NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Cumberland, 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
37 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Cumberland, Virginia since 1851, 4 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Elsa in 2021. Since 1950, 33 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 3 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 4
- Tropical storms
- 33
- Tornadoes
- 33
- EF3 or stronger
- 3
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
1 deaths in all
What the records show for Cumberland
The strongest storm to pass near Cumberland was an unnamed storm in 1878, a Category 2 hurricane with 97 mph winds when its centre passed 63 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1893, whose centre crossed the city. The record near Cumberland begins with an unnamed storm in 1859; the most recent system was Elsa in 2021, a tropical storm 68 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1880s, with 6 systems. Of the 37 systems, 6 have come since 2000. Cumberland has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 69% of the 364 Virginia cities on this site. The highest rating among the 33 tornadoes within 25 miles is F3 or EF3, reached 3 times; the most recent, on February 24, 2016, came within 23 miles. Of the 33, none had a path within 5 miles of the city centre, and 18 have come since 2000. September has had the most tornadoes, 8. The most recent tornado was on June 16, 2022. Of the 364 Virginia cities, 55% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Cumberland. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 25 times since 1984, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 364 Virginia cities, 79% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Cumberland.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Cumberland
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ElsaJul 9 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2020 | ZetaOct 29 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | ErnestoSep 2 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2003 | IsabelSep 19 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1996 | FranSep 6 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1979 | DavidSep 6 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1955 | DianeAug 18 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 15 | 19 mi | Category 1 (89 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 29 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 18 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 2 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 19 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 12 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 4 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 15 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormOct 12 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormOct 31 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 30 | 33 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 13 | overhead | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 11 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 2 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 13 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1883 | Unnamed 1883 stormSep 12 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 23 | 63 mi | Category 2 (97 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormSep 13 | 75 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1876 | Unnamed 1876 stormSep 17 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 1 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Cumberland: 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 Cumberland
By decade
- 2020s2
- 2010s8(1 EF3+)
- 2000s8
- 1990s2
- 1980s4
- 1970s6(1 EF3+)
- 1960s1
- 1950s2(1 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 23 mi | 16.89 mi | 1 / 7 |
| Jul 9, 1977 | F3 | 20 mi | 5.9 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | F3 | 24 mi | 6.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 12, 1974 | F2 | 24 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 10, 1960 | F2 | 25 mi | 1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 16, 2022 | EF1 | 22 mi | 21.48 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 11, 2018 | EF1 | 23 mi | 1.35 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jan 12, 2018 | EF1 | 15 mi | 0.41 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF1 | 12 mi | 5.54 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 28, 2006 | F1 | 19 mi | 3.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 23, 2003 | F1 | 23 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 2 |
| May 9, 2003 | F1 | 20 mi | 6 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 33, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Cumberland
The Storm Prediction Center has 25 hail reports within 10 miles of Cumberland since 1984, made on 21 separate days. Of these, 15 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 April 27, 2011. The most recent report is from June 26, 2023. April has the most reports, 11.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Cumberland
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Bremo Bluff, VA, 13 miles north of Cumberland at 225 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 92°F and low of 63°F; January is the coolest, at 49°F and 22°F. July is the wettest at 5.1 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.8 inches; the year adds up to 46.9 inches over 77 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 53% of the year's precipitation (25.0 of 46.9 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 37 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (17); a normal September there has highs of 84°F and 4.2 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 61 days a year, almost all from April to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 117 nights a year. That 46.9 inches is more than at 67 of the 109 Virginia stations used on this site (61%). Dillwyn, 13 miles west, has its own station (Farmville 2 N, VA): 44.4 inches a year, 2.5 less than here, and a July average high of 89°F against 92°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 49 | 22 | 3.3 | 7 |
| Feb | 53 | 24 | 2.8 | 6 |
| Mar | 61 | 30 | 4.0 | 7 |
| Apr | 73 | 40 | 3.3 | 6 |
| May | 80 | 50 | 4.9 | 8 |
| Jun | 88 | 59 | 4.3 | 7 |
| Jul | 92 | 63 | 5.1 | 8 |
| Aug | 90 | 62 | 3.8 | 6 |
| Sep | 84 | 54 | 4.2 | 6 |
| Oct | 73 | 41 | 4.0 | 5 |
| Nov | 62 | 31 | 3.6 | 5 |
| Dec | 52 | 25 | 3.6 | 7 |
| Year | 71 | 42 | 46.9 | 77 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Bremo Bluff, VA (225 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Cumberland
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 104 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Cumberland: 92 thunderstorm wind reports, 7 heavy rain events, 3 flash floods and 2 floods. None is recorded as killing or injuring anyone; the NWS estimated $192,000 in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 69 mph, on July 18, 2003.
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
Cumberland County, which includes Cumberland, has been named in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1969, 15 of them major disasters (by incident: 7 hurricanes, 5 severe storms, 3 snowstorms, 2 biological emergencies). The latest major disaster declaration was Severe Winter Storms and Flooding, on April 4, 2025. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Cumberland County a Very Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Low for hurricanes and strong wind; Very Low for tornadoes, hail, inland flooding, lightning and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $5.1 million a year, the 95th highest of 133 Virginia counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $1.4 million (27%), is from inland flooding.
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 Cumberland
- Dillwyn, VA13 mi
- Farmville, VA17 mi
- Jetersville, VA17 mi
- Goochland, VA18 mi
- Powhatan, VA20 mi
- Buckingham, VA20 mi
- Amelia Court House, VA21 mi
- Prospect, VA22 mi
- Burkeville, VA23 mi
- Scottsville, VA23 mi
- Palmyra, VA24 mi
- Crewe, VA25 mi
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