Grayson County, Texas Tropical Cyclone History
Since 1902, 12 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Grayson County, Texas — about one every 10.3 years. Of those, 0 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Bill (2015), which passed 29 miles away on 18 June 2015.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
Key facts
- Most recentBill (2015) — 29 mi away, 18 June 2015
- Strongest stormCarla (1961) — 35 kt (40 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordCandy (1968) — 13.9 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)None on record
- Passes within 25 miles2 of 12
- Peak monthJune and September — 5 storms (42% of all)
- Most active year1902 — 1 storms
- Most active decade1960s — 3 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi0
- Record span1902–2015
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill (2015) | 18 Jun 2015 | 28.9 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Grace (2003) | 1 Sep 2003 | 47.8 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Frances (1998) | 13 Sep 1998 | 47.0 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Claudette (1979) | 27 Jul 1979 | 35.3 mi | TS / TD | 17 kt |
| Felice (1970) | 17 Sep 1970 | 20.6 mi | TS / TD | 27 kt |
| Candy (1968) | 24 Jun 1968 | 13.9 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Carla (1961) | 13 Sep 1961 | 30.0 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1960) | 27 Jun 1960 | 36.6 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Debra (1959) | 26 Jul 1959 | 39.4 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1947) | 20 Sep 1947 | 44.9 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1921) | 23 Jun 1921 | 40.6 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1902) | 28 Jun 1902 | 26.0 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
No system on record passed within 50 miles of Grayson County, Texas after losing tropical characteristics, so every storm listed above was still a tropical or subtropical cyclone at its closest approach.
How Grayson County, Texas compares
Among the 2,208 U.S. counties and county-equivalents that have recorded at least one tropical cyclone within 50 miles, Grayson County, Texas ranks #1,171 — more exposed than 47.0% of them. Within Texas it ranks #123 of 223, against a state average of 15.7 storms per county.
Notable storms
- TS / TD Carla (1961) passed 30 miles away on 13 September 1961 as a tropical storm, reaching 35 kt (40 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1902) passed 26 miles away on 28 June 1902 as a tropical storm, reaching 35 kt (40 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Felice (1970) passed 21 miles away on 17 September 1970 as a tropical depression, reaching 30 kt (35 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1947) passed 45 miles away on 20 September 1947 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 10.3 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 12 storms spread over the 124 years from 1902 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 26 years, between 1921 and 1947. 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 Grayson County, Texas?
No. No tropical cyclone on record has passed within 50 miles of Grayson County, Texas while at hurricane strength. 12 tropical cyclones have passed within that distance since 1902, all of them as tropical storms or depressions. The strongest was Carla (1961).
When was the last tropical cyclone in Grayson County, Texas?
Bill (2015), on 18 June 2015, passing 29 miles away — 11 years ago. No storm on record has passed within 50 miles of Grayson County, Texas at hurricane strength.
What was the strongest storm to affect Grayson County, Texas?
Carla (1961), which reached 35 kt (40 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 30 miles.
How often does a tropical storm reach Grayson County, Texas?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 10.3 years — 12 storms over the 124 years from 1902 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby counties
Grayson County, Texas borders or sits close to 5 other counties with a published storm record. Collin County, Texas has 12 on record.