Ellis County, Texas Tropical Cyclone History
Since 1871, 18 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Ellis County, Texas — about one every 8.6 years. Of those, 1 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 stormUnnamed Storm (1900) — 52 kt (60 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordUnnamed Storm (1902) — 1.4 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)None on record
- Passes within 25 miles5 of 18
- Peak monthJune and September — 6 storms (33% of all)
- Most active year1970 — 2 storms
- Most active decade1960s and 1970s — 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 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1870s | 1880s | 1890s | 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill (2015) | 17 Jun 2015 | 39.2 mi | TS / TD | 27 kt |
| Grace (2003) | 1 Sep 2003 | 15.4 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Frances (1998) | 13 Sep 1998 | 8.0 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Dean (1995) | 1 Aug 1995 | 46.9 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Chantal (1989) | 2 Aug 1989 | 36.5 mi | TS / TD | 22 kt |
| Alicia (1983) | 19 Aug 1983 | 27.5 mi | TS / TD | 32 kt |
| Claudette (1979) | 27 Jul 1979 | 18.6 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Felice (1970) | 16 Sep 1970 | 41.1 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1970) | 2 Sep 1970 | 26.8 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Candy (1968) | 24 Jun 1968 | 41.5 mi | TS / TD | 28 kt |
| Carla (1961) | 12 Sep 1961 | 40.5 mi | TS / TD | 37 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1960) | 26 Jun 1960 | 17.6 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1943) | 29 Jul 1943 | 42.3 mi | TS / TD | 29 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1926) | 27 Aug 1926 | 26.8 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1921) | 23 Jun 1921 | 36.1 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1902) | 27 Jun 1902 | 1.4 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1900) | 9 Sep 1900 | 46.8 mi | TS / TD | 52 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1871) | 5 Jun 1871 | 44.8 mi | TS / TD | 38 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
No system on record passed within 50 miles of Ellis County, Texas after losing tropical characteristics, so every storm listed above was still a tropical or subtropical cyclone at its closest approach.
How Ellis County, Texas compares
Among the 2,208 U.S. counties and county-equivalents that have recorded at least one tropical cyclone within 50 miles, Ellis County, Texas ranks #876 — more exposed than 60.3% of them. Within Texas it ranks #80 of 223, against a state average of 15.7 storms per county.
Notable storms
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1900) passed 47 miles away on 9 September 1900 as a hurricane, reaching 52 kt (60 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1871) passed 45 miles away on 5 June 1871 as a tropical storm, reaching 40 kt (46 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Carla (1961) passed 40 miles away on 12 September 1961 as a tropical storm, reaching 38 kt (44 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1902) passed 1 miles away on 27 June 1902 as a tropical storm, reaching 35 kt (40 mph) while within 50 miles.
16 of the 18 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 8.6 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 18 storms spread over the 155 years from 1871 to 2025. 1 separate year saw more than one storm pass within 50 miles while decades have gone by with none. The longest recorded quiet stretch was 29 years, between 1871 and 1900. It has been 10 years since the last one; 5 of the 16 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
How many hurricanes have hit Ellis County, Texas?
1 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Ellis County, Texas at hurricane strength since 1871. Counting all tropical cyclones — including tropical storms and depressions — the total is 18.
When was the last hurricane in Ellis County, Texas?
Unnamed Storm (1900), on 9 September 1900, passing 47 miles away — 126 years ago. The most recent tropical cyclone of any strength was Bill (2015) in 2015.
What was the strongest storm to affect Ellis County, Texas?
Unnamed Storm (1900), which reached 52 kt (60 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 47 miles.
How often do hurricanes hit Ellis County, Texas?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 8.6 years — 18 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
Ellis County, Texas borders or sits close to 7 other counties with a published storm record. Hill County, Texas has 19 on record.