026 0 0 – 45 of 95
Tornadoes 29 25 1953-2025 0 46 $24M 27 of 95
Extreme cold 12 12 2007-2026 1 0 – 14 of 95
High wind and dust storms 8 8 1999-2026 0 0 $215K 67 of 95
Lightning 8 8 1996-2018 2 11 $141K 25 of 95
Heavy rain 3 1 2023-2023 0 0 – 55 of 95
Hurricanes and tropical storms 2 2 2005-2008 0 0 $152K 15 of 95

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 Weakley County had?

NOAA records 29 tornadoes in Weakley County from 1953 to 2025, the strongest rated EF3, with 0 deaths and 46 injuries recorded in the county. That is 27th of 95 Tennessee 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 28 tornadoes whose track touched Weakley County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 29: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 6 people, 0 of them in Weakley County.

The deadliest and strongest tornadoes that touched Weakley County, whole tracks
DateTornadoRatingPathKilled
2006-04-02 19:09, as SPC files itDyer to BradfordF331 mi6
1994-11-27 15:05, as SPC files itUnnamedF36 mi0

Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Tennessee.

Every tornado record filed for Weakley County (29)
Every tornado recorded in Weakley County, newest first
DatePlaceCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2025-04-02 Fairview, Weakley County EF1 3.41 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $25K
2025-04-02 Ruthville, Weakley County EF2 6.38 mi x 350 yd 0 0 $250K
2023-12-09 Sidonia, Weakley County EF1 15.29 mi x 600 yd 0 2 $484K
2021-12-10 Sidonia, Weakley County EF3 25.83 mi x 1,000 yd 0 30 $6.6M
2020-01-11 Hillside, Weakley County EF0 0.08 mi x 75 yd 0 0 $17K
2018-02-24 Liberty, Weakley County EF0 7.38 mi x 75 yd 0 0 $29K
2018-02-24 Ruthville, Weakley County EF0 5.15 mi x 75 yd 0 0 $59K
2011-04-25 Ruthville, Weakley County EF1 10.25 mi x 225 yd 0 0 $66K
2008-02-05 Palmersville, Weakley County EF0 0.76 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $14K
2006-04-02 Greenfield, Weakley County F3 5 mi x 200 yd 0 2 $732K
2005-11-15 Greenfield, Weakley County F1 2 mi x 150 yd 0 0 $151K
2003-05-04 Martin, Weakley County F2 4 mi x 250 yd 0 0 $1.2M
2003-05-04 Gleason, Weakley County F1 3 mi x 100 yd 0 0 $48K
1994-11-27 Latham, Weakley County F3 6 mi x 300 yd 0 2 $10.0M
1994-06-09 Sharon, Weakley County F0 1 mi x 10 yd 0 0 $995
1988-05-03 Weakley County F0 1.5 mi x 50 yd 0 0 $25K step
1984-07-26 Weakley County F1 0.6 mi x 30 yd 0 0 $25K step
1982-04-02 Weakley County F2 5.5 mi x 77 yd 0 0 $250K step
1977-12-04 Weakley County F0 0.1 mi x 33 yd 0 3 $250K step
1975-04-24 Weakley County F1 0.5 mi x 200 yd 0 1 $25K step
1973-11-26 Weakley County F2 0.5 mi x 27 yd 0 0 $25K step
1972-04-21 Weakley County F1 1.3 mi x 7 yd 0 1 $3K step
1971-04-27 Weakley County F1 21 mi x 73 yd 0 3 $25K step
1967-12-11 Weakley County F1 0.1 mi x 7 yd 0 0 $25K step
1967-05-15 Weakley County F1 0.1 mi x 7 yd 0 0 –
1957-07-04 Weakley County F2 2 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $25K step
1957-07-04 Weakley County F2 2 mi x 200 yd 0 0 $25K step
1953-04-15 Weakley County F1 0.5 mi x 150 yd 0 1 $25K step
1953-03-14 Weakley County F2 0.3 mi x 600 yd 0 1 $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 Weakley County?

The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 13, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($10,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).

The 12 most recent records kept for Weakley County
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-06-30 HeatWeakley County · forecast zone Weakley 0 0 –
2026-06-29 HeatWeakley County · forecast zone Weakley 0 0 –
2026-06-13 Thunderstorm WindSharon, Weakley County 50 kt wind 0 0 $10K
2026-06-01 DroughtWeakley County · forecast zone Weakley 0 0 –
2026-06-01 Thunderstorm WindLiberty, Weakley County 50 kt wind 0 0 $5K
2026-05-01 DroughtWeakley County · forecast zone Weakley 0 0 –
2026-04-16 Strong WindWeakley County · forecast zone Weakley 43 kt wind 0 0 $2K
2026-04-16 Thunderstorm WindRalston, Weakley County 50 kt wind 0 0 $10K
2026-04-01 DroughtWeakley County · forecast zone Weakley 0 0 –
2026-03-24 DroughtWeakley County · forecast zone Weakley 0 0 –
2026-03-15 Thunderstorm WindMartin, Weakley County 50 kt wind 0 0 $4K
2026-02-01 Cold/Wind ChillWeakley County · forecast zone Weakley 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

Records with deaths or injuries in Weakley County, most deaths first
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2021-05-04 Thunderstorm WindLiberty, Weakley County Straight-line winds knocked down numerous trees and power lines south of Dresden. Trees fell on a total of seven mobile homes resulting in significant damage. A fatality occurred in one of the mobile homes. A metal building was also damaged near Dresden. 74 kt wind 1 0 –
2018-05-28 LightningPillowville, Weakley County Weakley County Sheriff stated deputies and a McKenzie ambulance responded to 1280 Blaylock Store Road late Monday afternoon. A group of children had been playing outside under a tree at the residence when the tree was struck by lightning. One of the children was killed by the lightning strike. 1 0 –
2015-02-17 Cold/Wind ChillWeakley County · forecast zone Weakley Bitter cold caused a hypothermia death. 1 0 –
2006-09-10 LightningMartin, Weakley County A child was killed by a lightning strike while playing outdoors. 1 0 –
2021-12-10 TornadoSidonia, Weakley County The tornado tracked from Gibson County northeast into Weakley County. The tornado passed north of Sharon mainly uprooting and snapping trees. The tornado strengthened as it approached Dresden causing significant damage to several homes along Highway 89. The tornado was at its peak intensity as it moved through ... EF3 25.83 mi x 1,000 yd 0 30 $6.6M
2001-08-11 LightningDresden, Weakley County Eleven people were injured when lightning struck during a burial ceremony at a cemetery. 0 11 –
1977-12-04 TornadoWeakley County F0 0.1 mi x 33 yd 0 3 $250K step
1971-04-27 TornadoWeakley County F1 21 mi x 73 yd 0 3 $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.

The costliest records in Weakley County since 1993, damage in 2025 dollars
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2021-12-10 TornadoSidonia, Weakley County EF3 25.83 mi x 1,000 yd 0 30 $6.6M
1997-03-01 FloodWeakley County · forecast zone Weakley 0 0 $2.8M
2011-04-25 Thunderstorm WindSharon, Weakley County 50 kt wind 0 2 $1.3M
2003-05-04 TornadoMartin, Weakley County F2 4 mi x 250 yd 0 0 $1.2M
2006-04-02 TornadoGreenfield, Weakley County F3 5 mi x 200 yd 0 2 $732K
2011-04-19 Thunderstorm WindSharon, Weakley County 61 kt wind 0 0 $731K
2023-08-04 Flash FloodMt Pelia, Weakley County 0 0 $484K
2023-12-09 TornadoSidonia, Weakley County EF1 15.29 mi x 600 yd 0 2 $484K

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: December 4, 1977 (tornado, Weakley County); April 2, 1982 (tornado, Weakley 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 Weakley 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).

Weakley County: records per decade (the 2020s to June 30, 2026)
Hazard1950s1960s1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020-26
Severe thunderstorm wind0441331373939
Heat––––012463
Hail011619231213
Winter storms––––3153118
Floods––––471412
Drought––––0515 z12

Drought in the 2010s: 15 records against 5 in the decade before, 15 of them forecast-zone records. Cells marked z rose mostly through zone records. The local National Weather Service office files these once per forecast zone, so a change in how it draws its zones or splits a storm into records moves this count as much as the weather does; read it beside the Weakley County days with a record above.

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).

What time of year?

44% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1961 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.

The values, month by month

Jan 40 · Feb 63 · Mar 32 · Apr 68 · May 81 · Jun 64 · Jul 78 · Aug 37 · Sep 10 · Oct 8 · Nov 20 · Dec 27 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

Federal disaster declarations for Weakley County

FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include Weakley County: 16 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (11) and tornado (3).

Declarations including Weakley County, newest first
DeclaredNumberTypeTitle
2026-02-06DR-4898Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2026-01-24EM-3635Winter StormSevere Winter Storm
2025-04-02EM-3625Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2023-12-13DR-4751Severe StormSevere Storms and Tornadoes
2022-03-11DR-4645Severe StormSevere Winter Storm
2022-01-14DR-4637TornadoSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes
2021-12-13EM-3576TornadoSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes
2020-07-09DR-4550Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2020-04-02DR-4514BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
2020-03-13EM-3473BiologicalCovid-19
2014-08-13DR-4189Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding
2011-05-09DR-1979Severe StormSevere Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2011-05-01DR-1974Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Associated Flooding
2009-02-17DR-1821Severe Ice StormSevere Winter Storm and Flooding
2006-04-05DR-1634Severe StormSevere Storms and Tornadoes
2005-09-05EM-3217HurricaneHurricane Katrina Evacuation
2003-05-08DR-1464Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
2000-06-12DR-1331Severe StormSevere Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
1997-03-07DR-1167TornadoHeavy Rains, Tornadoes, Flooding, Hail, High Winds
1994-02-28DR-1010Severe StormSevere Winter Ice Storm,Flash Flooding
1975-03-22DR-459FloodSevere Storms & 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 Weakley County had?

NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 37 flood or flash flood records for Weakley County from 1997 to 2025, on 29 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Weakley County ranks 2155th of 2,942 U.S. counties.

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $74,000 on 17 claims filed in Weakley County; the most in one year was 3 in 1982. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.

The values, year by year

1980: 2 · 1981: 1 · 1982: 3 · 1990: 3 · 1997: 1 · 1998: 1 · 2002: 2 · 2003: 1 · 2005: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2023: 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 Weakley County

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Weakley County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $34.6 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.

National Risk Index ratings for Weakley County (December 2025 release), by FEMA's rating, then score
HazardRisk ratingExpected annual lossModeled frequency
LightningRelatively High$1.5M57 a year (modeled)
EarthquakeRelatively Moderate$18Monce in about 96 years (modeled)
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$5.2M2.4 a year (modeled)
Ice StormRelatively Moderate$483K1.4 a year (modeled)
TornadoRelatively Moderate$3.8Monce in about 2 years (modeled)
Winter WeatherRelatively Moderate$146K7.2 a year (modeled)
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$1.0M3 a year (modeled)
DroughtRelatively Moderate$437K9.2 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 Weakley County

  1. Graves County, KY 892
  2. Hickman County, KY 650
  3. Gibson County 619
  4. Henry County 545
  5. Carroll County 536
  6. Weakley County 528
  7. Obion County 498

Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.

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