NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Natchez, 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
34 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Natchez, Mississippi since 1851, 3 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Francine in 2024. Since 1950, 84 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 9 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 3
- Tropical storms
- 31
- Tornadoes
- 84
- EF3 or stronger
- 9
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
32 deaths in all
What the records show for Natchez
The strongest storm to pass near Natchez was an unnamed storm in 1909, a Category 1 hurricane with 84 mph winds when its centre passed 19 miles away. The record near Natchez begins with an unnamed storm in 1856; the most recent system was Francine in 2024, a tropical storm 71 miles away. Of the 34 systems, 6 have come since 2000. Natchez has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 61% of the 232 Mississippi cities on this site. The strongest of the 84 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F4 on January 23, 1969; its path came within 21 miles, and it killed 32 people. Of the 84, 11 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 40 have come since 2000. November has had the most tornadoes, 15. The most recent tornado was on December 28, 2024. Of the 232 Mississippi cities, 82% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Natchez. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 71 times since 1961, with stones up to 2.75 inches (baseball size). Natchez has more hail reports within 10 miles than 63% of the 232 Mississippi cities.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Natchez
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | FrancineSep 12 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 2021 | IdaAug 30 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2020 | DeltaOct 10 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2019 | OlgaOct 26 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2012 | IsaacAug 30 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2002 | LiliOct 3 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1992 | AndrewAug 26 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1985 | ElenaSep 2 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1985 | DannyAug 16 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1979 | BobJul 11 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1971 | EdithSep 16 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1965 | BetsySep 10 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1957 | EstherSep 19 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1956 | Unnamed 1956 stormJun 14 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormSep 5 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormSep 19 | 68 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormJun 17 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1932 | Unnamed 1932 stormSep 20 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1931 | Unnamed 1931 stormJul 16 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1926 | Unnamed 1926 stormAug 26 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1923 | Unnamed 1923 stormOct 16 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1920 | Unnamed 1920 stormSep 22 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJun 13 | 75 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1911 | Unnamed 1911 stormAug 13 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1909 | Unnamed 1909 stormSep 21 | 19 mi | Category 1 (84 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1905 | Unnamed 1905 stormSep 29 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1898 | Unnamed 1898 stormSep 21 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1890 | Unnamed 1890 stormAug 27 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 20 | 21 mi | Category 1 (76 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 15 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormOct 7 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormSep 2 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1860 | Unnamed 1860 stormOct 3 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormAug 12 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Natchez: 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 Natchez
By decade
- 2020s6
- 2010s12
- 2000s22(2 EF3+)
- 1990s17(3 EF3+)
- 1980s10(1 EF3+)
- 1970s10(1 EF3+)
- 1960s2(2 EF3+)
- 1950s5
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 1969 | F4 | 21 mi | 117.8 mi | 32 / 241 |
| Sep 24, 2005 | F3 | 17 mi | 14 mi | 0 / 3 |
| Nov 23, 2004 | F3 | 16 mi | 18 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | F3 | 24 mi | 38 mi | 0 / 11 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | F3 | 19 mi | 3 mi | 0 / 6 |
| Dec 21, 1990 | F3 | 20 mi | 18 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 12, 1982 | F3 | 16 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | F3 | 14 mi | 31.7 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Dec 29, 1969 | F3 | 13 mi | 29.1 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF2 | 15 mi | 4.23 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 1, 2018 | EF2 | 2 mi | 0.99 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 30, 2017 | EF2 | 3 mi | 3.44 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 84, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Natchez
The Storm Prediction Center has 71 hail reports within 10 miles of Natchez since 1961, made on 55 separate days. Of these, 46 were 1 inch across or larger, and one reached 2 inches. The largest, 2.75 inches (baseball size), fell on April 6, 1983. The most recent report is from April 2, 2024. April and May have the most reports, 16 each.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Natchez
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Natchez, MS, 4 miles north of Natchez at 195 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 90°F and low of 71°F; January is the coolest, at 57°F and 36°F. January is the wettest at 6.2 inches of precipitation on average and October the driest at 4.0 inches; the year adds up to 60.1 inches over 81 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 45% of the year's precipitation (27.1 of 60.1 inches); the other six months are wetter. September has brought the most of the 34 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (13); a normal September there has highs of 86°F and 4.1 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 67 days a year, almost all from May to October. Lows fall below freezing on about 39 nights a year. That 60.1 inches is more than at 50 of the 87 Mississippi stations used on this site (57%). Roxie, 16 miles east, has its own station (Meadville, MS): 61.7 inches a year, 1.6 more than here, and a July average high of 92°F against 90°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57 | 36 | 6.2 | 8 |
| Feb | 61 | 39 | 5.5 | 8 |
| Mar | 68 | 47 | 6.0 | 7 |
| Apr | 75 | 53 | 4.9 | 6 |
| May | 82 | 62 | 4.7 | 7 |
| Jun | 87 | 69 | 4.5 | 8 |
| Jul | 90 | 71 | 4.5 | 8 |
| Aug | 89 | 71 | 4.9 | 7 |
| Sep | 86 | 65 | 4.1 | 5 |
| Oct | 77 | 53 | 4.0 | 5 |
| Nov | 67 | 43 | 5.1 | 6 |
| Dec | 59 | 38 | 5.7 | 7 |
| Year | 75 | 54 | 60.1 | 81 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Natchez, MS (195 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 Natchez
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 234 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Natchez: 199 thunderstorm wind reports, 30 flash floods, 3 lightning strikes and 2 heavy rain events. They killed 2 people and injured 10, and the NWS estimated $37.2 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 90 mph, on December 9, 2008. August has had the most flash floods, 6 of 30. Of the 232 Mississippi cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 179 have had fewer than Natchez.
December 28, 2024: thunderstorm wind 3 miles from the centre of Natchez — 1 killed, 1 injured, $150,000 damage.
NWS: “A large tree was blown down on a home on Westwood Road causing a fatality and additionally an injury. Other scattered downed trees were down across town.”
October 26, 2025: flash flood 4 miles from the centre of Natchez — 1 killed, 1 injured, $2,000 damage.
NWS: “Flood water covered N Canal Street and entered at least three businesses in Natchez including the Natchez Democrat, Blankensteins Supplies and Equipment, and the Natchez Convention Center. Two adults were swept off their feet by flood water near the intersection of Aldrich St.”
February 26, 1998: thunderstorm wind 4 miles from the centre of Natchez — 4 injured, $30.0 million damage.
NWS: “An intense line of thunderstorms or bow echo configuration moved across the Mississippi River and struck the city of Natchez. Strong outflow from the bow echo produced estimated winds of 80 to 100 miles an hour in the city.”
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 Natchez's ZIP code 39120 have filed 165 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1978, and were paid $1.2 million for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. The most came from Mid-spring storms in 2011: 26 claims (16% of all) and $343,000, then Flooding in 1979 with 18. The year with the most claims was 1979, with 47. 28% of the claims carry the name of a storm or flood event; the rest have no event name. Of the 133 Mississippi cities on this site with 10 or more claims, 93 have fewer than Natchez.
| Event | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-spring storms2011 | 26 | $343,000 |
| Flooding1979 | 18 | $78,000 |
Adams County, which includes Natchez, has been named in 27 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1965, 18 of them major disasters (by incident: 11 hurricanes, 6 severe storms, 4 floods, 2 biological emergencies). The latest major disaster declaration was Severe Winter Storm, on February 6, 2026. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Adams County a Relatively Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Moderate for tornadoes, strong wind and heat waves; Relatively Low for hurricanes, hail, inland flooding and lightning. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $12.5 million a year, the 36th highest of 82 Mississippi counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $5.6 million (45%), 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 Natchez
- Vidalia, LA8 mi
- Ferriday, LA13 mi
- Roxie, MS16 mi
- Fayette, MS21 mi
- Lorman, MS26 mi
- Meadville, MS28 mi
- Woodville, MS29 mi
- Jonesville, LA30 mi
- Gloster, MS31 mi
- Wisner, LA35 mi
- Centreville, MS36 mi
- Port Gibson, MS37 mi
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