Satellite image of Hurricane Isabel entering the state in September 2003
Since 1851, 122 tropical or subtropical cyclones have either directly or indirectly affected the state of Virginia, with the most recent being Helene in 2024. On average, around one tropical storm or its associated remnants can be expected to impact the state annually, with hurricane impacts averaging once every 2.3 years. Regardless of the month, most systems that affect Virginia move from the southwest in a northeasterly direction as a result of complex steering currents driven by the Azores High. Consequently, few tropical cyclones make landfall in Virginia, with the vast majority passing through the state after already being over land.[1]
September 13, 1878 – A tropical storm moved through the state, producing multiple tornadoes.[2][3][4][5]
October 23, 1878 – A Category 2 hurricane moved through eastern Virginia. The hurricane brought destructive winds to much of the state, and resulted in numerous shipwrecks. At least 19 deaths were reported.[2][3][4][5]
August 18, 1879 – A Category 2 hurricane paralleled the Virginia coastline, bringing heavy rain and destructive winds to eastern portions of the state.[2][3][4][5]
October 31, 1887 – While passing well offshore, a tropical storm brought destructive winds to coastal Virginia. Numerous shipwrecks occurred, and in total, at least two deaths were reported.[2][3][4][5]
July 9, 1896 – A tropical depression moved through western Virginia, producing heavy rain and several tornadoes. In total, six deaths were reported.[2][3][4][5]
September 30, 1896 – A Category 1 hurricane moved through the state, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. In total, seven deaths were reported.[2][3][4][5]
October 31, 1899 – A tropical storm moved through the state. The storm produced heavy rainfall and brought high tides to coastal areas.[2][3][4][5]
October 8–10, 1903 – A distant tropical storm brought strong winds and dangerous ocean conditions to the state whilst remaining far offshore, resulting in three deaths.[2][3][4][6]
September 19–20, 1928 – The extratropical remnants of a former hurricane moved through the state, producing moderately heavy rainfall and strong winds.[2][3][4][6]
August 23–24, 1933 – A Category 1 hurricane moved through eastern Virginia, bringing heavy rainfall and damaging winds, as well as a significant storm surge in coastal areas. Cape Henry recorded sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h), while up to 10 in (250 mm) of rain fell in Chesapeake. 18 deaths were reported.[2][3][4][6]
September 16, 1933 – A Category 2 hurricane paralleled the Virginia coastline, bringing destructive high tides and powerful winds to eastern portions of the state.[2][3][4][6]
September 6, 1935 – A tropical storm moved through southeastern Virginia, bringing strong winds and multiple tornadoes. In total, three deaths were reported.[2][3][4][6]
September 18, 1936 – A Category 1 hurricane paralleled the Virginia coastline, producing high winds and destructive flooding, particularly in Norfolk. One death was reported.[2][3][4][6]
September 21, 1938 – A fast-moving Category 3 hurricane brought moderate rainfall and strong winds to areas of coastal Virginia while passing offshore.[2][3][4][6]
September 14, 1944 – A Category 3 hurricane closely paralleled the Virginia coastline, resulting in highly destructive hurricane force winds and major flooding. Sustained winds of 134 mph (216 km/h) lashed Cape Henry, with gusts potentially reaching up to 150 mph (240 km/h). At least 46 deaths were reported in the state.[2][3][4][6]
September 1, 1952 – Former Hurricane Able moved through the state as a tropical storm, producing light rainfall and winds.[2][3][4][8]
October 15, 1954 – The extratropical remnants of Hurricane Hazel moved through the state, producing high winds and significant high tides. In total, 12 deaths were reported.[2][3][4][9][10]
August 13, 1955 – Hurricane Connie entered southeastern Virginia as a Category 1 hurricane, producing heavy rain and high winds. A boat capsized in Chesapeake Bay as a result of the system, killing 11 people. In total, 15 deaths were reported.[2][3][4][9]
August 18, 1955 – Former Hurricane Diane moved through the state as a tropical storm, producing heavy rainfall and significant flooding.[2][3][4][9]
July 10, 1959 – Former Hurricane Cindy moved through southeastern Virginia as a tropical storm, producing several tornadoes.[2][3][4][9]
September 30, 1959 – Former Hurricane Gracie moved through western Virginia as a tropical storm, producing heavy rainfall and multiple destructive tornadoes. In total, 12 deaths were reported.[2][3][4][9]
September 12, 1960 – Hurricane Donna paralleled the Virginia coastline as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing destructive hurricane force winds to eastern portions of the state, as well as heavy rain. In total, three deaths were reported.[2][3][4][9]
September 16–17, 1967 – Former Hurricane Doria paralleled the Virginia coastline as a tropical storm, producing moderately heavy rainfall and strong winds.[2][3][4][9]
August 20, 1969 – Former Hurricane Camille entered the western portion of Virginia as a tropical depression and moved across the state. Enhanced by an approaching cold front, Camille dropped torrential rainfall along the Blue Ridge Mountains, including 27.0 in (690 mm) of rain in just eight hours in Nelson County. This made it the wettest known tropical cyclone in the state. The rains caused flash flooding that killed 153 people and left US$140 million in damage. Camille wrecked or damaged 2,598 houses in the state.[3][4][9][12][13][14]
August 28, 1971 – Tropical Storm Doria moved through southeastern Virginia as a tropical storm, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. One death was reported.[2][3][4][9]
October 2–3, 1971 - Former Hurricane Ginger moved through the state as a tropical depression, bringing heavy rainfall and significant beach erosion along the coast.[2][3][4][9]
July 14–15, 1979 – Former Hurricane Bob slowly moved through the state as a weak tropical depression.[2][3][4]
September 5–6, 1979 – Former Hurricane David moved through the state as a tropical storm, producing significant flooding and winds, as well as several tornadoes. One death was reported.[2][3][4][9][15]
July 25–26, 1985 – Former Hurricane Bob moved through the state as a tropical depression, producing strong winds and multiple tornadoes, including a powerful F3 tornado in Greene County.[2][3][4][19][20]
August 19, 1985 – The extratropical remnants of Hurricane Danny moved through the state, producing heavy rainfall in the Roanoke Valley region. Precipitation amounts ranged from 7 to 8 inches (180 to 200 mm), with estimates of 10 inches (250 mm) in isolated locations.[2][3][4][21][22]
September 22, 1989 – Former Hurricane Hugo moved through western Virginia as a tropical storm, producing strong wind gusts that caused sporadic damage. In total, six deaths were reported.[2][3][4][9][24]
July 13, 1996 – Former Hurricane Bertha moved through the state as a tropical storm, causing minor rainfall and wind gusts.[2][3][4][27]
September 6, 1996 – Former Hurricane Fran moved through the state as a tropical storm, producing major rainfall and significant winds. Up to 16 in (410 mm) of rain fell in Big Meadows, causing flash flooding. Nearby, the South Fork of the Shenandoah River crested up to 37 ft (11 m) in Front Royal, 22 ft (6.7 m) above the 15 ft (4.6 m) flood stage. In total, 11 deaths were reported.[2][3][4][28][29]
July 24, 1997 – Former Hurricane Danny briefly moved through southeastern portions of the state as a tropical storm, producing multiple tornadoes.[2][3][4][30][31]
September 6–7, 1999 – Former Hurricane Dennis moved through the state as a tropical depression, bringing heavy rain and coastal flooding.[2][3][4][32]
September 16, 1999 – Hurricane Floyd moved through southeastern Virginia as a Category 1 hurricane, bringing high winds and torrential rainfall of up to 16.57 in (421 mm) in Newport News. In total, four deaths were reported.[2][3][4][26][33]
September 24, 2000 – Tropical Storm Helene passed near southeastern Virginia as a tropical storm, producing light rain in portions of the state.[2][3][4][35]
June 16–17, 2001 – Tropical Storm Allison briefly moved through southeastern portions of the state as a subtropical depression, causing minor rainfall and killing one person.[2][3][4][36]
September 18–19, 2003 – Hurricane Isabel entered Virginia as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph (121 km/h), causing major damage to multiple regions of the state. Significant rainfall of 20.2 in (510 mm) was measured in Sherando, and a destructive storm surge estimated up to 9 feet (2.7 m) impacted Richmond along the James River. In total, Isabel was responsible for 10 direct and 22 indirect deaths in Virginia, and it remains the most recent tropical cyclone to impact the state at hurricane strength.[2][3][4][38][39]
August 15, 2004 – The extratropical remnants of Hurricane Charley briefly entered far southeastern portions of the state, causing minor rainfall and wind gusts.[2][3][4][40]
August 30–31, 2004 – Former Hurricane Gaston entered southern Virginia as a tropical depression, quickly restrengthening to a tropical storm shortly after whilst over the state. The storm brought major flooding, particularly in the Richmond metropolitan area, where up to 12.60 in (320 mm) of rain fell. In total, nine deaths were reported.[2][3][4][41][42]
September 8, 2004 – Former Hurricane Frances moved through western Virginia as a tropical depression. The storm produced heavy rain of up to 11.50 inches (292 mm) in Big Meadows, as well as multiple tornadoes.[2][3][4][43]
September 17–18, 2004 – Former Hurricane Ivan moved through the state as a tropical depression. The storm produced heavy rain and a major tornado outbreak, with an F3 tornado striking near Remington.[2][3][4][44]
September 28, 2004 – Former Hurricane Jeanne moved through the state as a tropical depression, bringing heavy rain and flash flooding. One drowning-related death was reported in Patrick County.[2][3][4][45]
September 1–2, 2006 – The extratropical remnants of Hurricane Ernesto moved through the state, bringing substantial rainfall and wind damage. Up to 10.43 inches (265 mm) of rain fell in Virginia Beach, and wind gusts up to 76 mph (122 km/h) were observed near the York River. In total, seven deaths were reported.[2][3][4][49][50][51]
September 6, 2008 – Former Hurricane Hanna moved through the state as a tropical storm, producing heavy rainfall of up to 9.65 in (245 mm) in Woodbridge.[2][3][4][52]
June 8, 2013 – The extratropical remnants of Tropical Storm Andrea moved through the state, producing heavy rain. Rainfall totals of up to 7.73 in (196 mm) were observed in Williamsburg, and one death was reported as a result of a traffic accident.[2][3][4][53]
May 11, 2015 – Tropical Storm Ana moved through southeastern portions of the state as a tropical depression, producing little damage.[2][3][4][54]
September 27, 2018 – Former Hurricane Florence moved through western Virginia as a tropical depression, producing flooding and numerous tornadoes. In total, three deaths were reported.[2][3][4][56]
October 12, 2018 – Former Hurricane Michael brought flooding and tornadoes to Virginia after entering the state as a tropical storm, quickly transitioning to an extratropical storm shortly after. Rainfall totals of up to 10 in (250 mm) were observed in the southernmost portions of the state, and over 600,000 customers lost power during the height of the system. In total, five deaths were reported.[2][3][4][57][58]
August 4, 2020 – Former Hurricane Isaias moved through eastern portions of the state as a tropical storm, producing strong winds and several tornadoes. Sustained winds of 72 mph (117 km/h) were observed at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel, with gusts up to 87 mph (141 km/h) in the Chesapeake Channel.[2][3][4][61]
October 29, 2020 – Former Hurricane Zeta briefly brought strong winds to Virginia after entering the state as a tropical storm, quickly transitioning to an extratropical storm shortly after.[2][3][4][62]
July 9, 2021 – Former Hurricane Elsa moved through the state as a tropical storm, producing significant winds and multiple weak tornadoes.[2][3][4][63]
August 8–9, 2024 – The extratropical remnants of Hurricane Debby moved through the state. Three EF1 tornadoes touched down as a result of the storm, causing minor damage.[69][70]
September 27, 2024 – Former Hurricane Helene passed to the southwest of Virginia as a tropical storm, producing major flooding and wind damage in the state. Rainfall reached up to 12.2 in (310 mm) in the Grayson Highlands, and in the New River Valley, high water levels of up to 19.5 ft (5.9 m) were observed in Damascus. In total, two deaths were reported.[71][72][73]
Climatological statistics
Number of recorded storms affecting Virginia, by month of year
Month
Number of storms
January
0
February
0
March
0
April
0
May
3
June
9
July
12
August
24
September
52
October
22
November
0
December
0
Number of recorded storms affecting Virginia by decade
Period
Number of storms
1851–1859
3
1860s
2
1870s
7
1880s
10
1890s
7
1900s
7
1910s
2
1920s
7
1930s
9
1940s
7
1950s
7
1960s
7
1970s
6
1980s
6
1990s
7
2000s
13
2010s
6
2020s
9
Deadly storms
The following is a list of all known tropical cyclone-related deaths in Virginia.
^"Virginia Impacts from Hurricane Hazel". National Weather Service Office Wilmington, North Carolina. Wilmington, North Carolina: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. October 15, 2014. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
^Cox, Claire (July 31, 1960). "Brenda Storm Lashes Coast". The Nashville Tennessean. Vol. 55, no. 94. Nashville, Tennessee. Associated Press. p. 2-A. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
^Lawrence, Miles B. (November 15, 1989). Hurricane Hugo(PDF) (Preliminary Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 11, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2020 – via National Weather Service.
^Pasch, Richard J (August 21, 1997). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Danny(PDF) (Report). United States National Hurricane Center. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
^Jack L. Beven (January 11, 2000). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Dennis(PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
^Richard J. Pasch; Todd B. Kimberlain; Stacy R. Stewart (November 18, 1999). "Preliminary Report: Hurricane Floyd"(PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
^Richard J. Pasch; Daniel P. Brown; Eric S. Blake (September 15, 2011) [Original date: October 18, 2004]. "Hurricane Charley Tropical Cyclone Report"(PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
^Stacy Stewart and Robbie Berg (May 30, 2019). Hurricane Florence (AL062018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
^Beven, John; Berg, Robbie; Hagen, Andrew (May 17, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Michael(PDF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on July 29, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
^Andrew B. Hagen; Eric Blake; Robbie Berg (February 28, 2020). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Nestor(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
^Berg, Robbie (November 19, 2021). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Fred(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
^Beven, John L.; Hagen, Andrew; Berg, Robbie (April 4, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ida(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
^"Virginia Impacts from Hurricane Hazel". National Weather Service Office Wilmington, North Carolina. Wilmington, North Carolina: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. October 15, 2014. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
^Beven, John; Berg, Robbie; Hagen, Andrew (May 17, 2019). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Michael(PDF) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on July 29, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
^Stacy Stewart and Robbie Berg (May 30, 2019). Hurricane Florence (AL062018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
