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NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database

Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Accomac, VA

Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.

Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated

78 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Accomac, Virginia since 1851, 14 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Elsa in 2021. Since 1950, 15 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 0 of them rated EF3 or stronger.

Hurricanes
14

within 75 mi, since 1851

Tropical storms
64

below hurricane strength

Tornadoes
15

within 25 mi, since 1950

EF3 or stronger
0

no recorded deaths

What the records show for Accomac

The strongest storm to pass near Accomac was an unnamed storm in 1944, a Category 3 hurricane with 114 mph winds when its centre passed 65 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1924, whose centre came within 3 miles. The record near Accomac begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Elsa in 2021, a tropical storm 26 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1880s, with 8 systems. Of the 78 systems, 14 have come since 2000. Accomac has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 93% of the 364 Virginia cities on this site. The strongest of the 15 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F2 on October 2, 1973; its path came within 4 miles. Of the 15, 4 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 8 have come since 2000. July has had the most tornadoes, 4. The most recent tornado was on August 4, 2015. Of the 364 Virginia cities, 86% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Accomac. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 12 times since 1996, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 364 Virginia cities, 96% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Accomac.

Compare Accomac's storm record with another city →

Tropical storms and hurricanes near Accomac

Tropical systems that passed within 75 miles of Accomac, Virginia, newest first
YearStormClosestStrength when closestPeak
2021ElsaJul 926 miTropical storm (56 mph)Category 1
2020ZetaOct 2949 miTropical storm (52 mph)Category 3
2020IsaiasAug 456 miTropical storm (68 mph)Category 1
2020FayJul 1053 miTropical storm (58 mph)Tropical storm
2019NestorOct 2032 miTropical storm (46 mph)Tropical storm
2018MichaelOct 1240 miTropical storm (67 mph)Category 5
2013AndreaJun 89 miTropical storm (46 mph)Tropical storm
2011IreneAug 2824 miCategory 1 (75 mph)Category 3
2008HannaSep 648 miTropical storm (52 mph)Category 1
2007BarryJun 468 miTropical storm (46 mph)Tropical storm
2006ErnestoSep 260 miTropical storm (46 mph)Category 1
2004GastonAug 313 miTropical storm (40 mph)Category 1
2004CharleyAug 1522 miTropical storm (45 mph)Category 4
2000HeleneSep 2460 miTropical storm (51 mph)Tropical storm
1999FloydSep 169 miTropical storm (71 mph)Category 4
1997DannyJul 2461 miTropical storm (52 mph)Category 1
1996JosephineOct 870 miTropical storm (52 mph)Tropical storm
1996BerthaJul 1338 miTropical storm (69 mph)Category 3
1992DanielleSep 2510 miTropical storm (63 mph)Tropical storm
1986CharleyAug 1834 miCategory 1 (75 mph)Category 1
1985GloriaSep 2749 miCategory 2 (100 mph)Category 4
1983DeanSep 3016 miTropical storm (46 mph)Tropical storm
1971DoriaAug 283 miTropical storm (69 mph)Tropical storm
1969CamilleAug 2046 miTropical storm (47 mph)Category 5
1967DoriaSep 1635 miTropical storm (69 mph)Category 2
1963Unnamed 1963 stormJun 324 miTropical storm (49 mph)Tropical storm
1961Unnamed 1961 stormSep 141 miTropical storm (55 mph)Tropical storm
1960DonnaSep 1255 miCategory 2 (98 mph)Category 4
1960BrendaJul 3016 miTropical storm (58 mph)Tropical storm
1959CindyJul 1020 miTropical storm (49 mph)Category 1
1956Unnamed 1956 stormOct 1856 miTropical storm (52 mph)Tropical storm
1956FlossySep 2863 miTropical storm (58 mph)Category 1
1955IoneSep 2070 miCategory 1 (77 mph)Category 4
1955ConnieAug 1329 miTropical storm (69 mph)Category 4
1953BarbaraAug 1440 miCategory 1 (91 mph)Category 1
1944Unnamed 1944 stormOct 219 miTropical storm (46 mph)Category 4
1944Unnamed 1944 stormSep 1465 miCategory 3 (114 mph)Category 5
1944Unnamed 1944 stormAug 261 miTropical storm (40 mph)Category 1
1943Unnamed 1943 stormSep 302 miTropical storm (63 mph)Tropical storm
1936Unnamed 1936 stormSep 1863 miCategory 1 (92 mph)Category 3
1935Unnamed 1935 stormSep 629 miTropical storm (72 mph)Category 5
1933Unnamed 1933 stormAug 2360 miCategory 1 (76 mph)Category 4
1928Unnamed 1928 stormAug 1229 miTropical storm (54 mph)Category 2
1925Unnamed 1925 stormDec 370 miTropical storm (66 mph)Category 1
1924Unnamed 1924 stormSep 303 miCategory 1 (75 mph)Category 1
1916Unnamed 1916 stormMay 175 miTropical storm (48 mph)Tropical storm
1907Unnamed 1907 stormJun 3038 miTropical storm (49 mph)Tropical storm
1904Unnamed 1904 stormSep 1531 miTropical storm (70 mph)Category 1
1903Unnamed 1903 stormSep 1659 miCategory 1 (87 mph)Category 2
1902Unnamed 1902 stormOct 1228 miTropical storm (40 mph)Category 2
1902Unnamed 1902 stormJun 1623 miTropical storm (46 mph)Tropical storm
1900Unnamed 1900 stormOct 1356 miTropical storm (40 mph)Tropical storm
1897Unnamed 1897 stormOct 2573 miTropical storm (63 mph)Tropical storm
1897Unnamed 1897 stormSep 2374 miTropical storm (69 mph)Tropical storm
1894Unnamed 1894 stormOct 1019 miCategory 1 (76 mph)Category 3
1894Unnamed 1894 stormSep 2959 miCategory 1 (84 mph)Category 3
1893Unnamed 1893 stormOct 2310 miTropical storm (52 mph)Tropical storm
1893Unnamed 1893 stormJun 1759 miTropical storm (67 mph)Category 1
1889Unnamed 1889 stormSep 258 miTropical storm (46 mph)Category 2
1888Unnamed 1888 stormOct 1258 miTropical storm (55 mph)Category 2
1888Unnamed 1888 stormSep 1145 miTropical storm (40 mph)Tropical storm
1887Unnamed 1887 stormOct 2162 miTropical storm (44 mph)Category 1
1886Unnamed 1886 stormJul 215 miTropical storm (40 mph)Category 2
1882Unnamed 1882 stormSep 234 miTropical storm (46 mph)Tropical storm
1882Unnamed 1882 stormSep 1118 miTropical storm (54 mph)Category 3
1881Unnamed 1881 stormSep 1025 miTropical storm (58 mph)Category 2
1879Unnamed 1879 stormAug 1829 miCategory 2 (102 mph)Category 3
1877Unnamed 1877 stormOct 437 miTropical storm (63 mph)Category 3
1874Unnamed 1874 stormSep 2932 miTropical storm (58 mph)Category 1
1872Unnamed 1872 stormOct 2634 miTropical storm (46 mph)Category 1
1866Unnamed 1866 stormOct 3062 miTropical storm (69 mph)Tropical storm
1863Unnamed 1863 stormSep 1811 miTropical storm (58 mph)Tropical storm
1861Unnamed 1861 stormNov 256 miTropical storm (69 mph)Category 1
1861Unnamed 1861 stormSep 275 miTropical storm (69 mph)Category 1
1859Unnamed 1859 stormSep 1712 miTropical storm (64 mph)Category 1
1856Unnamed 1856 stormAug 208 miTropical storm (58 mph)Tropical storm
1854Unnamed 1854 stormSep 1046 miTropical storm (51 mph)Category 3
1851Unnamed 1851 stormAug 2568 miTropical storm (46 mph)Category 3

Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Accomac: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.

Tornadoes within 25 miles of Accomac

By decade

  • 2010s3
  • 2000s5
  • 1990s1
  • 1980s1
  • 1970s3
  • 1960s2
Strongest tornadoes near Accomac, Virginia
DateRatingDistancePathKilled / injured
Oct 2, 1973F24 mi0.1 mi0 / 0
May 13, 2002F118 mi1 mi0 / 0
Nov 11, 1995F15 mi2 mi0 / 0
Sep 8, 1981F121 mi1 mi0 / 0
Apr 5, 1977F14 mi2 mi0 / 0
Aug 17, 1974F119 mi0.5 mi0 / 0
May 7, 1967F110 mi0.1 mi0 / 1
Aug 4, 2015EF014 mi1.76 mi0 / 0
Jul 14, 2012EF02 mi0.58 mi0 / 0
Aug 27, 2011EF023 mi0.47 mi0 / 0
Sep 14, 2007EF017 mi6.49 mi0 / 0
Jul 5, 2006F023 mi0.3 mi0 / 0

The strongest 12 of 15, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.

Hail in Accomac

The Storm Prediction Center has 12 hail reports within 10 miles of Accomac since 1996, made on 11 separate days. Of these, 6 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 2 days, most recently February 25, 2017. The most recent report is from August 5, 2022. May and July have the most reports, 3 each.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.

Weather by month in Accomac

The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Painter 2 W, VA, 12 miles southwest of Accomac at 30 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 88°F and low of 69°F; January is the coolest, at 48°F and 30°F. July is the wettest at 5.0 inches of precipitation on average and February and November the driest at 3.1 inches; the year adds up to 47.4 inches over 76 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 54% of the year's precipitation (25.8 of 47.4 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 78 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (31); a normal September there has highs of 80°F and 4.5 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 26 days a year, almost all from June to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 61 nights a year. Snowfall averages 6.6 inches a year, most of it in January. That 47.4 inches is more than at 78 of the 109 Virginia stations used on this site (72%). Parksley, 5 miles north, has its own station (Wallops Island Flight Fac, VA): 43.3 inches a year, 4.1 less than here, and a July average high of 86°F against 88°F.

Water temperature at the NOAA tide station Wachapreague, VA, 7 miles south, averaged 83°F in July and 42°F in January over 2021–2025. It averaged 80°F or warmer from July to August. Sea level at the Wachapreague tide gauge, 7 miles from Accomac, has risen 2.24 ± 0.12 inches per decade from 1978 to 2025, NOAA's linear trend; at that pace it is 22.4 inches in a hundred years. That is faster than at 127 of the 144 U.S. gauges with a NOAA trend.

Monthly climate normals 1991–2020 at Painter 2 W, VA
MonthHigh °FLow °FPrecip. inDays ≥ 0.1"Snow inWater °F
Jan48303.673.442
Feb51313.161.544
Mar58374.070.552
Apr68473.360.061
May76563.770.069
Jun83654.470.078
Jul88695.070.083
Aug86674.570.081
Sep80624.550.076
Oct71514.350.066
Nov60413.150.055
Dec52343.971.245
Year684947.4766.663

Averages for 1991–2020 at Painter 2 W, VA (30 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals; water temperature: average of hourly readings 2021–2025 at the NOAA tide station Wachapreague, VA, from NOAA Tides & Currents. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.

Virginia weather by month, station by station →

Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Accomac

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 91 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Accomac: 52 thunderstorm wind reports, 22 heavy rain events, 14 flash floods, 2 floods and 1 lightning strike. They killed 1 person and injured 1, and the NWS estimated $130,000 in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 60 mph, on July 28, 2006. August has had the most flash floods, 7 of 14. Of the 364 Virginia cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 122 have had fewer than Accomac.

  • July 1, 2016: flood 5 miles from the centre of Accomac — 1 killed.

  • August 25, 2012: thunderstorm wind 7 miles from the centre of Accomac — 1 injured, $10,000 damage.

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.

Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings

Flood insurance policyholders in Accomac's ZIP code 23301 have filed 32 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1980, and were paid $683,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. 25% of the claims carry the name of a storm or flood event; the rest have no event name. Of the 183 Virginia cities on this site with 10 or more claims, 78 have fewer than Accomac.

Accomack County, which includes Accomac, has been named in 20 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1972, 12 of them major disasters (by incident: 10 hurricanes, 2 biological emergencies, 2 floods, 2 severe storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Covid-19 Pandemic, on April 2, 2020. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Accomack County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Very High for coastal flooding; Relatively High for hurricanes; Relatively Low for inland flooding, strong wind and heat waves; Very Low for tornadoes, hail and lightning. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $31.2 million a year, the 15th highest of 133 Virginia counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $13.2 million (42%), is from hurricanes.

Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Risk ratings: FEMA, National Risk Index county table, December 2025 (v1.20), retrieved October 26, 2026; ratings compare counties nationwide, are meant for planning and are no substitute for a local risk assessment. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.

Cities near Accomac