NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Sanderson, FL
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
88 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Sanderson, Florida since 1851, 9 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Debby in 2024. Since 1950, 33 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 0 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 9
- Tropical storms
- 79
- Tornadoes
- 33
- EF3 or stronger
- 0
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
no recorded deaths
What the records show for Sanderson
The strongest storm to pass near Sanderson was an unnamed storm in 1896, a Category 2 hurricane with 109 mph winds when its centre passed 6 miles away. The record near Sanderson begins with an unnamed storm in 1867; the most recent system was Debby in 2024, a tropical storm 25 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1870s, with 11 systems. Of the 88 systems, 15 have come since 2000. Of the 407 Florida cities on this site, 100% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Sanderson. The highest rating among the 33 tornadoes within 25 miles is F2 or EF2, reached 3 times; the most recent, on April 15, 2007, came within 10 miles. Of the 33, 2 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 13 have come since 2000. May has had the most tornadoes, 8. The most recent tornado was on March 16, 2025. Of the 407 Florida cities, 98% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Sanderson. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 20 times since 1969, with stones up to 2 inches (hen egg size). Of the 407 Florida cities, 78% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Sanderson.
Compare Sanderson's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Sanderson
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | DebbyAug 5 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2023 | IdaliaAug 30 | 51 mi | Category 1 (92 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 7 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2020 | EtaNov 12 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2017 | IrmaSep 11 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2016 | JuliaSep 14 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2016 | HermineSep 2 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2016 | ColinJun 7 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 7 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2012 | BerylMay 28 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2008 | FayAug 22 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2006 | AlbertoJun 13 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2005 | TammyOct 6 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2004 | JeanneSep 27 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2000 | GordonSep 18 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1996 | JosephineOct 8 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1985 | IsabelOct 10 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1984 | IsidoreSep 28 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1982 | Unnamed 1982 stormJun 18 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1976 | Unnamed 1976 stormMay 23 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1972 | AlphaMay 28 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1971 | Unnamed 1971 stormAug 16 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1968 | GladysOct 19 | 71 mi | Category 1 (84 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1968 | AbbyJun 7 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1966 | Unnamed 1966 stormJul 2 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1966 | AlmaJun 10 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1964 | HildaOct 5 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1964 | DoraSep 10 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1964 | CleoAug 28 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 29 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1957 | Unnamed 1957 stormJun 9 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1950 | LoveOct 21 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1950 | KingOct 19 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (71 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1950 | EasySep 7 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 28 | 38 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormOct 7 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormSep 24 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1946 | Unnamed 1946 stormOct 8 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 17 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 19 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1941 | Unnamed 1941 stormOct 21 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1937 | Unnamed 1937 stormAug 30 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1936 | Unnamed 1936 stormAug 22 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 5 | 57 mi | Category 1 (78 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1933 | Unnamed 1933 stormSep 6 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1932 | Unnamed 1932 stormSep 15 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 18 | 39 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1926 | Unnamed 1926 stormJul 28 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 29 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 16 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1919 | Unnamed 1919 stormOct 1 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormOct 4 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 15 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 2 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1914 | Unnamed 1914 stormSep 17 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJul 15 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1910 | Unnamed 1910 stormOct 19 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 29 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1906 | Unnamed 1906 stormOct 21 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 15 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1900 | Unnamed 1900 stormOct 12 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1898 | Unnamed 1898 stormOct 2 | 56 mi | Category 2 (105 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 29 | 6 mi | Category 2 (109 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormSep 26 | 74 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormJun 16 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormJun 17 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormOct 11 | 31 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 9 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 19 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 12 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormSep 21 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormAug 31 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormOct 11 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1880 | Unnamed 1880 stormOct 8 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1880 | Unnamed 1880 stormSep 8 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormOct 27 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 11 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormSep 11 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (71 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 26 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormSep 20 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 28 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1873 | Unnamed 1873 stormSep 19 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1873 | Unnamed 1873 stormJun 2 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1871 | Unnamed 1871 stormOct 6 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1871 | Unnamed 1871 stormSep 6 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1871 | Unnamed 1871 stormAug 18 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1868 | Unnamed 1868 stormOct 4 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1867 | Unnamed 1867 stormOct 7 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 2 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Sanderson: 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 Sanderson
By decade
- 2020s2
- 2010s4
- 2000s7
- 1990s4
- 1980s4
- 1970s9
- 1960s2
- 1950s1
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 2007 | EF2 | 10 mi | 1.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Dec 25, 2006 | F2 | 19 mi | 2.74 mi | 0 / 1 |
| May 12, 1974 | F2 | 11 mi | 17.5 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Mar 16, 2025 | EF1 | 14 mi | 2.73 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Feb 4, 2024 | EF1 | 24 mi | 1.05 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 7, 2008 | EF1 | 6 mi | 5.51 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 16, 1983 | F1 | 10 mi | 0.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 23, 1983 | F1 | 22 mi | 10 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 3, 1978 | F1 | 25 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Feb 6, 1975 | F1 | 24 mi | 20.7 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Sep 8, 1968 | F1 | 25 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 29, 1962 | F1 | 20 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 33, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Sanderson
The Storm Prediction Center has 20 hail reports within 10 miles of Sanderson since 1969, made on 16 separate days. Of these, 10 were 1 inch across or larger, and 2 reached 2 inches. The largest, 2 inches (hen egg size), fell on February 16, 1998. The most recent report is from April 25, 2015. April has the most reports, 6.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Sanderson
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Glen St Mary 1 W, FL, 9 miles southeast of Sanderson at 128 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 93°F and low of 71°F; January is the coolest, at 67°F and 40°F. June is the wettest at 8.4 inches of precipitation on average and November the driest at 1.9 inches; the year adds up to 53.2 inches over 78 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 63% of the year's precipitation (33.7 of 53.2 inches); the other six months are drier. Highs reach 90°F on about 81 days a year, almost all from April to October. Lows fall below freezing on about 28 nights a year. That 53.2 inches is more than at 49 of the 125 Florida stations used on this site (39%). Bryceville, 18 miles east, has its own station (Jacksonville, FL): 53.5 inches a year, 0.3 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 | 67 | 40 | 3.7 | 6 |
| Feb | 71 | 44 | 3.5 | 5 |
| Mar | 76 | 48 | 3.7 | 6 |
| Apr | 82 | 53 | 3.1 | 5 |
| May | 88 | 61 | 2.9 | 5 |
| Jun | 91 | 69 | 8.4 | 10 |
| Jul | 93 | 71 | 6.8 | 11 |
| Aug | 92 | 71 | 7.1 | 11 |
| Sep | 89 | 68 | 5.8 | 8 |
| Oct | 83 | 59 | 3.7 | 4 |
| Nov | 75 | 49 | 1.9 | 3 |
| Dec | 69 | 43 | 2.6 | 4 |
| Year | 81 | 56 | 53.2 | 78 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Glen St Mary 1 W, FL (128 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 Sanderson
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 86 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Sanderson: 75 thunderstorm wind reports, 7 heavy rain events, 3 floods and 1 lightning strike. They killed 0 people and injured 1, and the NWS estimated $567,000 in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 75 mph, on December 11, 2008.
May 6, 2022: lightning strike 8 miles from the centre of Sanderson — 1 injured.
June 25, 2012: flood 4 miles from the centre of Sanderson — $500,000 damage.
NWS: “Record flooding occurred in Baker county with a historic crest on the St. Marys River due to persistent heavy rainfall over NE Florida and SE Georgia in the river's upstream charge basin.”
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
Baker County, which includes Sanderson, has been named in 40 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1973, 23 of them major disasters (by incident: 17 hurricanes, 9 severe storms, 5 fires, 4 tropical storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Hurricane Milton, on October 11, 2024. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Baker County a Very Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Low for hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning and heat waves; Very Low for hail, inland flooding and strong wind. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $6.3 million a year, the 64th highest of 67 Florida counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $3.0 million (48%), 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 Sanderson
- Glen Saint Mary, FL9 mi
- Saint George, GA11 mi
- Macclenny, FL12 mi
- Bryceville, FL18 mi
- Raiford, FL22 mi
- Lawtey, FL25 mi
- Lake Butler, FL28 mi
- Callahan, FL28 mi
- Hilliard, FL28 mi
- Lake City, FL29 mi
- White Springs, FL30 mi
- Middleburg, FL32 mi
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