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Suffolk city, Virginia
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 29 Sep 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
The NCEI record lists 388 events for Suffolk city, Virginia, between 1950 and 2026; damaging wind account for the largest share.
That is 97.2 events per 100 square miles, below the Virginia figure of 146.4, and 40.3 per 10,000 residents against 66.9 statewide.
10 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 1 death and 218 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $74M and crop damage at $32M.
FEMA has designated the county in 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Severe Winter Storm (emergency, 23 Jan 2026).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 234 claims since 1978, of which 166 were paid, totalling $5.2M (about $31K per paid claim). FEMA counts 762 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively Low" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively Low" ($25M a year across 18 hazards).
104 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 4 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with Virginia and the United States
| Measure | Suffolk city | Virginia | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 388 | 57,789 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 97.2 | 146.4 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 40.3 | 66.9 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 10 | 1,941 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 1 | 239 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $74M | $2.7B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 2.4 | 5.9 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $31K | $19K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 1.6 | 4.3 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 265 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 109 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Apr 2008 | Tornado | Tornado | EF3 | $30M | — | — | 200 | County |
| 8 Oct 2016 | Coastal Flood | Flood | — | $10K | — | 1 | — | Forecast zone |
| 3 Dec 2000 | Winter Storm | Winter | — | $50K | — | — | 6 | Forecast zone |
| 4 Jul 1967 | Tornado | Tornado | F3 | $25K | — | — | 5 | County |
| 18 Sep 2003 | Hurricane (Typhoon) | Tropical | — | $31M | $2.0M | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 15 Sep 1999 | Hurricane (Typhoon) | Tropical | — | $2.5M | $20M | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Aug 1999 | Lightning | Lightning | — | $10K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 8 Aug 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | $10K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 11 Nov 1995 | Tornado | Tornado | F0 | $100K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 17 Jul 2009 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 16 May 2010 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 27 Aug 2011 | Tropical Storm | Tropical | — | $1.0M | $4.6M | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 1 Sep 1997 | Drought | Drought | — | — | $4.8M | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 4 Aug 2020 | Tornado | Tornado | EF1 | $4.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Aug 1998 | Hurricane (Typhoon) | Tropical | — | $800K | $1.0M | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 8 Oct 2016 | Flood | Flood | — | $1.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 12 Nov 2009 | Coastal Flood | Flood | — | $500K | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 21 Sep 2016 | Flood | Flood | — | $360K | — | — | — | County |
| 11 May 2019 | Tornado | Tornado | EF1 | $350K | — | — | — | County |
| 30 Mar 1981 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $250K | — | — | — | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Jan 2026 | EM-3631 | Emergency | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 2 Apr 2020 | DR-4512 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3448 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 11 Sep 2018 | EM-3403 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence | Public assistance |
| 2 Nov 2016 | DR-4291 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Matthew | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 29 Oct 2012 | EM-3359 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Public assistance |
| 3 Sep 2011 | DR-4024 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Public assistance |
| 26 Aug 2011 | EM-3329 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Public assistance |
| 12 Sep 2005 | EM-3240 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Public assistance |
| 18 Sep 2003 | DR-1491 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Feb 2000 | DR-1318 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms | Public assistance |
| 18 Sep 1999 | DR-1293 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 16 Sep 1999 | EM-3147 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations | Public assistance |
| 4 Sep 1998 | DR-1242 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Bonnie | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 6 Sep 1996 | DR-1135 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Fran And Associated Severe Storm Cond | Individual assistance |
| 13 Jan 1996 | DR-1086 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Blizzard Of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) | Public assistance |
| 25 Mar 1993 | EM-3112 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 26 Jan 1977 | DR-525 | Major disaster | Freezing | Ice Conditions | Individual assistance |
| 23 Jun 1972 | DR-339 | Major disaster | Flood | Tropical Storm Agnes | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 1 | $23,009 | $23,009 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | $34,770 | $34,770 |
| 2021 | 2 | 2 | $14,059 | $7,030 |
| 2020 | 5 | 2 | $7,553 | $3,776 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | $31,191 | $31,191 |
| 2016 | 47 | 44 | $2,287,567 | $51,990 |
| 2015 | 5 | 3 | $53,862 | $17,954 |
| 2014 | 8 | 5 | $20,552 | $4,110 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2012 | 5 | 5 | $186,840 | $37,368 |
| 2011 | 12 | 11 | $356,980 | $32,453 |
| 2010 | 3 | 3 | $27,782 | $9,261 |
| 2009 | 28 | 22 | $678,804 | $30,855 |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2006 | 8 | 7 | $286,929 | $40,990 |
| 2005 | 2 | 1 | $931 | $931 |
| 2004 | 4 | 2 | $26,293 | $13,146 |
| 2003 | 33 | 16 | $594,935 | $37,183 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2000 | 1 | 1 | $9,038 | $9,038 |
| 1999 | 32 | 19 | $454,458 | $23,919 |
| 1998 | 6 | 3 | $51,835 | $17,278 |
| 1997 | 1 | 1 | $946 | $946 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $8,870,005 | |
| Hurricane | $6,675,457 | |
| Drought | $2,494,342 | |
| Tornado | $1,798,275 | |
| Heat wave | $1,190,016 | |
| Cold wave | $903,117 | |
| Strong wind | $896,695 | |
| Coastal flooding | $706,888 | |
| Winter weather | $523,027 | |
| Lightning | $446,421 | |
| Earthquake | $404,076 | |
| Hail | $290,654 | |
| Ice storm | $161,861 | |
| Wildfire | $77,781 | |
| Landslide | $661 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ophelia | 2023 | 55 mi | 46 mph |
| Claudette | 2021 | 49 mi | 46 mph |
| Elsa | 2021 | 43 mi | 52 mph |
| Isaias | 2020 | 70 mi | 69 mph |
| Nestor | 2019 | 21 mi | 46 mph |
| Michael | 2018 | 61 mi | 69 mph |
| Hermine | 2016 | 89 mi | 69 mph |
| Arthur | 2014 | 89 mi | 98 mph |
| Andrea | 2013 | 54 mi | 46 mph |
| Irene | 2011 | 52 mi | 75 mph |
| Hanna | 2008 | 76 mi | 52 mph |
| Gabrielle | 2007 | 67 mi | 46 mph |
| Alberto | 2006 | 96 mi | 40 mph |
| Ernesto | 2006 | 32 mi | 46 mph |
| Charley | 2004 | 43 mi | 46 mph |
| Gaston | 2004 | 35 mi | 40 mph |
| Isabel | 2003 | 59 mi | 75 mph |
| Kyle | 2002 | 99 mi | 46 mph |
| Helene | 2000 | 36 mi | 46 mph |
| Floyd | 1999 | 70 mi | 81 mph |
| Bonnie | 1998 | 74 mi | 86 mph |
| Earl | 1998 | 63 mi | 58 mph |
| Danny | 1997 | 21 mi | 46 mph |
| Bertha | 1996 | 20 mi | 69 mph |
| Josephine | 1996 | 60 mi | 52 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Suffolk city, VA?
NCEI records 45 hail events in Suffolk city since 1950, in 20 different years; that is about 0.6 recorded events a year. 5 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Suffolk city had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 22 tornadoes in Suffolk city since 1950, 4 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 0.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Suffolk city?
23 Jan 2026: Severe Winter Storm, a emergency declaration for winter storm. The county appears in 19 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Suffolk city, and how much was paid?
234 NFIP claims since 1978, 166 of them paid, for $5.2M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Suffolk city in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively Low" for overall risk, "Relatively Low" for expected annual loss, "Very Low" for social vulnerability and "Very High" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Suffolk city compare with the rest of Virginia?
97.2 recorded events per 100 square miles against 146.4 statewide, and 2.4 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 5.9. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 29 Sep 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 30 Sep 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.