NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Heidelberg, MS
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
42 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Heidelberg, Mississippi since 1851, 4 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Zeta in 2020. Since 1950, 166 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 21 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 4
- Tropical storms
- 38
- Tornadoes
- 166
- EF3 or stronger
- 21
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
30 deaths in all
What the records show for Heidelberg
The strongest storm to pass near Heidelberg was Camille in 1969, a Category 2 hurricane with 96 mph winds when its centre passed 50 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was Frederic in 1979, whose centre came within 20 miles. The record near Heidelberg begins with an unnamed storm in 1852; the most recent system was Zeta in 2020, a Category 1 hurricane 30 miles away. Of the 42 systems, 10 have come since 2000. Heidelberg has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 69% of the 232 Mississippi cities on this site. The highest rating among the 166 tornadoes within 25 miles is F4 or EF4, reached 4 times; the most recent, on April 12, 2020, came within 6 miles. Of the 166, 5 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 108 have come since 2000. April has had the most tornadoes, 42. The most recent tornado was on May 26, 2025. Heidelberg has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 74% of the 232 Mississippi cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 61 times since 1976, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Heidelberg has more hail reports within 10 miles than 53% of the 232 Mississippi cities.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Heidelberg
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ZetaOct 29 | 30 mi | Category 1 (83 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2019 | OlgaOct 26 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | GordonSep 5 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2017 | NateOct 8 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2011 | LeeSep 5 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2005 | KatrinaAug 29 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2005 | DennisJul 11 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2005 | CindyJul 6 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2002 | IsidoreSep 26 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2001 | AllisonJun 11 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1995 | ErinAug 4 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1979 | FredericSep 13 | 20 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1971 | EdithSep 17 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1969 | CamilleAug 18 | 50 mi | Category 2 (96 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1960 | EthelSep 16 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1950 | BakerAug 31 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1948 | Unnamed 1948 stormSep 4 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1939 | Unnamed 1939 stormSep 26 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1939 | Unnamed 1939 stormAug 14 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1939 | Unnamed 1939 stormJun 16 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1932 | Unnamed 1932 stormOct 16 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1932 | Unnamed 1932 stormSep 1 | 1 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1923 | Unnamed 1923 stormOct 18 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormJul 6 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormSep 30 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormSep 14 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJun 13 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1911 | Unnamed 1911 stormAug 12 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormSep 22 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1906 | Unnamed 1906 stormSep 27 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormAug 16 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1895 | Unnamed 1895 stormAug 17 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormAug 8 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormSep 8 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1892 | Unnamed 1892 stormSep 12 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1880 | Unnamed 1880 stormSep 1 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormOct 7 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormSep 2 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormJul 12 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1860 | Unnamed 1860 stormSep 15 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1855 | Unnamed 1855 stormSep 16 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormAug 26 | 70 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Heidelberg: 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 Heidelberg
By decade
- 2020s47(4 EF3+)
- 2010s29(3 EF3+)
- 2000s32(2 EF3+)
- 1990s9(2 EF3+)
- 1980s14(2 EF3+)
- 1970s16(4 EF3+)
- 1960s11
- 1950s8(4 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF4 | 6 mi | 67.43 mi | 7 / 98 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 18 mi | 122.04 mi | 7 / 17 |
| Feb 28, 1987 | F4 | 7 mi | 35 mi | 6 / 350 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | F4 | 25 mi | 40 mi | 0 / 20 |
| Apr 21, 1951 | F3 | 11 mi | 33.5 mi | 2 / 16 |
| Jun 18, 2023 | EF3 | 18 mi | 6.46 mi | 1 / 25 |
| Apr 14, 1999 | F3 | 7 mi | 25.5 mi | 1 / 33 |
| May 27, 1973 | F3 | 10 mi | 15 mi | 1 / 35 |
| Apr 4, 1957 | F3 | 20 mi | 40.2 mi | 1 / 75 |
| Feb 12, 2025 | EF3 | 14 mi | 27.49 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 13 mi | 83.22 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 5 mi | 61.19 mi | 0 / 2 |
The strongest 12 of 166, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Heidelberg
The Storm Prediction Center has 61 hail reports within 10 miles of Heidelberg since 1976, made on 51 separate days. Of these, 36 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 5 days, most recently May 22, 2020. The most recent report is from June 26, 2024. April has the most reports, 16.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Heidelberg
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Laurel, MS, 15 miles southwest of Heidelberg at 225 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 93°F and low of 70°F; January is the coolest, at 60°F and 35°F. January is the wettest at 6.1 inches of precipitation on average and October the driest at 3.5 inches; the year adds up to 59.8 inches over 74 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 47% of the year's precipitation (27.9 of 59.8 inches); the other six months are wetter. September has brought the most of the 42 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (19); a normal September there has highs of 89°F and 3.9 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 82 days a year, almost all from May to October. Lows fall below freezing on about 41 nights a year. That 59.8 inches is more than at 49 of the 87 Mississippi stations used on this site (56%). Shubuta, 15 miles east, has its own station (P Harrison Archusa, MS): 61.5 inches a year, 1.7 more than here, and a July average high of 92°F against 93°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60 | 35 | 6.1 | 7 |
| Feb | 65 | 38 | 5.1 | 7 |
| Mar | 72 | 45 | 5.5 | 6 |
| Apr | 79 | 52 | 5.1 | 5 |
| May | 85 | 60 | 4.3 | 6 |
| Jun | 91 | 68 | 5.5 | 7 |
| Jul | 93 | 70 | 5.4 | 8 |
| Aug | 93 | 70 | 5.5 | 7 |
| Sep | 89 | 64 | 3.9 | 4 |
| Oct | 80 | 53 | 3.5 | 4 |
| Nov | 70 | 42 | 4.1 | 5 |
| Dec | 62 | 37 | 5.8 | 7 |
| Year | 78 | 53 | 59.8 | 74 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Laurel, MS (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 Heidelberg
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 134 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Heidelberg: 114 thunderstorm wind reports, 18 flash floods, 1 flood and 1 lightning strike. They killed 0 people and injured 3, and the NWS estimated $10.7 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 90 mph, on January 10, 2008. March has had the most flash floods, 8 of 18. Of the 232 Mississippi cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 111 have had fewer than Heidelberg.
March 9, 2011: flash flood 4 miles from the centre of Heidelberg — 2 injured, $2.0 million damage.
NWS: “Significant flooding occurred across portions of Jasper County as 6 to 8 inches of rain fell. Dozens of roads (40-50) were under water, including Highway 528.”
June 17, 2016: thunderstorm wind 6 miles from the centre of Heidelberg — 1 injured, $75,000 damage.
NWS: “Trees were blown down at the intersection of Bonner Road and Claiborne Road, while power lines were blown down on West Main Street near Sandersville. Falling limbs caused one injury in the Shady Grove Community.”
September 2, 2008: flash flood 7 miles from the centre of Heidelberg — $5.3 million damage.
NWS: “Persistent bands of thunderstorms produced widespread 4 to 6 inches of rain across most of central Jones County. Many roads across the county as well as around Laurel were flooded.”
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
Jasper County, which includes Heidelberg, has been named in 27 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1969, 21 of them major disasters (by incident: 11 hurricanes, 7 severe storms, 2 biological emergencies, 2 tornadoes). The latest major disaster declaration was Severe Winter Storm, on February 6, 2026. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Jasper County a Very Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Moderate for tornadoes and lightning; Relatively Low for hurricanes, hail, strong wind and heat waves; Very Low for inland flooding. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $7.5 million a year, the 61st highest of 82 Mississippi counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $1.9 million (26%), 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 Heidelberg
- Laurel, MS13 mi
- Shubuta, MS15 mi
- Bay Springs, MS17 mi
- Louin, MS21 mi
- Enterprise, MS23 mi
- Ellisville, MS23 mi
- Quitman, MS23 mi
- Waynesboro, MS24 mi
- Taylorsville, MS24 mi
- Ovett, MS27 mi
- Hickory, MS31 mi
- Raleigh, MS31 mi
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