Sussex County, New Jersey Tropical Cyclone History
Since 1863, 15 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Sussex County, New Jersey — about one every 10.9 years. Of those, 2 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Henri (2021), which passed 41 miles away on 23 August 2021.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
How strong they get
Key facts
- Most recentHenri (2021) — 41 mi away, 23 August 2021
- Strongest stormUnnamed Storm (1893) — 72 kt (83 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordAble (1952) — 7.5 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)None on record
- Passes within 25 miles6 of 15
- Peak monthAugust — 9 storms (60% of all)
- Most active year1893 — 2 storms
- Most active decade2020s — 3 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi0
- Record span1863–2021
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1860s | 1870s | 1880s | 1890s | 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henri (2021) | 23 Aug 2021 | 40.7 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Isaias (2020) | 4 Aug 2020 | 19.7 mi | TS / TD | 53 kt |
| Fay (2020) | 11 Jul 2020 | 24.4 mi | TS / TD | 32 kt |
| Irene (2011) | 28 Aug 2011 | 46.7 mi | TS / TD | 54 kt |
| Beryl (1994) | 18 Aug 1994 | 22.6 mi | TS / TD | 15 kt |
| Agnes (1972) | 22 Jun 1972 | 29.1 mi | TS / TD | 47 kt |
| Doria (1971) | 28 Aug 1971 | 46.4 mi | TS / TD | 46 kt |
| Diane (1955) | 19 Aug 1955 | 45.2 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Able (1952) | 1 Sep 1952 | 7.5 mi | TS / TD | 49 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1903) | 16 Sep 1903 | 39.5 mi | TS / TD | 55 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1893) | 29 Aug 1893 | 8.6 mi | TS / TD | 55 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1893) | 24 Aug 1893 | 49.2 mi | Cat 1 | 72 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1888) | 22 Aug 1888 | 14.5 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1878) | 23 Oct 1878 | 44.2 mi | Cat 1 | 68 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1863) | 19 Sep 1863 | 33.2 mi | TS / TD | 43 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
A further 9 systems passed within 50 miles after losing tropical characteristics. These are excluded from the counts above because they were no longer tropical cyclones at their closest approach — but several were highly damaging, so they are listed here. Showing the 8 most recent.
| Storm | Status | Closest approach | Distance | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence (2018) | Post-tropical | 18 Sep 2018 | 46.2 mi | 25 kt |
| Chris (1988) | Post-tropical | 29 Aug 1988 | 29.0 mi | 20 kt |
| Candy (1968) | Post-tropical | 26 Jun 1968 | 39.6 mi | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1945) | Post-tropical | 19 Sep 1945 | 31.4 mi | 28 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1929) | Post-tropical | 3 Oct 1929 | 48.9 mi | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1924) | Post-tropical | 30 Sep 1924 | 45.7 mi | 58 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1915) | Post-tropical | 4 Aug 1915 | 26.2 mi | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1899) | Post-tropical | 1 Nov 1899 | 8.3 mi | 48 kt |
How Sussex County, New Jersey compares
Among the 2,208 U.S. counties and county-equivalents that have recorded at least one tropical cyclone within 50 miles, Sussex County, New Jersey ranks #990 — more exposed than 55.2% of them. Within New Jersey it ranks #20 of 21, against a state average of 20.6 storms per county.
Notable storms
- Cat 1 Unnamed Storm (1893) passed 49 miles away on 24 August 1893 as a hurricane, reaching 72 kt (83 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 1 Unnamed Storm (1878) passed 44 miles away on 23 October 1878 as a hurricane, reaching 70 kt (81 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Isaias (2020) passed 20 miles away on 4 August 2020 as a tropical storm, reaching 55 kt (63 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1903) passed 40 miles away on 16 September 1903 as a tropical storm, reaching 55 kt (63 mph) while within 50 miles.
13 of the 15 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 10.9 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 15 storms spread over the 163 years from 1863 to 2025. 2 separate years saw more than one storm pass within 50 miles while decades have gone by with none. The longest recorded quiet stretch was 49 years, between 1903 and 1952. It has been 4 years since the last one; 9 of the 12 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
How many hurricanes have hit Sussex County, New Jersey?
2 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Sussex County, New Jersey at hurricane strength since 1863. Counting all tropical cyclones — including tropical storms and depressions — the total is 15.
When was the last hurricane in Sussex County, New Jersey?
Unnamed Storm (1893), on 24 August 1893, passing 49 miles away — 133 years ago. The most recent tropical cyclone of any strength was Henri (2021) in 2021.
What was the strongest storm to affect Sussex County, New Jersey?
Unnamed Storm (1893), which reached 72 kt (83 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 49 miles.
How often do hurricanes hit Sussex County, New Jersey?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 10.9 years — 15 storms over the 163 years from 1863 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby counties
Sussex County, New Jersey borders or sits close to 5 other counties with a published storm record. Morris County, New Jersey has 20 on record.