Tazewell County, Virginia Tropical Cyclone History
Since 1920, 11 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Tazewell County, Virginia — about one every 9.6 years. Of those, 0 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Ida (2021), which passed 32 miles away on 1 September 2021.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
Key facts
- Most recentIda (2021) — 32 mi away, 1 September 2021
- Strongest stormHugo (1989) — 50 kt (58 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordGracie (1959) — 5.7 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)None on record
- Passes within 25 miles5 of 11
- Peak monthSeptember — 7 storms (64% of all)
- Most active year2004 — 2 storms
- Most active decade1950s and 2000s — 2 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi0
- Record span1920–2021
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 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 | 32.3 mi | TS / TD | 24 kt |
| Florence (2018) | 17 Sep 2018 | 44.8 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Ivan (2004) | 17 Sep 2004 | 37.2 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Frances (2004) | 8 Sep 2004 | 47.9 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Beryl (1994) | 17 Aug 1994 | 7.2 mi | TS / TD | 15 kt |
| Hugo (1989) | 22 Sep 1989 | 11.5 mi | TS / TD | 48 kt |
| Camille (1969) | 20 Aug 1969 | 25.4 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Gracie (1959) | 30 Sep 1959 | 5.7 mi | TS / TD | 32 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1952) | 28 Aug 1952 | 22.9 mi | TS / TD | 23 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1940) | 14 Aug 1940 | 15.7 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1920) | 24 Sep 1920 | 32.2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bertha (2020) | Post-tropical | 28 May 2020 | 25.6 mi | 20 kt |
| Bill (2003) | Post-tropical | 2 Jul 2003 | 33.1 mi | 20 kt |
| Eloise (1975) | Post-tropical | 24 Sep 1975 | 20.7 mi | 20 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1934) | Post-tropical | 18 Jun 1934 | 45.2 mi | 36 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1932) | Post-tropical | 18 Oct 1932 | 17.8 mi | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1905) | Post-tropical | 11 Oct 1905 | 27.6 mi | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1901) | Post-tropical | 28 Sep 1901 | 15.8 mi | 31 kt |
How Tazewell County, Virginia compares
Among the 2,208 U.S. counties and county-equivalents that have recorded at least one tropical cyclone within 50 miles, Tazewell County, Virginia ranks #1,229 — more exposed than 44.3% of them. Within Virginia it ranks #121 of 133, against a state average of 23.5 storms per county.
Notable storms
- TS / TD Hugo (1989) passed 12 miles away on 22 September 1989 as a tropical storm, reaching 50 kt (58 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Gracie (1959) passed 6 miles away on 30 September 1959 as a tropical storm, reaching 33 kt (38 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TD Ida (2021) passed 32 miles away on 1 September 2021 as a tropical depression, reaching 25 kt (29 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Florence (2018) passed 45 miles away on 17 September 2018 as a tropical depression, reaching 25 kt (29 mph) while within 50 miles.
11 of the 11 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 9.6 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 11 storms spread over the 106 years from 1920 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 1920 and 1940. It has been 4 years since the last one; 8 of the 9 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
Has a hurricane ever hit Tazewell County, Virginia?
No. No tropical cyclone on record has passed within 50 miles of Tazewell County, Virginia while at hurricane strength. 11 tropical cyclones have passed within that distance since 1920, all of them as tropical storms or depressions. The strongest was Hugo (1989).
When was the last tropical cyclone in Tazewell County, Virginia?
Ida (2021), on 1 September 2021, passing 32 miles away — 5 years ago. No storm on record has passed within 50 miles of Tazewell County, Virginia at hurricane strength.
What was the strongest storm to affect Tazewell County, Virginia?
Hugo (1989), which reached 50 kt (58 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 12 miles.
How often does a tropical storm reach Tazewell County, Virginia?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 9.6 years — 11 storms over the 106 years from 1920 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby counties
Tazewell County, Virginia borders or sits close to 4 other counties with a published storm record. Russell County, Virginia has 12 on record.