NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Saluda, 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
61 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Saluda, Virginia since 1851, 8 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Elsa in 2021. Since 1950, 70 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 4 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 8
- Tropical storms
- 53
- Tornadoes
- 70
- EF3 or stronger
- 4
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
3 deaths in all
What the records show for Saluda
The strongest storm to pass near Saluda was an unnamed storm in 1879, a Category 2 hurricane with 104 mph winds when its centre passed 69 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1933, whose centre came within 8 miles. The record near Saluda begins with an unnamed storm in 1854; the most recent system was Elsa in 2021, a tropical storm 5 miles away. The 1870s and the 1880s were the busiest decades, with 6 systems each. Of the 61 systems, 11 have come since 2000. Saluda has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 89% of the 364 Virginia cities on this site. The highest rating among the 70 tornadoes within 25 miles is F3 or EF3, reached 4 times; the most recent, on April 16, 2011, came within 13 miles. Of the 70, 4 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 41 have come since 2000. April and August have had the most tornadoes, 14 each. The most recent tornado was on November 9, 2025. Saluda has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 73% of the 364 Virginia cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 28 times since 1961, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 364 Virginia cities, 74% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Saluda.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Saluda
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ElsaJul 9 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2020 | ZetaOct 29 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 12 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 7 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2011 | IreneAug 28 | 69 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | ErnestoSep 2 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2004 | GastonAug 31 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2004 | CharleyAug 15 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1999 | FloydSep 16 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1997 | DannyJul 24 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1992 | DanielleSep 25 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1986 | CharleyAug 18 | 74 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1983 | DeanSep 30 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 28 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1969 | CamilleAug 20 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1967 | DoriaSep 16 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1963 | Unnamed 1963 stormJun 3 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 14 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1959 | CindyJul 10 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1955 | ConnieAug 13 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 15 | 68 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 18 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 21 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 2 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1943 | Unnamed 1943 stormOct 1 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 6 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1933 | Unnamed 1933 stormAug 23 | 8 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 19 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 12 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 35 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 17 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 30 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 15 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormOct 12 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 1 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormOct 31 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 56 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 23 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 25 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 11 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 2 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 23 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1881 | Unnamed 1881 stormSep 10 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormAug 18 | 69 mi | Category 2 (104 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 23 | 28 mi | Category 2 (97 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1876 | Unnamed 1876 stormSep 17 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 26 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 18 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 27 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormAug 20 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1854 | Unnamed 1854 stormSep 10 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Saluda: 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 Saluda
By decade
- 2020s7
- 2010s21(1 EF3+)
- 2000s13
- 1990s15(2 EF3+)
- 1980s6(1 EF3+)
- 1970s6
- 1960s1
- 1950s1
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 13 mi | 26.47 mi | 2 / 24 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | F3 | 25 mi | 5 mi | 1 / 0 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | F3 | 2 mi | 2.9 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | F3 | 24 mi | 5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 15 mi | 15.61 mi | 0 / 5 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 14 mi | 2.8 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 2, 1989 | F2 | 24 mi | 5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | F2 | 20 mi | 15 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 11, 1981 | F2 | 8 mi | 0.2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 25, 1975 | F2 | 17 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 3, 2024 | EF1 | 25 mi | 5.78 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF1 | 24 mi | 2.2 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 70, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Saluda
The Storm Prediction Center has 28 hail reports within 10 miles of Saluda since 1961, made on 21 separate days. Of these, 14 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 June 7, 2008. The most recent report is from June 16, 2023. July has the most reports, 8.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Saluda
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is W Pt 2 NW, VA, 11 miles west of Saluda at 20 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 90°F and low of 68°F; January is the coolest, at 49°F and 28°F. July and September are the wettest at 4.9 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.8 inches; the year adds up to 48.1 inches over 77 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 54% of the year's precipitation (26.2 of 48.1 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 61 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (23); a normal September there has highs of 82°F and 4.9 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 50 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 83 nights a year. Snowfall averages 9.6 inches a year, most of it in January. That 48.1 inches is more than at 86 of the 109 Virginia stations used on this site (79%). Gloucester, 12 miles south, has its own station (N, VA): 51.9 inches a year, 3.8 more than here, and a July average high of 85°F against 90°F.
Sea level at the Windmill Point tide gauge, 18 miles from Saluda, has risen 2.55 ± 0.20 inches per decade from 1982 to 2025, NOAA's linear trend; at that pace it is 25.5 inches in a hundred years. That is faster than at 138 of the 144 U.S. gauges with a NOAA trend.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 49 | 28 | 3.6 | 6 | 4.3 |
| Feb | 53 | 30 | 2.8 | 6 | 2.6 |
| Mar | 61 | 36 | 4.0 | 7 | 1.0 |
| Apr | 72 | 46 | 3.8 | 7 | 0.1 |
| May | 79 | 55 | 4.1 | 8 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 86 | 64 | 4.5 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 90 | 68 | 4.9 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 88 | 67 | 4.8 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 82 | 61 | 4.9 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Oct | 72 | 49 | 4.1 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Nov | 61 | 38 | 3.0 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Dec | 52 | 32 | 3.6 | 7 | 1.6 |
| Year | 70 | 48 | 48.1 | 77 | 9.6 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at W Pt 2 NW, VA (20 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 Saluda
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 158 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Saluda: 99 thunderstorm wind reports, 51 heavy rain events, 6 floods and 2 flash floods. None is recorded as killing or injuring anyone; the NWS estimated $1.4 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 69 mph, on August 6, 2000.
July 12, 2009: thunderstorm wind 10 miles from the centre of Saluda — $1.0 million damage.
May 22, 2014: thunderstorm wind 10 miles from the centre of Saluda — $200,000 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
Gloucester County, which includes Saluda, has been named in 18 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1972, 10 of them major disasters (by incident: 8 hurricanes, 3 snowstorms, 2 biological emergencies, 2 floods). The latest major disaster declaration was Covid-19 Pandemic, on April 2, 2020. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Gloucester County a Very Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Moderate for coastal flooding; Relatively Low for hurricanes, tornadoes, strong wind, lightning and heat waves; Very Low for hail and inland flooding. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $9.0 million a year, the 63rd highest of 133 Virginia counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $3.4 million (38%), 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 Saluda
- Lancaster, VA12 mi
- Gloucester, VA12 mi
- West Point, VA12 mi
- White Stone, VA14 mi
- Toano, VA17 mi
- Kilmarnock, VA18 mi
- Lanexa, VA19 mi
- Mathews, VA19 mi
- Williamsburg, VA21 mi
- Hayes, VA21 mi
- Dunnsville, VA22 mi
- King William, VA23 mi
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