NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Ruther Glen, 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
42 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Ruther Glen, Virginia since 1851, 4 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Elsa in 2021. Since 1950, 60 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 1 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 4
- Tropical storms
- 38
- Tornadoes
- 60
- 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 Ruther Glen
The strongest storm to pass near Ruther Glen was an unnamed storm in 1878, a Category 2 hurricane with 96 mph winds when its centre passed 19 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was Hazel in 1954, whose centre came within 17 miles. The record near Ruther Glen begins with an unnamed storm in 1859; the most recent system was Elsa in 2021, a tropical storm 58 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1880s, with 6 systems. Of the 42 systems, 7 have come since 2000. Ruther Glen has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 69% of the 364 Virginia cities on this site. The strongest of the 60 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F3 on April 1, 1998; its path came within 6 miles, and it killed 2 people. Of the 60, 4 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 40 have come since 2000. September has had the most tornadoes, 15. The most recent tornado was on August 8, 2024. Ruther Glen has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 65% of the 364 Virginia cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 22 times since 1958, with stones up to 2 inches (hen egg size). Of the 364 Virginia cities, 83% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Ruther Glen.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Ruther Glen
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ElsaJul 9 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2020 | ZetaOct 29 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | ErnestoSep 2 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2004 | GastonAug 30 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2003 | IsabelSep 19 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1963 | Unnamed 1963 stormJun 3 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1955 | DianeAug 18 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1955 | ConnieAug 13 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 15 | 17 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 29 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 18 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 21 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 2 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1943 | Unnamed 1943 stormOct 1 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1933 | Unnamed 1933 stormAug 23 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 19 | overhead | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 12 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 4 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 15 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormOct 12 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 51 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormOct 31 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 30 | 70 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 13 | 39 mi | Category 1 (78 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 11 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 2 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 13 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1883 | Unnamed 1883 stormSep 12 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 23 | 19 mi | Category 2 (96 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1876 | Unnamed 1876 stormSep 17 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 26 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 1 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Ruther Glen: 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 Ruther Glen
By decade
- 2020s4
- 2010s13
- 2000s23
- 1990s9(1 EF3+)
- 1980s5
- 1970s4
- 1950s2
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 1998 | F3 | 6 mi | 5 mi | 2 / 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 19 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 1, 1998 | F2 | 5 mi | 4 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Jun 13, 1951 | F2 | 25 mi | 4.1 mi | 0 / 12 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF1 | 3 mi | 1.72 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 17, 2018 | EF1 | 20 mi | 0.69 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF1 | 8 mi | 2.54 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF1 | 3 mi | 0.24 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF1 | 23 mi | 2.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | F1 | 25 mi | 7 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | F1 | 20 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | F1 | 1 mi | 1.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 60, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Ruther Glen
The Storm Prediction Center has 22 hail reports within 10 miles of Ruther Glen since 1958, made on 15 separate days. Of these, 9 were 1 inch across or larger, and one reached 2 inches. The largest, 2 inches (hen egg size), fell on June 16, 2016, the most recent report. June has the most reports, 11.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Ruther Glen
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Ashland, VA, 14 miles south of Ruther Glen at 220 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 87°F and low of 68°F; January is the coolest, at 47°F and 27°F. June is the wettest at 4.6 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.8 inches; the year adds up to 45.3 inches over 75 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 53% of the year's precipitation (24.1 of 45.3 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 42 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (15); a normal September there has highs of 79°F and 4.2 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 25 days a year, almost all from June to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 89 nights a year. Snowfall averages 14.7 inches a year, most of it in January. That 45.3 inches is more than at 46 of the 109 Virginia stations used on this site (42%). Woodford, 10 miles north, has its own station (Corbin, VA): 44.8 inches a year, 0.5 less than here, and the same July average high, 87°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47 | 27 | 3.3 | 7 | 5.9 |
| Feb | 51 | 29 | 2.8 | 6 | 4.0 |
| Mar | 60 | 36 | 3.8 | 7 | 1.8 |
| Apr | 71 | 45 | 3.4 | 7 | 0.0 |
| May | 77 | 55 | 4.2 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 83 | 63 | 4.6 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 87 | 68 | 4.3 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 85 | 66 | 3.9 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 79 | 60 | 4.2 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Oct | 69 | 48 | 3.7 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Nov | 59 | 37 | 3.4 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Dec | 50 | 30 | 3.7 | 7 | 3.0 |
| Year | 68 | 47 | 45.3 | 75 | 14.7 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Ashland, VA (220 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 Ruther Glen
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 177 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Ruther Glen: 141 thunderstorm wind reports, 18 heavy rain events, 10 floods and 8 flash floods. None is recorded as killing or injuring anyone; the NWS estimated $578,000 in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 75 mph, on June 16, 2016. July has had the most flash floods, 3 of 8. Of the 364 Virginia cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 42 have had fewer than Ruther Glen.
June 19, 2014: thunderstorm wind 9 miles from the centre of Ruther Glen — $100,000 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
Caroline County, which includes Ruther Glen, has been named in 24 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1969, 17 of them major disasters (by incident: 7 hurricanes, 6 snowstorms, 5 severe storms, 2 biological emergencies). The latest major disaster declaration was Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, on March 11, 2022. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Caroline County a Very Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Low for hurricanes, tornadoes, strong wind, lightning and heat waves; Very Low for hail, inland flooding and coastal flooding. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $8.3 million a year, the 70th highest of 133 Virginia counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $3.5 million (42%), 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 Ruther Glen
- Beaverdam, VA9 mi
- Woodford, VA10 mi
- Milford, VA10 mi
- Bowling Green, VA11 mi
- Partlow, VA13 mi
- Ashland, VA14 mi
- Montpelier, VA15 mi
- Bumpass, VA16 mi
- Hanover, VA16 mi
- Spotsylvania, VA19 mi
- Rockville, VA20 mi
- Glen Allen, VA20 mi
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