Tennessee Summary

From 1980–2024 (as of June 10, 2024), there have been 112 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect Tennessee. These events included 15 drought events, 4 flooding events, 3 freeze events, 66 severe storm events, 8 tropical cyclone events, 1 wildfire event, and 15 winter storm events. The 1980–2023 annual average is 2.5 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2019–2023) is 6.8 events (CPI-adjusted).

Billion-dollar events to affect Tennessee from 1980 to 2024* (CPI-AUnadjusted)
Disaster TypeEventsEvents/​YearPercent FrequencyTotal CostsPercent of Total Costs
Drought150.313.4%$5.0B-$10.0B18.2%
Flooding40.13.6%$2.0B-$5.0B9.8%
Freeze30.12.7%$100M-$250M0.5%
Severe Storm661.558.9%$20.0B-$50.0B57.0%
Tropical Cyclone80.27.1%$1.0B-$2.0B3.3%
Wildfire10.00.9%$1.0B-$2.0B4.5%
Winter Storm150.313.4%$2.0B-$5.0B6.8%
All Disasters1122.5100.0%$20.0B-$50.0B100.0%
Drought150.314.7%$2.0B-$5.0B12.2%
Flooding40.13.9%$2.0B-$5.0B10.1%
Freeze30.12.9%$5M-$100M0.3%
Severe Storm601.358.8%$10.0B-$20.0B62.1%
Tropical Cyclone80.27.8%$500M-$1.0B3.5%
Wildfire10.01.0%$1.0B-$2.0B5.1%
Winter Storm110.210.8%$1.0B-$2.0B6.7%
All Disasters1022.3100.0%$20.0B-$50.0B100.0%
Select Time Period Comparisons of Tennessee Billion-Dollar Drought, Flooding, Freeze, Severe Storm, Tropical Cyclone, Wildfire, and Winter Storm Statistics (CPI-AUnadjusted)
Time PeriodBillion-Dollar DisastersEvents/YearCostPercent of Total Cost
1980s (1980-1989)90.9$2.0B-$5.0B10.9%
1990s (1990-1999)141.4$2.0B-$5.0B5.6%
2000s (2000-2009)212.1$5.0B-$10.0B19.1%
2010s (2010-2019)333.3$10.0B-$20.0B37.9%
Last 5 Years (2019-2023)346.8$10.0B-$20.0B25.2%
Last 3 Years (2021-2023)227.3$5.0B-$10.0B13.2%
Last Year (2023)1111.0$2.0B-$5.0B6.0%
All Years (1980-2024)*1122.5$20.0B-$50.0B100.0%
1980s (1980-1989)50.5$1.0B-$2.0B4.8%
1990s (1990-1999)121.2$1.0B-$2.0B4.0%
2000s (2000-2009)181.8$2.0B-$5.0B16.4%
2010s (2010-2019)323.2$10.0B-$20.0B40.3%
Last 5 Years (2019-2023)346.8$5.0B-$10.0B32.5%
Last 3 Years (2021-2023)227.3$2.0B-$5.0B17.9%
Last Year (2023)1111.0$2.0B-$5.0B8.4%
All Years (1980-2024)*1022.3$20.0B-$50.0B100.0%
Billion-Dollar Events to affect Tennessee
Event Type Begin
Date
End
Date
Summary CPI-AUnadjusted
Estimated
Cost
(in Billions)
Deaths
Central, Southern, Southeastern Tornado Outbreak
May 2024
Severe StormMay 6, 2024May 9, 2024An outbreak producing more than 165 tornadoes developed across many central, southern and southeastern states. The states most affected include Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. This multi-day torando outbreak produced at least 61 EF-0, 79 EF-1, 13 EF-2, three EF-3, one EF-4 tornado and dozens of EF-U (unknown/unrated) tornadoes, causing widespread damage to many homes, businesses, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure. The towns of Barnsdall and Bartlesville, Oklahoma were impacted by a violet EF-4 tornado that caused extensive damage.$4.7 CI3
Southern and Eastern Severe Weather
April 2024
Severe StormApril 8, 2024April 11, 2024Southern and eastern severe weather produced tornadoes, hail and high wind, from Texas to Virginia. The event began with severe hail and high wind impacts across central and eastern Texas, followed by more than 20 tornadoes impacting the Gulf Coast counties of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. There were additional high wind and tornado impacts in North Carolina and Virginia.$2.0 CI0
Central, Southern, Northeastern Winter Storm and Cold Wave
January 2024
Winter StormJanuary 14, 2024January 18, 2024A bitterly cold airmass affected numerous central and southern states most including Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Georgia. This long-duration cold wave produced sleet and freezing rain accumulations into the deep south, across much of Mississippi. High winds also pushed wind chills well below zero for many states contributing to dozens of fatalities, many in Tennessee. Damage also occurred to homes, vehicles and businesses from the high winds and frozen precipitation.$1.8 CI41
Southern Tornado Outbreak and East Coast Storm
January 2024
Severe StormJanuary 8, 2024January 10, 2024Southern tornado outbreak and east coast storm impacted more than a dozen states. At least 39 preliminary tornadoes were clustered around the Florida Panhandle through the Carolinas while hundreds of high wind reports were scattered up the East Coast reflecting damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and other infrastructure. The strongest tornado was an EF-3 that caused significant damage around Panama City Beach, Florida, after an intense waterspout moved onshore.$2.8 CI3
Northeastern and Eastern Severe Weather
August 2023
Severe StormAugust 5, 2023August 8, 2023More than one thousand reports of high wind, severe hail or tornadoes across many Northeastern and Eastern states. August 7 was a prolific day of severe weather with damage reports from Georgia to New York. These storms caused impacts to many homes, vehicles, businesses, agriculture and other infrastructure.$1.7 CI4
North Central and Southeastern Severe Weather
July 2023
Severe StormJuly 19, 2023July 21, 2023Severe storms caused damage across several North Central and Southeastern states. The states most impacted were Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee and Georgia. Ping pong to golf ball-sized hail and high winds damaged many homes, vehicles, businesses and other infrastructure.$1.9 CI1
Central Severe Weather
June 2023
Severe StormJune 28, 2023July 2, 2023Severe storms caused damage across numerous Central states. The state most impacted were Missouri, Illinois and Indiana while there were also damage in many surrounding states. The damage to many homes, vehicles, businesses and agriculture assets was largely from high wind and damaging hail but there were also scattered tornado impacts.$2.0 CI3
Rockies Hail Storms and Central and Eastern Severe Weather
June 2023
Severe StormJune 21, 2023June 26, 2023Severe hail storms across Colorado damaged many homes, vehicles and injured approximately 100 people at a large outdoor concert. This multi-day outbreak of severe weather also produced more than 60 tornadoes across portions of Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Indiana, Kentucky and Arkansas that caused damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure.$5.4 CI8
Southern Severe Weather
June 2023
Severe StormJune 11, 2023June 14, 2023Numerous southern states including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, South Carolina and Florida were impacted by hail, tornadoes and high winds. These storms caused damage to many homes, vehicles and businesses across several days of severe storm activity.$4.2 CI0
Central Severe Weather
May 2023
Severe StormMay 6, 2023May 8, 2023Severe weather across numerous central states including Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. There was additional damage in Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and Texas. Large hail, high winds and torandoes caused widespread impact to many homes, businesses, vehicles, farms and other infrastructure.$2.2 CI1
Central and Eastern Severe Weather
April 2023
Severe StormApril 4, 2023April 6, 2023Severe storms produced large hail, high winds and more than 35 tornadoes across many central and southern states. The states most affected were Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Michigan where there was considerable damage to homes, businesses, agriculture, vehicles and other infrastructure.$2.9 CI5
Central Tornado Outbreak and Eastern Severe Weather
March 2023
Severe StormMarch 31, 2023April 1, 2023A historic tornado outbreak across numerous central states caused widespread damage from at least 145 tornadoes. States most impacted were Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Tennessee and Pennsylvania where there was severe damage to homes, businesses, vehicles, agriculture and other infrastructure.$5.9 CI33
Southern and Eastern Severe Weather
April 2023
Severe StormMarch 24, 2023March 26, 2023Southern and eastern severe storms including more than 40 tornadoes caused damage across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee to many homes, businesses, vehicles and other infrastructure. Additional high wind damage occurred in parts of Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.$2.9 CI23
Southern and Eastern Severe Weather
March 2023
Severe StormMarch 2, 2023March 3, 2023Severe storms impact numerous southern and eastern states including Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Impacts from high wind and tornadoes cause widespread damage to homes, vehicles, businesses, government buildings and infrastructure.$6.1 CI13
Southern Severe Weather
April 2022
Severe StormApril 11, 2022April 13, 2022Severe weather including hundreds of damaging wind reports and dozens of tornadoes occurred across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee and Kentucky. On April 11, tornadoes and damaging hail was focused across central Arkansas causing damage to homes, vehicles, outbuildings and farms and vegetation. April 12 and 13 produced widespread high wind reports and dozens of tornadoes across central Mississippi, northeast Arkansas and west-central Kentucky. These tornadoes produced damage to homes, businesses, farms, outbuildings and other infrastructure. There was also considerable hail damage across Wisconsin and Minnesota.$2.9 CI1
Southern Tornado Outbreak
March 2022
Severe StormMarch 30, 2022March 30, 2022An outbreak of 83 tornadoes was focused across the Gulf Coast states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.$1.4 CI2
Southeast, Central Tornado Outbreak
December 2021
Severe StormDecember 10, 2021December 10, 2021Historic December tornado outbreak across several southeast and central states caused devastating damage across many towns and cities. This outbreak produced two long-tracked EF-4 tornadoes across Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky. The longest tornado track was nearly 166 miles across Kentucky and a small portion of Tennessee. This was the longest-tracked tornado on record in Kentucky and was a U.S. record tornado track length for the month of December. There were over 800 total miles of tornado path length on December 10. The peak intensity from this outbreak was EF-4 rated wind speeds of 190 mph in Mayfield, Kentucky. This day was also the deadliest December tornado outbreak recorded in the United States surpassing the Vicksburg, Mississippi tornado of December 5, 1953, which caused 38 fatalities.$4.4 CI93
Hurricane Ida
August 2021
Tropical CycloneAugust 29, 2021September 1, 2021Category 4 Hurricane Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 930 mb. Ida was one of three hurricanes in recorded history to make landfall in Louisiana with 150 mph winds, along with Hurricane Laura in 2020 and the 'Last Island' hurricane of 1856. Grand Isle, Louisiana took a direct hit with 100% of its homes damaged and nearly 40% were nearly-to-completely destroyed. There was heavy damage to the energy infrastructure across southern Louisiana causing widespread, long duration power outages to millions of people. Parts of New Orleans were without power for nearly a week due to the widespread damage. As the remnants of Ida moved into the Northeast it merged with a frontal system creating severe weather and flash flooding across a wide region from eastern Pennsylvania to New York. Flash flood emergencies were declared in New Jersey and New York for the first time, producing damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and infrastructure while also causing dozens of fatalities.$84.6 CI96
Tropical Storm Fred
August 2021
Tropical CycloneAugust 16, 2021August 18, 2021Tropical Storm Fred made landfall near Panama City, Florida. As Fred progressed northward it caused torrential flooding across the southern Appalachian Mountains with more than a foot of rainfall reported in some locations of western North Carolina. This flash flooding caused damage to many homes, businesses, vehicles, roads and bridges, in additional to several fatalities. Fred also produced nearly a dozen tornadoes across the Northeast as it moved up the East Coast.$1.5 CI7
Southern Tornadoes and Southeast Severe Weather
May 2021
Severe StormMay 2, 2021May 4, 2021Tornadoes and severe storms with widespread high wind and large hail cause damage across many Southern and Southeastern states including Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. There were over 111 confirmed tornadoes largely clustered in central Mississippi and surrounding states.$1.5 CI4
Eastern Severe Weather
March 2021
Severe StormMarch 27, 2021March 28, 2021Severe weather producing hail, high wind and more than two dozen tornadoes impacted numerous states including Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Tennessee was also affected with significant flooding in Nashville and surrounding areas that damaged businesses, homes and vehicles. There were also many high wind damage reports across Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey.$1.6 CI8
Southeast Tornadoes and Severe Weather
March 2021
Severe StormMarch 24, 2021March 25, 2021At least 41 tornadoes impact several states including Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. These included one EF-4, four EF-3s, ten EF-2s and approximately two-dozen EF-1 or EF-0 tornadoes. The strongest of these tornadoes were focused across central Alabama and western Georgia with tracks across the entire width of Alabama. There was widespread damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and infrastructure.$2.0 CI6
Hurricane Laura
August 2020
Tropical CycloneAugust 27, 2020August 28, 2020Hurricane Laura was a powerful category 4 that made landfall at Cameron Parish, in southwestern Louisiana on August 27. Winds up to 150 mph and storm surge in excess of 15 feet caused heavy damage along the coast and inland to the city of Lake Charles. Many broken water systems and a severely damaged electrical grid in southern Louisiana will slow the recovery process. Laura was the strongest hurricane (by maximum sustained windspeed at landfall) to hit Louisiana since the 1856 Last Island hurricane. Laura also had highest landfall wind speed to impact the U.S. since Hurricane Michael in 2018. There were additional impacts to surrounding states including Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas.$28.1 CI42
South, Central and Eastern Severe Weather
May 2020
Severe StormMay 20, 2020May 23, 2020A combination of thunderstorm high winds, hail and tornadoes affected numerous Southern, Central and Eastern states. The states most affected included Texas, Illinois and North Carolina with damage to homes, businesses and vehicles. Oklahoma, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina.$1.9 CI2
Central and Eastern Severe Weather
May 2020
Severe StormMay 3, 2020May 5, 2020Severe weather across several Central and Eastern states including Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee and South Carolina. High wind and hail damage was notably clustered across southern Missouri and western to central Tennessee, which were the states with the highest damage totals for the event.$2.6 CI2
Southeast and Eastern Tornado Outbreak
April 2020
Severe StormApril 12, 2020April 13, 2020Outbreak of at least 140 tornadoes from Texas to Maryland including 3 EF4s, 12 EF3s, 20 EF2s, 77 EF1s and 28 EF0s. Damage was extensive and highly destructive to many homes, vehicles and businesses across more than a dozen Southeast and Eastern states.$4.2 CI35
North Central and Ohio Valley Hail Storms and Severe Weather
April 2020
Severe StormApril 7, 2020April 8, 2020Numerous hail storms caused widespread damage across many North Central and Ohio Valley states including Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri. More than 20 tornadoes were also reorted across southern Indiana and Ohio. There was additional widespread high wind damage to homes, vehicles and businesses in many other surrounding states.$3.5 CI0
Midwest and Ohio Valley Severe Weather
March 2020
Severe StormMarch 27, 2020March 28, 2020Severe weather caused damage across many Midwest and Ohio Valley states including Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The states most affected from a combination of high winds and hail were Missouri, Ohio and Arkansas. There were also two dozen tornadoes across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Arkansas causing additional damage.$3.1 CI0
Tennessee Tornadoes and Southeast Severe Weather
March 2020
Severe StormMarch 2, 2020March 4, 2020Powerful EF-3 and EF-4 tornadoes cause considerable damage across the Nashville metroplex and several counties east of Nashville. This damage included many homes, businesses, vehicles, 90 planes and numerous buildings at the Nashville airport. There was also additional hail and wind damage in the surrounding states including Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Missouri.$2.8 CI25
South, East and Northeast Severe Weather
February 2020
Severe StormFebruary 5, 2020February 7, 2020Severe weather across many South, East and Northeastern states including AL, FL, GA, SC, LA, MS, TN, NC, VA, PA, RI, NY, NJ, MD and MA. There were more than 20 tornadoes clustered across central Mississippi into Tennessee. There were also hundreds of high wind damage reports from Florida to New Jersey, with the Carolinas and Florida receiving the most costly damage.$1.5 CI3
Southeast Tornadoes and Northern Storms and Flooding
January 2020
Severe StormJanuary 10, 2020January 12, 2020More than 80 tornadoes and severe storms caused damage across many southeastern states (AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI). Storms and severe flooding also impacted northern states including Michigan, Wisconsin and New York. Significant damage occurred along the shoreline of Lake Michigan to roads, the foundation of homes and to Port Milwaukee. These powerful waves were generated by high winds and a lack of seasonal ice cover.$1.4 CI10
Texas Tornadoes and Central Severe Weather
October 2019
Severe StormOctober 20, 2019October 20, 2019Numerous tornadoes caused widespread damage across northern Dallas damaging thousands of homes, vehicles, businesses and other public infrastructure. Tornadoes up to EF-3 intensity with maximum winds of 140 mph tracked across a large section of highly developed northern Dallas. Additionally high winds and hail damage also caused damage in other states including Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee.$2.1 CI2
Mississippi River, Midwest and Southern Flooding
July 2019
FloodingMarch 15, 2019July 31, 2019Additional major flooding impacted many Southern Plains states significantly affecting agriculture, roads, bridges, levees, dams and other assets across many cities and towns. The states most affected were Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Very high water levels also disrupted barge traffic along the Mississippi River, which negatively impacted a variety of dependent industries. Indiana and Ohio were also affected by persistent heavy rainfall that flooded farmland, which prevented and reduced crop planting by millions of acres.$7.6 CI4
Southeast, Ohio Valley and Northeast Severe Weather
February 2019
Severe StormFebruary 23, 2019February 25, 2019Tornadoes, severe weather and flooding in the south (MS, AL, TN) and high-wind damage across many Ohio Valley (IL, IN, OH) and Northeastern states (CT, MD, MA, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV). This storm system produced heavy rain that caused major flooding along parts of the Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee rivers.$1.5 CI2
Central and Eastern Tornadoes and Severe Weather
July 2018
Severe StormJuly 19, 2018July 22, 2018At least 41 tornadoes and high wind damage from thunderstorms impact numerous Central and Eastern states (MO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, AL, AR, GA, TN, NC, SC, VA, MD, PA) over a multi-day event. The tornado damage was most severe across Iowa.$2.0 CI0
Central and Eastern Winter Storm
January 2018
Winter StormJanuary 3, 2018January 5, 2018A Nor'easter caused damage across many Northeastern states including MA, NJ, NY, CT, ME, NH, PA, MD, RI, SC, TN, VA, NC and GA.$1.3 CI22
Hurricane Harvey
August 2017
Tropical CycloneAugust 25, 2017August 31, 2017Category 4 hurricane made landfall near Rockport, Texas causing widespread damage. Harvey's devastation was most pronounced due to the large region of extreme rainfall producing historic flooding across Houston and surrounding areas. More than 30 inches of rainfall fell on 6.9 million people, while 1.25 million experienced over 45 inches and 11,000 had over 50 inches, based on 7-day rainfall totals ending August 31. This historic U.S. rainfall caused massive flooding that displaced over 30,000 people and damaged or destroyed over 200,000 homes and businesses.$158.8 CI89
Missouri and Arkansas Flooding and Central Severe Weather
May 2017
FloodingApril 25, 2017May 7, 2017A period of heavy rainfall up to 15 inches over a multi-state region in the Midwest caused historic levels of flooding along many rivers. The flooding was most severe in Missouri, Arkansas and southern Illinois where levees were breached and towns were flooded. There was widespread damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure and agriculture. Severe storms also caused additional impacts during the flooding event across a number of central and southern states.$2.1 CI20
South and Southeast Severe Weather
April 2017
Severe StormApril 20, 2017April 22, 2017Severe weather including hail, high winds and several tornadoes impacted Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. These conditions caused damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and other infrastructure.$1.1* CI0
Southeast Severe Weather and Tornadoes
April 2017
Severe StormApril 4, 2017April 6, 2017Severe weather and tornadoes impact numerous southern and eastern states. The states most impacted include Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky.$1.2 CI1
South/Southeast Severe Weather
March 2017
Severe StormMarch 26, 2017March 28, 2017Large hail and high winds in Texas north of the Dallas metro region caused widespread damage to structures and vehicles. Severe storms also caused damage across several other states (OK, TN, KY, MS, AL) due to the combination of high winds, hail and tornadoes.$3.5 CI0
Southeast Freeze
March 2017
FreezeMarch 14, 2017March 16, 2017Severe freeze heavily damaged fruit crops across several southeastern states (SC, GA, NC, TN, AL, MS, FL, KY, VA). Mid-March freezes are not climatologically unusual in the Southeast, however many crops were blooming 3+ weeks early due to unusually warm temperatures during the preceding weeks. Damage was most severe in Georgia and South Carolina. Crops most impacted include peaches, blueberries, strawberries and apples, among others.$1.3 CI0
Central/Southeast Tornado Outbreak
March 2017
Severe StormFebruary 28, 2017March 1, 2017Over 70 tornadoes developed during a widespread outbreak across many central and southern states causing significant damage. There was also widespread straight-line wind and hail damage. This was the second largest tornado outbreak to occur early in 2017.$2.3 CI6
Plains Tornadoes and Central Severe Weather
May 2016
Severe StormMay 8, 2016May 11, 2016Tornadoes and severe storms cause widespread damage across the Plains and Central states (NE, MO, TX, OK, KS, CO, IL, KY, TN) over a multi-day period. The damage from tornadoes and high wind was most costly in Nebraska and Missouri.$2.3 CI2
Texas Tornadoes and Midwest Flooding
December 2015
Severe StormDecember 26, 2015December 29, 2015A powerful storm system packing unseasonably strong tornadoes caused widespread destruction in the Dallas metropolitan region, damaging well over 1,000 homes and businesses. This same potent system also produced intense rainfall over several Midwestern states triggering historic flooding that has approached or broken records at river gauges in several states (MO, IL, AR, TN, MS, LA). The flooding has overtopped levees and caused damage in numerous areas. This historic storm also produced high wind, snow and ice impacts from New Mexico through the Midwest and into New England. Overall, the storm caused at least 50 deaths from the combined impact of tornadoes, flooding and winter weather.$2.6 CI50
South/Southeast Severe Weather
April 2015
Severe StormApril 18, 2015April 20, 2015Severe storms across the South and Southeastern states (AL, AR, FL, GA, KS, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX). High winds and severe hail created the most significant damage in Texas.$1.7 CI0
Midwest/Ohio Valley Severe Weather
April 2015
Severe StormApril 7, 2015April 9, 2015Severe storms across the Midwest and Ohio Valley including the states (AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, WI, WV). Large hail and high winds created the most damage across Missouri and Illinois.$2.1 CI2
Central and Eastern Winter storm, Cold Wave
February 2015
Winter StormFebruary 14, 2015February 20, 2015A large winter storm and associated cold wave impacted many central, eastern and northeastern states (CT, DE, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA). The city of Boston was particularly impacted as feet of snow continued to accumulate causing load-stress on buildings and clogging transportation corridors. Total, direct losses in Massachusetts alone exceed $1.0 ($1.3) billion for this event, with considerable damage in many other states.$4.0 CI30
Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Tornadoes and Flooding
April 2014
Severe StormApril 27, 2014May 1, 2014Tornado outbreak across the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast states (AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KS, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA) with 83 confirmed tornadoes. Mississippi had its 3rd greatest number of tornadoes reported for any day since 1950. Torrential rainfall in the Florida panhandle also caused major flooding, as Pensacola set new 1-day and 2-day precipitation records of 15.55 and 20.47 inches, respectively. Flooding rains were also reported in coastal Alabama, as Mobile received 11.24 inches of rain, the third greatest calendar day rainfall total for the city.$2.3 CI33
Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Winter Storm
January 2014
Winter StormJanuary 5, 2014January 8, 2014Winter storm caused widespread damage across numerous Midwest, Southeast and Northeastern states (AL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA).$2.9 CI16
Southeast Severe Weather
March 2013
Severe StormMarch 18, 2013March 18, 2013Severe weather over the Southeast (MS, AL, GA, TN) with 10 confirmed tornadoes. Considerable damage resulting from large hail and straight-line wind.$2.7 CI1
U.S. Drought/Heat Wave
2012
DroughtJanuary 1, 2012December 31, 2012The 2012 drought is the most extensive drought to affect the U.S. since the 1930s. Moderate to extreme drought conditions affected more than half the country for a majority of 2012. The following states were affected: CA, NV, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, TX, ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, AR, MO, IA, MN, IL, IN, GA. Costly drought impacts occurred across the central agriculture states resulting in widespread harvest failure for corn, sorghum and soybean crops, among others. The associated summer heat wave also caused 123 direct deaths, but an estimate of the excess mortality due to heat stress is still unknown.$41.4 CI123
Southeast/Ohio Valley Tornadoes
March 2012
Severe StormMarch 2, 2012March 3, 2012Outbreak of tornadoes and severe weather over the southeast and Ohio Valley (AL, GA, IN, OH, KY, TN) with 75 confirmed tornadoes.$4.3 CI42
Tropical Storm Lee
September 2011
Tropical CycloneSeptember 1, 2011September 5, 2011Wind and flood damage across the southeast (LA, MS, AL, GA, TN) but considerably more damage from record flooding across the northeast (PA, NY, NJ, CT, VA, MD). Pennsylvania and New York were most affected.$3.5 CI21
Southern Plains/Southwest Drought and Heat Wave
Spring-Summer 2011
DroughtMarch 1, 2011August 31, 2011Drought and heat wave conditions created major impacts across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, southern Kansas, and western Louisiana. In Texas and Oklahoma, a majority of range and pastures were classified in "very poor" condition for much of the 2011 crop growing season.$17.0 CI95
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes and Severe Weather
June 2011
Severe StormJune 18, 2011June 22, 2011Outbreak of tornadoes over central states (OK, TX, KS, NE, MO, IA, IL) with an estimated 81 tornadoes. Additional wind and hail damage across the Southeast (TN, GA, NC, SC).$2.1 CI3
Mississippi River flooding
April-May 2011
FloodingApril 1, 2011May 31, 2011Persistent rainfall (nearly 300 percent normal precipitation amounts in the Ohio Valley) combined with melting snowpack caused historical flooding along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Examples of economic damage include: $500 ($710.0) million to agriculture in Arkansas; $320 ($454.4) million in damage to Memphis, Tennessee; $800 million ($1.1 billion) to agriculture in Mississippi; $317 ($450.1) million to agriculture and property in Missouri's Birds Point-New Madrid Spillway; $80 ($113.6) million for the first 30 days of flood fighting efforts in Louisiana.$4.2 CI7
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes
May 2011
Severe StormMay 22, 2011May 27, 2011Outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern states (MO, TX, OK, KS, AR, GA, TN, VA, KY, IN, IL, OH, WI, MN, PA) with an estimated 180 tornadoes. Notably, an EF-5 tornado struck Joplin, MO resulting in at least 160 deaths, making it the deadliest single tornado to strike the U.S. since modern tornado record keeping began in 1950.$12.6 CI177
Southeast/Ohio Valley/Midwest Tornadoes
April 2011
Severe StormApril 25, 2011April 28, 2011Outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern states (AL, AR, LA, MS, GA, TN, VA, KY, IL, MO, OH, TX, OK) with an estimated 343 tornadoes. The deadliest tornado of the outbreak, an EF-5, hit northern Alabama, killing 78 people. Several major metropolitan areas were directly impacted by strong tornadoes including Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Huntsville in Alabama and Chattanooga, Tennessee, causing the estimated damage costs to soar.$14.2 CI321
Ohio Valley Derecho and Southern Tornadoes
April 2011
Severe StormApril 19, 2011April 20, 2011Dozens of tornadoes and a derecho affect numerous states (AR, IL, IN, KY, MO, OH, TN, TX) across the Ohio Valley and South.$1.4 CI0
Southeast/Midwest Tornadoes
April 2011
Severe StormApril 8, 2011April 11, 2011Outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern states (NC, SC, TN, AL, TX, OK, KS, IA, WI) with an estimated 59 tornadoes.$3.0 CI0
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes and Derecho
April 2011
Severe StormApril 4, 2011April 5, 2011Outbreak of tornadoes and derecho over central and southern states (KS, MO, IA, IL, WI, KY, GA, TN, NC, SC) with an estimated 46 tornadoes.$3.9 CI9
East/South Flooding and Severe Weather
May 2010
FloodingApril 30, 2010May 2, 2010Flooding, hail, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms occurred across many Southern states (TN, AR, KY, GA) on April 30-May 2. Flooding in the Nashville, TN area alone contributed > $1.0 ($1.5) billion in damages. Western and Middle Tennessee were hardest hit with local rainfall amounts of 18-20 inches to the south and west of Greater Nashville.$3.3 CI32
Midwest, South and East Severe Weather
June 2009
Severe StormJune 9, 2009June 12, 2009Sustained outbreak of thunderstorms and high winds from a strong derecho event over the central, southern, and eastern states (TX, OK, MO, NE, KS, AR, AL, MS, TN, NC, SC, KY, PA).$1.9 CI0
Central Derecho and Tornadoes
May 2009
Severe StormMay 7, 2009May 9, 2009More than 50 tornadoes and large hail from severe storms caused damage across many southeastern states (IL, KS, KY, MO, TN, TX).$1.3* CI7
South/Southeast Severe Weather and Tornadoes
April 2009
Severe StormApril 9, 2009April 10, 2009Outbreak of tornadoes, hail and severe thunderstorms over the south and southeastern states (AL, AR, GA, KY, MO, SC, TN) with 85 confirmed tornadoes.$2.1 CI6
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes
March 2009
Severe StormMarch 25, 2009March 28, 2009Outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern states (NE, KS, OK, IA, TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, TN, KY) with 56 tornadoes confirmed.$2.4 CI0
Southeast/Ohio Valley Severe Weather
February 2009
Severe StormFebruary 10, 2009February 11, 2009Complex of severe thunderstorms and high winds across the region (TN, KY, OK, OH, VA, WV, PA).$2.6 CI10
Southeast Tornadoes and Severe Weather
February 2008
Severe StormFebruary 5, 2008February 6, 2008Series of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms across the Southeast and Midwest states (AL, AR, IN, KY, MS, OH, TN, TX) with 87 tornadoes confirmed.$1.8 CI57
Western/Eastern Drought/Heat Wave
Summer-Fall 2007
DroughtJune 1, 2007November 30, 2007Severe drought with periods of extreme heat over most of the southeast and portions of the Great Plains, Ohio Valley, and Great Lakes area, resulting in major reductions in crop yields, along with very low stream-flows and lake levels. Includes states of ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, TX, MN, WI, IA, MO, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, NC, SC, FL, TN, VA, WV, KY, IN, IL, OH, MI, PA, NY.$5.5 CI15
Spring Freeze
April 2007
FreezeApril 4, 2007April 10, 2007Widespread severe freeze over much of the east and midwest (AL, AR, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, MS, NC, NE, OH, OK, SC, TN, VA, WV), causing significant losses in fruit crops, field crops (especially wheat), and the ornamental industry. Temperatures in the teens/20s accompanied by rather high winds nullified typical crop-protection systems.$3.2 CI0
Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes
April 6-8, 2006
Severe StormApril 6, 2006April 8, 2006Severe weather and numerous tornadoes affecting the states of OK, KS, MO, NE, KY, OH, TN, IN, MS, GA, and AL on April 6-8 with 3 "killer" tornadoes in TN.$2.5 CI10
Severe Storms and Tornadoes
March 2006
Severe StormMarch 8, 2006March 13, 2006Outbreak of tornadoes over portions of the midwest and south during a week-long period-affecting the states of AL, AR, KY, MS, TN, TX, IN, KS, MO, and OK.$2.1 CI10
Hurricane Katrina
August 2005
Tropical CycloneAugust 25, 2005August 30, 2005Category 3 hurricane initially impacts the U.S. as a Category 1 near Miami, FL, then as a strong Category 3 along the eastern LA-western MS coastlines, resulting in severe storm surge damage (maximum surge probably exceeded 30 feet) along the LA-MS-AL coasts, wind damage, and the failure of parts of the levee system in New Orleans. Inland effects included high winds and some flooding in the states of AL, MS, FL, TN, KY, IN, OH, and GA.$200.0 CI1,833
Hurricane Ivan
September 2004
Tropical CycloneSeptember 12, 2004September 21, 2004Category 3 hurricane makes landfall on Gulf coast of Alabama, with significant wind, storm surge, and flooding damage in coastal AL and FL panhandle, along with wind/flood damage in the states of GA, MS, LA, SC, NC, VA, WV, MD, TN, KY, OH, DE, NJ, PA, and NY.$33.8 CI57
Southern Derecho and Eastern Severe Weather
July 2003
Severe StormJuly 21, 2003July 23, 2003Derecho across several southern states with the most focused damage across the Memphis, Tennessee metro area. Severe storms impact states across the South, Southeast, Midwest and Northeast regions including AR, AL, MS, GA, FL, SC, TN, KY, MI, NY, OH, PA and VT.$1.7 CI7
Severe Storms/Tornadoes
May 2003
Severe StormMay 3, 2003May 10, 2003Numerous tornadoes over the midwest, Mississippi valley, OH/TN valleys, and portions of the southeast, with a modern record one-week total of approximately 400 tornadoes reported$7.1 CI51
Severe Storms/Hail
April 2003
Severe StormApril 4, 2003April 7, 2003Severe storms and large hail over the southern plains and lower MS valley, with Texas hardest hit, and much of the monetary losses due to hail.$3.4 CI3
U.S. Drought
Spring-Fall 2002
DroughtMarch 1, 2002November 30, 2002Moderate to extreme drought over large portions of more than 30 states, including the western states, the Great Plains, and much of the eastern U.S.$15.9 CI0
Eastern Tornadoes and Severe Storms
November 2002
Severe StormNovember 9, 2002November 11, 2002Tornado outbreak of over 100 tornadoes across many eastern states causes widespread damage (AL, MS, GA, TN, KY, OH, PA). Tennessee and Ohio had the highest count of tornadoes.$1.2* CI28
Severe Storms and Tornadoes
April 2002
Severe StormApril 27, 2002April 28, 2002Numerous tornadoes and widespread hail damage over the Central and Eastern states including NC, GA, VA, TX, AR, MO, MS, TN, IL, IN, KY, PA, MD, NY, OH, WV, and KS.$3.6 CI7
Western/Central/Southeast Drought/Heat Wave
Spring-Fall 2000
DroughtMarch 1, 2000November 30, 2000Western/Central/Southeast Drought/Heat Wave. The states impacted include AZ, AL, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, KS, LA, MS, MT, NE, NM, OK, OR, SC, TN, and TX.$9.3 CI140
Southeast Winter Storm
January 2000
Winter StormJanuary 21, 2000January 24, 2000Strong winter storm causes disruption and damage over numerous southeastern states (AL, GA, NC, SC, TN, LA, VA). Record amounts of snowfall occured across central North Carolina, with snow totals in excess of 20 inches.$1.3* CI4
Eastern Drought/Heat Wave
Summer 1999
DroughtJune 1, 1999August 31, 1999Very dry summer and high temperatures, mainly in eastern U.S., with extensive agricultural losses. The states impacted include AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, SC, TN, VA, WV and PA.$4.8 CI502
Oklahoma and Kansas Tornadoes
May 1999
Severe StormMay 3, 1999May 6, 1999Outbreak of F4-F5 tornadoes hit the states of Oklahoma and Kansas, along with Texas and Tennessee, Oklahoma City area hardest hit.$3.8 CI55
Central and Eastern Winter Storm
January 1999
Winter StormJanuary 1, 1999January 4, 1999South, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast affected by damaging winter storm$2.0 CI25
Southern Drought and Heat Wave
Summer 1998
DroughtJune 1, 1998August 31, 1998Severe drought and heat wave from Texas/Oklahoma eastward to the Carolinas. The states impacted include AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, and VA.$6.8 CI200
Northern Plains and Great Lakes Derecho, Tornadoes
June 1998
Severe StormMay 30, 1998June 2, 1998Severe storms in late May through early June hit the Midwest, North, Northeast, and Southeast$2.2 CI20
Mississippi and Ohio Valley Severe Weather and Flooding
March 1997
Severe StormFebruary 28, 1997March 5, 1997Tornadoes and severe flooding hit the states of AR, MO, MS, TN, IL, IN, KY, OH, and WV, with over 10 inches of rain in 24 hours in Louisville.$1.9 CI67
Blizzard/Floods
January 1996
Winter StormJanuary 1, 1996January 31, 1996Very heavy snowstorm (1-4 feet) over Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast; followed by severe flooding in parts of same area due to rain and snowmelt.$6.1 CI187
Hurricane Opal
October 1995
Tropical CycloneOctober 4, 1995October 6, 1995Category 3 hurricane strikes Florida panhandle, Alabama, western Georgia, eastern Tennessee, and the western Carolinas, causing storm surge, wind, and flooding damage.$9.6 CI27
Southeast Ice Storm
February 1994
Winter StormFebruary 8, 1994February 13, 1994Intense ice storm with extensive damage in portions of TX, OK, AR, LA, MS, AL, TN, GA, SC, NC, and VA.$6.4 CI9
Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1994
Winter StormJanuary 17, 1994January 20, 1994Winter storm affects the Southeast and Northeast regions. The states impacted include CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT and WV.$2.2 CI70
Southeast Drought and Heat Wave
Summer 1993
DroughtJune 1, 1993August 31, 1993Drought and heat wave across Southeastern U.S. The states most impacted include AL, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, TN, and VA.$2.8 CI16
East Coast Blizzard and Severe Weather
March 1993
Winter StormMarch 11, 1993March 14, 1993The "Storm of the Century" impacts the entire Eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine. This historic storm dumped 2-4 feet of snow and caused hurricane force winds across many Eastern and Northeastern states. This caused power outages to over 10 million households. Additional impacts included numerous tornadoes across Florida causing substantial damage. This was the most destructive and costly winter storm to affect the United States (since 1980), until it was surpassed by the February 2021 winter storm and cold wave.$12.1 CI270
Southeast Severe Weather
November 1992
Severe StormNovember 21, 1992November 23, 1992Three-day tornado outbreak strikes many Central and Eastern states including TX, LA, AL, MS, GA, AR, IN, OH, KY, TN, and NC. Major damage was reported across many areas, as more than 100 tornadoes were reported. This event remains one of the most prolific Fall season tornado outbreaks on record.$1.5* CI26
Severe Storms, Tornadoes
March 1991
Severe StormMarch 26, 1991March 29, 1991Severe storms hit the Midwest, Southeast, Northeast. The states impacted include KS, IL, MI, IN, MS, TN, KY, OH, AL, PA, NY, GA, SC and NC.$1.5* CI0
Winter Storm, Cold Wave
December 1989
Winter StormDecember 21, 1989December 26, 1989Winter storm and deep cold impacts the Northeast, South and Southeast. The states impacted include AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MO, MS, NC, NH, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT and WV.$1.7* CI100
U.S. Drought/Heat Wave
Summer 1988
DroughtJune 1, 1988August 31, 19881988 drought across a large portion of the U.S. with very severe losses to agriculture and related industries. Combined direct and indirect deaths (i.e., excess mortality) due to heat stress estimated at 5,000.$54.2 CI454
Southeast Drought/Heat Wave
Summer 1986
DroughtJune 1, 1986August 31, 1986Severe summer drought in parts of the southeastern U.S. with severe losses to agriculture. The states impacted include AL, AR, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN and VA.$5.2 CI100
Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1985
Winter StormJanuary 19, 1985January 22, 1985Extreme cold and winter storms in the Southeast, South, Southwest, Northeast, Midwest, and North$2.5* CI150
Southeast Drought
Summer 1983
DroughtJune 1, 1983August 31, 19831983 flash drought in the southeastern U.S. with losses to agriculture, most notably corn and soybeans. The states impacted include AL, AR, GA, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, SC, TN and VA.$9.5 CI0
Midwest/Plains/Southeast Tornadoes
April 1982
Severe StormApril 2, 1982April 4, 1982Tornadoes and severe weather affect the states (AL, AR, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NE, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, WI, WV) across the Midwest, Plains and Southeast.$1.6* CI33
Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1982
Winter StormJanuary 8, 1982January 16, 1982Winter storm and cold wave affect numerous states (AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) across the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast.$2.2* CI85
Central/Eastern Drought/Heat Wave
Summer-Fall 1980
DroughtJune 1, 1980November 30, 1980Central and eastern U.S. drought/heat wave caused damage to agriculture and other related industries. Combined direct and indirect deaths (i.e., excess mortality) due to heat stress estimated at 10,000.$40.4 CI1,260

Deaths associated with drought are the result of heat waves. (Not all droughts are accompanied by extreme heat waves.)

Flooding events (river basin or urban flooding from excessive rainfall) are separate from inland flood damage caused by tropical cyclone events.

*Statistics valid as of June 10, 2024

Citing this information: