Russell County, Virginia Tropical Cyclone History
Since 1928, 12 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Russell County, Virginia — about one every 8.2 years. Of those, 0 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Ida (2021), which passed 30 miles away on 1 September 2021.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
Key facts
- Most recentIda (2021) — 30 mi away, 1 September 2021
- Strongest stormHugo (1989) — 52 kt (60 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordUnnamed Storm (1940) — 3.9 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)None on record
- Passes within 25 miles5 of 12
- Peak monthSeptember — 6 storms (50% of all)
- Most active year2004 — 2 storms
- Most active decade1950s, 1960s and 2000s — 2 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi0
- Record span1928–2021
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ida (2021) | 1 Sep 2021 | 30.5 mi | TS / TD | 23 kt |
| Florence (2018) | 17 Sep 2018 | 20.3 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Ivan (2004) | 17 Sep 2004 | 39.0 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Frances (2004) | 8 Sep 2004 | 29.1 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Beryl (1994) | 17 Aug 1994 | 14.4 mi | TS / TD | 15 kt |
| Hugo (1989) | 22 Sep 1989 | 23.1 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Camille (1969) | 20 Aug 1969 | 40.7 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Abby (1968) | 9 Jun 1968 | 46.7 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Gracie (1959) | 30 Sep 1959 | 25.3 mi | TS / TD | 32 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1952) | 28 Aug 1952 | 12.9 mi | TS / TD | 23 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1940) | 14 Aug 1940 | 3.9 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1928) | 16 Aug 1928 | 40.4 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
A further 7 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.
| Storm | Status | Closest approach | Distance | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred (2021) | Remnant low | 18 Aug 2021 | 37.0 mi | 22 kt |
| Bill (2003) | Post-tropical | 2 Jul 2003 | 30.4 mi | 20 kt |
| Eloise (1975) | Post-tropical | 24 Sep 1975 | 16.6 mi | 20 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1934) | Post-tropical | 18 Jun 1934 | 44.0 mi | 34 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1932) | Post-tropical | 18 Oct 1932 | 10.8 mi | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1905) | Post-tropical | 11 Oct 1905 | 27.0 mi | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1901) | Post-tropical | 28 Sep 1901 | 14.7 mi | 32 kt |
How Russell County, Virginia compares
Among the 2,208 U.S. counties and county-equivalents that have recorded at least one tropical cyclone within 50 miles, Russell County, Virginia ranks #1,177 — more exposed than 46.7% of them. Within Virginia it ranks #115 of 133, against a state average of 23.5 storms per county.
Notable storms
- TS / TD Hugo (1989) passed 23 miles away on 22 September 1989 as a tropical storm, reaching 52 kt (60 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Gracie (1959) passed 25 miles away on 30 September 1959 as a tropical storm, reaching 33 kt (38 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Florence (2018) passed 20 miles away on 17 September 2018 as a tropical depression, reaching 25 kt (29 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Frances (2004) passed 29 miles away on 8 September 2004 as a tropical depression, reaching 25 kt (29 mph) while within 50 miles.
12 of the 12 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 8.2 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 12 storms spread over the 98 years from 1928 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 20 years, between 1969 and 1989. It has been 4 years since the last one; 8 of the 10 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
Has a hurricane ever hit Russell County, Virginia?
No. No tropical cyclone on record has passed within 50 miles of Russell County, Virginia while at hurricane strength. 12 tropical cyclones have passed within that distance since 1928, all of them as tropical storms or depressions. The strongest was Hugo (1989).
When was the last tropical cyclone in Russell County, Virginia?
Ida (2021), on 1 September 2021, passing 30 miles away — 5 years ago. No storm on record has passed within 50 miles of Russell County, Virginia at hurricane strength.
What was the strongest storm to affect Russell County, Virginia?
Hugo (1989), which reached 52 kt (60 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 23 miles.
How often does a tropical storm reach Russell County, Virginia?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 8.2 years — 12 storms over the 98 years from 1928 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby counties
Russell County, Virginia borders or sits close to 7 other counties with a published storm record. Bristol city, Virginia has 12 on record.