NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Ellendale, DE
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
56 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Ellendale, Delaware since 1851, 7 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ida in 2021. Since 1950, 45 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 1 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 7
- Tropical storms
- 49
- Tornadoes
- 45
- EF3 or stronger
- 1
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
2 deaths in all
What the records show for Ellendale
The strongest storm to pass near Ellendale was Gloria in 1985, a Category 2 hurricane with 98 mph winds when its centre passed 57 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1904, whose centre came within 5 miles. The record near Ellendale begins with an unnamed storm in 1856; the most recent system was Ida in 2021, a tropical storm 68 miles away. The 1880s and the 1900s were the busiest decades, with 6 systems each. Of the 56 systems, 13 have come since 2000. Ellendale has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 54% of the 37 Delaware cities on this site. The strongest of the 45 tornadoes within 25 miles was an EF3 on April 1, 2023; its path passed within a mile of the city centre, and it killed 1 person. Of the 45, one had a path within 5 miles of the city centre, and 16 have come since 2000. July has had the most tornadoes, 14. The most recent tornado was on June 30, 2025. Of the 37 Delaware cities, 57% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Ellendale. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 15 times since 1968, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 37 Delaware cities, 49% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Ellendale.
Compare Ellendale's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Ellendale
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | IdaSep 1 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 9 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2020 | ZetaOct 29 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2020 | FayJul 10 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 8 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2012 | SandyOct 30 | 61 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2011 | IreneAug 28 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | ErnestoSep 2 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2004 | JeanneSep 29 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2004 | GastonAug 31 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2004 | CharleyAug 15 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1999 | FloydSep 16 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1992 | DanielleSep 26 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1985 | GloriaSep 27 | 57 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 28 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1963 | Unnamed 1963 stormJun 3 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 15 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | DonnaSep 12 | 71 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1959 | CindyJul 11 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1955 | ConnieAug 13 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 21 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 3 | 1 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1943 | Unnamed 1943 stormOct 1 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormJun 19 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 12 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 17 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 30 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 15 | 5 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1903 | Unnamed 1903 stormSep 16 | 40 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormOct 12 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1900 | Unnamed 1900 stormOct 14 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormNov 1 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 45 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 23 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 25 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 11 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 2 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 23 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1881 | Unnamed 1881 stormSep 10 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormAug 18 | 61 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | overhead | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 26 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1866 | Unnamed 1866 stormOct 30 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 19 | overhead | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 27 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormAug 20 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Ellendale: 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 Ellendale
By decade
- 2020s9(1 EF3+)
- 2010s7
- 1990s17
- 1980s4
- 1970s4
- 1960s2
- 1950s2
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | in town | 14.3 mi | 1 / 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 21 mi | 35.78 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 15, 2019 | EF2 | 13 mi | 6.2 mi | 0 / 1 |
| May 18, 1995 | F2 | 21 mi | 10 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 31, 1992 | F2 | 16 mi | 4 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 18, 1984 | F2 | 8 mi | 1.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 9, 1977 | F2 | 16 mi | 0.2 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Jan 27, 1967 | F2 | 17 mi | 0.5 mi | 0 / 7 |
| May 8, 1984 | F1 | 11 mi | 18 mi | 1 / 14 |
| May 16, 2025 | EF1 | 20 mi | 11.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 1, 2021 | EF1 | 9 mi | 4.7 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 1, 2021 | EF1 | 9 mi | 3.85 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 45, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Ellendale
The Storm Prediction Center has 15 hail reports within 10 miles of Ellendale since 1968, made on 14 separate days. Of these, 12 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 3 days, most recently April 1, 1993. The most recent report is from September 8, 2023. May has the most reports, 6.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Ellendale
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Greenwood 2NE, DE, 8 miles west of Ellendale at 45 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 87°F and low of 67°F; January is the coolest, at 44°F and 25°F. September is the wettest at 4.8 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.9 inches; the year adds up to 46.3 inches over 75 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 54% of the year's precipitation (24.9 of 46.3 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 56 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (21); a normal September there has highs of 79°F and 4.8 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 22 days a year, almost all from May to August. Lows fall below freezing on about 96 nights a year. Snowfall averages 12.8 inches a year, most of it in February. That 46.3 inches is more than at 4 of the 11 Delaware stations used on this site (36%). Milton, 8 miles east, has its own station (Georgetown Sussex Co Airport, DE): 43.9 inches a year, 2.4 less than here, and a July average high of 88°F against 87°F.
Water temperature at the NOAA tide station Lewes, DE, 17 miles east, averaged 74°F in August and 40°F in January over 2021–2025. No month averaged 80°F. Sea level at the Lewes tide gauge, 17 miles from Ellendale, has risen 1.49 ± 0.05 inches per decade from 1919 to 2025, NOAA's linear trend; at that pace it is 14.9 inches in a hundred years. That is faster than at 89 of the 144 U.S. gauges with a NOAA trend.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in | Water °F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44 | 25 | 3.6 | 7 | 3.3 | 40 |
| Feb | 46 | 26 | 2.9 | 6 | 5.9 | 40 |
| Mar | 54 | 33 | 4.0 | 7 | 1.6 | 46 |
| Apr | 65 | 42 | 3.4 | 7 | 0.2 | 53 |
| May | 73 | 52 | 3.7 | 6 | 0.0 | 61 |
| Jun | 82 | 62 | 4.2 | 7 | 0.0 | 69 |
| Jul | 87 | 67 | 4.0 | 6 | 0.0 | 73 |
| Aug | 85 | 65 | 4.5 | 5 | 0.0 | 74 |
| Sep | 79 | 58 | 4.8 | 6 | 0.0 | 73 |
| Oct | 68 | 46 | 4.2 | 6 | 0.0 | 65 |
| Nov | 57 | 37 | 3.2 | 6 | 0.0 | 54 |
| Dec | 48 | 29 | 3.8 | 7 | 1.8 | 45 |
| Year | 66 | 45 | 46.3 | 75 | 12.8 | 58 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Greenwood 2NE, DE (45 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals; water temperature: average of hourly readings 2021–2025 at the NOAA tide station Lewes, DE, 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.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Ellendale
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 194 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Ellendale: 83 thunderstorm wind reports, 72 heavy rain events, 17 floods, 12 lightning strikes and 10 flash floods. They killed 0 people and injured 1, and the NWS estimated $1.1 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 75 mph, on December 12, 2008. August has had the most flash floods, 5 of 10. Of the 37 Delaware cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 10 have had fewer than Ellendale.
June 10, 2011: lightning strike 8 miles from the centre of Ellendale — 1 injured, $200,000 damage.
July 10, 2007: lightning strike 9 miles from the centre of Ellendale — $300,000 damage.
June 4, 2008: thunderstorm wind 9 miles from the centre of Ellendale — $250,000 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
Sussex County, which includes Ellendale, has been named in 20 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1965, 14 of them major disasters (by incident: 6 hurricanes, 5 snowstorms, 3 severe storms, 2 biological emergencies). The latest major disaster declaration was Severe Winter Storm, on May 29, 2026. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Sussex County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Very High for coastal flooding; Relatively High for hurricanes, strong wind and lightning; Relatively Moderate for inland flooding and heat waves; Relatively Low for tornadoes and hail. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $119.3 million a year, the 2nd highest of 3 Delaware counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $42.6 million (36%), 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.