NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Drakes Branch, 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
41 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Drakes Branch, Virginia since 1851, 4 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ophelia in 2023. Since 1950, 26 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 0 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 4
- Tropical storms
- 37
- Tornadoes
- 26
- EF3 or stronger
- 0
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
1 deaths in all
What the records show for Drakes Branch
The strongest storm to pass near Drakes Branch was Hazel in 1954, a Category 1 hurricane with 90 mph winds when its centre passed 26 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1893, whose centre came within 11 miles. The record near Drakes Branch begins with an unnamed storm in 1859; the most recent system was Ophelia in 2023, a tropical storm 73 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1880s, with 7 systems. Of the 41 systems, 8 have come since 2000. Drakes Branch has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 69% of the 364 Virginia cities on this site. The highest rating among the 26 tornadoes within 25 miles is F2 or EF2, reached 8 times; the most recent, on November 2, 2018, came within 18 miles. The deadliest, an EF2 on April 27, 2011, killed 1 person. Of the 26, one had a path within 5 miles of the city centre, and 17 have come since 2000. May has had the most tornadoes, 6. The most recent tornado was on July 24, 2024. Of the 364 Virginia cities, 63% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Drakes Branch. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 26 times since 1964, with stones up to 2.75 inches (baseball size). Of the 364 Virginia cities, 78% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Drakes Branch.
Compare Drakes Branch's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Drakes Branch
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | OpheliaSep 23 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2020 | ZetaOct 29 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 11 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2003 | IsabelSep 19 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1996 | FranSep 6 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1979 | DavidSep 5 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1970 | AlmaMay 26 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1955 | DianeAug 18 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 15 | 26 mi | Category 1 (90 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 29 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 18 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 2 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 6 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 19 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 11 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 4 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 14 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormOct 12 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormOct 31 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 30 | 24 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 13 | 11 mi | Category 1 (83 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 10 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 2 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 22 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 13 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1883 | Unnamed 1883 stormSep 12 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormSep 13 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 51 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1876 | Unnamed 1876 stormSep 17 | 68 mi | Category 1 (76 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 1 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Drakes Branch: 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 Drakes Branch
By decade
- 2020s2
- 2010s12
- 2000s3
- 1990s3
- 1980s2
- 1970s3
- 1950s1
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 19 mi | 18.1 mi | 1 / 7 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 18 mi | 1.74 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 18 mi | 26.24 mi | 0 / 6 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | F2 | 22 mi | 38 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 29, 1988 | F2 | 14 mi | 4 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Oct 13, 1983 | F2 | 4 mi | 5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 12, 1974 | F2 | 24 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 27, 1957 | F2 | 20 mi | 9.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 24, 2024 | EF1 | 25 mi | 9.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF1 | 10 mi | 0.06 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 31, 2019 | EF1 | 23 mi | 4.47 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 11, 2019 | EF1 | 23 mi | 4.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 26, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Drakes Branch
The Storm Prediction Center has 26 hail reports within 10 miles of Drakes Branch since 1964, made on 21 separate days. Of these, 11 were 1 inch across or larger, and 2 reached 2 inches. The largest, 2.75 inches (baseball size), fell on May 26, 1995. The most recent report is from July 11, 2018. April has the most reports, 6.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Drakes Branch
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Charlotte Court House, VA, 9 miles northwest of Drakes Branch at 569 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 87°F and low of 67°F; January is the coolest, at 47°F and 27°F. July is the wettest at 4.8 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 3.0 inches; the year adds up to 46.7 inches over 75 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 51% of the year's precipitation (24.0 of 46.7 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 41 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (18); a normal September there has highs of 80°F and 4.5 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 27 days a year, almost all from June to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 95 nights a year. Snowfall averages 7.7 inches a year, most of it in January and February. That 46.7 inches is more than at 64 of the 109 Virginia stations used on this site (59%). Chase City, 11 miles south, has its own station (Chase City, VA): 46.7 inches a year, the same as here, and a July average high of 89°F against 87°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47 | 27 | 3.8 | 7 | 3.0 |
| Feb | 51 | 29 | 3.0 | 5 | 3.0 |
| Mar | 58 | 36 | 4.0 | 7 | 0.8 |
| Apr | 69 | 45 | 3.8 | 7 | 0.0 |
| May | 76 | 54 | 4.7 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 84 | 63 | 4.0 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 87 | 67 | 4.8 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 86 | 65 | 3.9 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 80 | 59 | 4.5 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Oct | 70 | 46 | 3.6 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Nov | 59 | 36 | 3.2 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Dec | 51 | 31 | 3.4 | 6 | 0.9 |
| Year | 68 | 46 | 46.7 | 75 | 7.7 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Charlotte Court House, VA (569 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 Drakes Branch
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 163 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Drakes Branch: 140 thunderstorm wind reports, 11 flash floods, 7 heavy rain events, 4 floods and 1 lightning strike. They killed 2 people and injured 1, and the NWS estimated $1.4 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 75 mph, on June 12, 2003. September has had the most flash floods, 5 of 11. Of the 364 Virginia cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 81 have had fewer than Drakes Branch.
October 11, 2018: flash flood 8 miles from the centre of Drakes Branch — 2 killed, $1.1 million damage.
September 17, 2018: lightning strike 9 miles from the centre of Drakes Branch — 1 injured.
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
Charlotte County, which includes Drakes Branch, has been named in 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1972, 14 of them major disasters (by incident: 6 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 Charlotte County a Very Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Low for hurricanes, strong wind and lightning; Very Low for tornadoes, hail, inland flooding and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $4.1 million a year, the 111th highest of 133 Virginia counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $1.5 million (37%), 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 Drakes Branch
- Keysville, VA6 mi
- Charlotte Court House, VA10 mi
- Chase City, VA11 mi
- Meherrin, VA13 mi
- Victoria, VA17 mi
- Brookneal, VA22 mi
- Pamplin, VA22 mi
- Kenbridge, VA23 mi
- Clarksville, VA24 mi
- Burkeville, VA24 mi
- Prospect, VA24 mi
- Nathalie, VA25 mi
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