Dallas County, Texas Tropical Cyclone History
Since 1871, 12 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Dallas County, Texas — about one every 12.9 years. Of those, 0 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Bill (2015), which passed 39 miles away on 17 June 2015.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
Key facts
- Most recentBill (2015) — 39 mi away, 17 June 2015
- Strongest stormCarla (1961) — 36 kt (41 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordUnnamed Storm (1902) — 10.6 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)None on record
- Passes within 25 miles5 of 12
- Peak monthJune — 6 storms (50% of all)
- Most active year1871 — 1 storms
- Most active decade1960s — 3 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi0
- Record span1871–2015
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1870s | 1880s | 1890s | 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill (2015) | 17 Jun 2015 | 39.1 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Grace (2003) | 1 Sep 2003 | 19.9 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Frances (1998) | 13 Sep 1998 | 12.8 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Alicia (1983) | 19 Aug 1983 | 44.2 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Claudette (1979) | 27 Jul 1979 | 22.5 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Felice (1970) | 17 Sep 1970 | 45.9 mi | TS / TD | 27 kt |
| Candy (1968) | 24 Jun 1968 | 32.0 mi | TS / TD | 27 kt |
| Carla (1961) | 13 Sep 1961 | 37.2 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1960) | 26 Jun 1960 | 24.9 mi | TS / TD | 23 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1921) | 23 Jun 1921 | 37.4 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1902) | 28 Jun 1902 | 10.6 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1871) | 5 Jun 1871 | 49.5 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
No system on record passed within 50 miles of Dallas County, Texas after losing tropical characteristics, so every storm listed above was still a tropical or subtropical cyclone at its closest approach.
How Dallas County, Texas compares
Among the 2,208 U.S. counties and county-equivalents that have recorded at least one tropical cyclone within 50 miles, Dallas County, Texas ranks #1,170 — more exposed than 47.0% of them. Within Texas it ranks #122 of 223, against a state average of 15.7 storms per county.
Notable storms
- TS / TD Carla (1961) passed 37 miles away on 13 September 1961 as a tropical storm, reaching 36 kt (41 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1902) passed 11 miles away on 28 June 1902 as a tropical storm, reaching 35 kt (40 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1871) passed 50 miles away on 5 June 1871 as a tropical storm, reaching 35 kt (40 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Alicia (1983) passed 44 miles away on 19 August 1983 as a tropical depression, reaching 30 kt (35 mph) while within 50 miles.
11 of the 12 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 12.9 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 12 storms spread over the 155 years from 1871 to 2025. 0 separate years saw more than one storm pass within 50 miles while decades have gone by with none. The longest recorded quiet stretch was 39 years, between 1921 and 1960. It has been 10 years since the last one; 5 of the 11 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
Has a hurricane ever hit Dallas County, Texas?
No. No tropical cyclone on record has passed within 50 miles of Dallas County, Texas while at hurricane strength. 12 tropical cyclones have passed within that distance since 1871, all of them as tropical storms or depressions. The strongest was Carla (1961).
When was the last tropical cyclone in Dallas County, Texas?
Bill (2015), on 17 June 2015, passing 39 miles away — 11 years ago. No storm on record has passed within 50 miles of Dallas County, Texas at hurricane strength.
What was the strongest storm to affect Dallas County, Texas?
Carla (1961), which reached 36 kt (41 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 37 miles.
How often does a tropical storm reach Dallas County, Texas?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 12.9 years — 12 storms over the 155 years from 1871 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby counties
Dallas County, Texas borders or sits close to 6 other counties with a published storm record. Ellis County, Texas has 18 on record.