NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Shipman, 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
23 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Shipman, Virginia since 1851, 3 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Zeta in 2020. Since 1950, 21 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 3 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 3
- Tropical storms
- 20
- Tornadoes
- 21
- EF3 or stronger
- 3
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
11 deaths in all
What the records show for Shipman
The strongest storm to pass near Shipman was Hazel in 1954, a Category 1 hurricane with 87 mph winds when its centre passed 51 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1896, whose centre came within 1 mile. The record near Shipman begins with an unnamed storm in 1878; the most recent system was Zeta in 2020, a tropical storm 14 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1890s, with 4 systems, 2 of them at hurricane strength. Of the 23 systems, 2 have come since 2000. Shipman has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 33% of the 364 Virginia cities on this site. The highest rating among the 21 tornadoes within 25 miles is F3 or EF3, reached 3 times; the most recent, on April 15, 2018, came within 22 miles. The deadliest, an F3 on September 30, 1959, killed 11 people. Of the 21, 2 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 12 have come since 2000. April has had the most tornadoes, 6. The most recent tornado was on April 26, 2022. Of the 364 Virginia cities, 74% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Shipman. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 28 times since 1980, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 364 Virginia cities, 74% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Shipman.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Shipman
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ZetaOct 29 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2003 | IsabelSep 19 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1996 | FranSep 6 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1979 | DavidSep 6 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1955 | DianeAug 18 | overhead | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 15 | 51 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 29 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 18 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 2 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormJun 19 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 19 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 11 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 4 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormOct 12 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormOct 31 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 30 | 1 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 13 | 31 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 1 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 13 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1883 | Unnamed 1883 stormSep 12 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormSep 13 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Shipman: 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 Shipman
By decade
- 2020s1
- 2010s6(1 EF3+)
- 2000s5
- 1990s3
- 1970s1
- 1960s2(1 EF3+)
- 1950s3(1 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 1959 | F3 | 23 mi | 0.8 mi | 11 / 4 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 22 mi | 20.4 mi | 0 / 12 |
| Jun 16, 1966 | F3 | 16 mi | 1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 29, 1963 | F2 | 23 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 26, 2022 | EF1 | 23 mi | 5.98 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF1 | 2 mi | 1.52 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 22, 2001 | F1 | 24 mi | 2.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 13, 2000 | F1 | 25 mi | 4 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Jun 10, 1995 | F1 | 24 mi | 3.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 23, 1959 | F1 | 23 mi | 1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 1, 1959 | F1 | 22 mi | 11.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 2, 2018 | EF0 | 23 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 21, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Shipman
The Storm Prediction Center has 28 hail reports within 10 miles of Shipman since 1980, made on 21 separate days. Of these, 23 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 3 days, most recently May 2, 2016. The most recent report is from April 14, 2025. May has the most reports, 11.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Shipman
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Tye Rvr 1 SE, VA, 11 miles southwest of Shipman at 720 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 87°F and low of 66°F; January is the coolest, at 48°F and 26°F. May is the wettest at 4.6 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.7 inches; the year adds up to 46.5 inches over 75 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 52% of the year's precipitation (24.4 of 46.5 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 23 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (9); a normal September there has highs of 80°F and 4.4 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 31 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 105 nights a year. That 46.5 inches is more than at 60 of the 109 Virginia stations used on this site (55%). Nellysford, 12 miles northwest, has its own station (Waynesboro Wtp, VA): 45.4 inches a year, 1.1 less than here, and a July average high of 86°F against 87°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48 | 26 | 3.5 | 6 |
| Feb | 52 | 28 | 2.7 | 6 |
| Mar | 60 | 34 | 3.7 | 7 |
| Apr | 70 | 43 | 3.6 | 6 |
| May | 77 | 52 | 4.6 | 8 |
| Jun | 84 | 61 | 4.5 | 7 |
| Jul | 87 | 66 | 3.7 | 7 |
| Aug | 86 | 64 | 4.4 | 6 |
| Sep | 80 | 57 | 4.4 | 6 |
| Oct | 71 | 45 | 3.8 | 5 |
| Nov | 61 | 35 | 3.6 | 6 |
| Dec | 51 | 29 | 4.0 | 6 |
| Year | 69 | 45 | 46.5 | 75 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Tye Rvr 1 SE, VA (720 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 Shipman
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 208 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Shipman: 135 thunderstorm wind reports, 37 flash floods, 35 floods and 1 heavy rain event. They killed 1 person and injured 1, and the NWS estimated $915,000 in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 71 mph, on May 22, 2001. September has had the most flash floods, 10 of 37. Of the 364 Virginia cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 277 have had fewer than Shipman.
May 26, 2024: thunderstorm wind 9 miles from the centre of Shipman — 1 killed, $5,000 damage.
June 29, 2012: thunderstorm wind 5 miles from the centre of Shipman — 1 injured, $1,000 damage.
NWS: “A large tree was down. A firefighter was injured while cleaning up the tree debris.”
August 21, 2022: flash flood 5 miles from the centre of Shipman — $500,000 damage.
NWS: “Glade Road was caved in where Buffalo Creek Stream intersections the road north of the James River Road. A car was also stuck in flood waters near the caved in portion of the road.”
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
Nelson County, which includes Shipman, has been named in 28 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1969, 19 of them major disasters (by incident: 8 hurricanes, 5 snowstorms, 4 floods, 4 severe storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Tropical Storm Helene, on October 1, 2024. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Nelson County a Very Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Low for hurricanes, inland flooding, strong wind and lightning; Very Low for tornadoes, hail and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $8.9 million a year, the 66th highest of 133 Virginia counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $6.9 million (78%), 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 Shipman
- Arrington, VA8 mi
- Roseland, VA11 mi
- Nellysford, VA12 mi
- Buckingham, VA15 mi
- Afton, VA17 mi
- Scottsville, VA18 mi
- Amherst, VA18 mi
- Stuarts Draft, VA22 mi
- Dillwyn, VA23 mi
- Waynesboro, VA23 mi
- Madison Heights, VA25 mi
- Greenville, VA26 mi
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