Douglas
Population 16,038 (2025)
4 tornadoes have tracked within 25 miles of Douglas since 1950, 0 of them rated EF3 or F3 or stronger; the most recent was on November 29, 2009.
Hazard fingerprint Each spoke is this county’s percentile among U.S. counties where that hazard occurs. How it is computed
- Tornado damage paths within 25 miles since 19504
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger1
- Wildfire burn scars within 25 miles since 198417
At a glance
Tornado paths within 25 miles, tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles and wildfire perimeters within 25 miles of the city centre. Storm events, flood insurance claims and disaster declarations are for Cochise County. Earthquakes within 50 miles, volcanoes within 100 miles and smoke days are measured from the city centre; river and tide gauges, tsunami and landslide records and the drought index are for Cochise County.
Strongest tornado
F1
July 28, 1966, 1.0 mile path
Tornadoes
About one every 19 years since 1950, none rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
July 28, 1966
F1, 1.0 mile path
167 yards wide.
Most recent
Sunday, November 29, 2009
EF0, 0.1 mile path
17 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Nov 29, 2009 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1974 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1966 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1963 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond this area.
- Weak tornadoes were under-recorded before Doppler radar coverage became national in the early 1990s, so earlier decades read low. Ratings use the Fujita scale before February 2007 and the Enhanced Fujita scale after.
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
1 tropical cyclone passed within 100 miles since 1851, none within 50.
Most recent
August 24, 1992
Lester, Tropical storm
70.0 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
| Lester | 1992 | 70.0 | Tropical storm |
- Tropical storms and hurricanes (34 kt or more, still tropical) at closest approach. Post-tropical remnants with gale-force winds are listed but not counted. Direct: track within 50 miles; near: within 100 miles. Distance is measured to the county boundary for counties and to the city centre for cities, using positions interpolated hourly between HURDAT2 fixes.
National Hurricane Center HURDAT2, 1851 to 2025.
Wildfire and smoke
17 large fires burned within 25 miles since 1984.
Largest
May 8, 2011
Horseshoe 2 Fire, 226,042 acres
23.2 miles from the city centre.
Most recent
July 24, 2018
Bruno Fire
4,162 acres in total.
Every large fire
| Bruno | 2018 | 11.6 | 4,162 |
| Judd | 2018 | 19.9 | 4,356 |
| Swisshelms | 2017 | 17.6 | 10,795 |
| Saddle | 2017 | 13.9 | 5,255 |
| College Peak | 2016 | 5.5 | 1,694 |
| Boss Ranch | 2016 | 15.2 | 1,207 |
| Horseshoe 2 | 2011 | 23.2 | 226,042 |
| Hog | 2009 | 24.0 | 18,085 |
| Buck | 2008 | 17.1 | 1,971 |
| Unnamed | 2003 | 24.3 | 38,998 |
| Swiss Helm | 1994 | 17.5 | 3,352 |
| Mule Ii | 1994 | 22.6 | 1,115 |
| Paul | 1989 | 8.0 | 1,386 |
| Swisshelm | 1989 | 16.7 | 8,449 |
| Saddle Gap | 1988 | 5.1 | 2,762 |
| Smithsouth | 1987 | 12.0 | 3,123 |
| Unnamed | 1987 | 21.6 | 1,221 |
- Large fires mapped by the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity program since 1984: 1,000 acres or more in the West, 500 or more in the East. Prescribed burns are excluded. Acres here are the part of each perimeter inside this place.
Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (USGS and U.S. Forest Service), 1984 to 2026.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2020: 17 days
Heavy smoke on 4 days in 2020, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
4.4 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
5 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 2 so far in 2026.
- A smoke day is a date on which a smoke plume traced by NOAA Hazard Mapping System analysts from satellite imagery covered this place's point (the county's population centre or the city centre). Counts here are of medium or heavy smoke. Since 2018 analysts have often drawn light smoke as one area over most of the continent, so light-smoke counts are not comparable from year to year. The plumes show smoke anywhere in the air above, not air quality at the ground, and smoke hidden by cloud is missed.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, 2011 to 2026, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Floods and flood insurance
115 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, with $641,000 paid.
Flood insurance figures are for Cochise County, the county that contains Douglas.
Most claims in one year
1983: 10 claims
$29,000 paid.
2nd most
1999: 10 claims
$59,000 paid.
3rd most
2014: 8 claims
$140,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 85643 | 24 | $58,000 |
| 85603 | 21 | $148,000 |
| 85615 | 14 | $61,000 |
| 85630 | 13 | $142,000 |
| 85635 | 11 | $37,000 |
| 85607 | 7 | $47,000 |
| 85616 | 7 | $32,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood245
- Flood15
- Heavy Rain8
13 deaths recorded in flood events since 1996.
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026. NOAA Storm Events through 2026.
River crests
River gauges in Cochise County, the county that contains Douglas.
Most severe crest
October 23, 2000
San Pedro River near Palominas, 18.88 ft
2.88 feet above the 16.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
July 31, 2006
San Pedro River near Palominas, 18.25 ft
Major flooding.
| Oct 23, 2000 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 18.88 | +2.88 |
| Jul 31, 2006 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 18.25 | +2.25 |
| Aug 14, 1940 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 16.45 | +0.45 |
| Oct 9, 1977 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 16.04 | +0.04 |
| Aug 7, 2000 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 15.10 | −0.90 |
| Oct 23, 2000 | San Pedro River near Tombstone | 13.53 | −1.47 |
| Jan 19, 1993 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 14.52 | −1.48 |
| Nov 12, 1994 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 14.21 | −1.79 |
| Dec 28, 1984 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 14.14 | −1.86 |
| Jan 18, 1979 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 13.88 | −2.12 |
| Aug 14, 1964 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 12.84 | −3.16 |
| Oct 2, 1983 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 12.69 | −3.31 |
| Aug 5, 1958 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 12.61 | −3.39 |
| Oct 9, 1977 | San Pedro River near Tombstone | 11.40 | −3.60 |
| Aug 3, 1996 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 12.22 | −3.78 |
| Oct 8, 1997 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 12.06 | −3.94 |
| Sep 11, 1988 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 11.93 | −4.07 |
| Aug 4, 2006 | San Pedro River near Tombstone | 10.70 | −4.30 |
| Jul 7, 1953 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 11.68 | −4.32 |
| Jul 20, 1974 | San Pedro River near Tombstone | 10.43 | −4.57 |
| Jul 30, 1974 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 11.37 | −4.63 |
| Jul 27, 1959 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 11.19 | −4.81 |
| Sep 14, 1975 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 11.03 | −4.97 |
| Aug 11, 1971 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 10.86 | −5.14 |
| Jul 27, 1963 | San Pedro River near Palominas | 10.70 | −5.30 |
River gauges
| San Pedro River near Palominas | 16.0 | 18.88 ft | 2 |
| San Pedro River near Tombstone | 15.0 | 13.53 ft | 0 |
- Crests are the highest and the recent crests the National Weather Service lists for each river gauge in the county that has a flood stage, not every flood. Flood categories use each gauge's current flood stages; crests from before levees, dams or channel changes may not be comparable. Crests measured on an old datum are left out of the rankings.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge records, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Drought
In severe drought or worse for 230 of 1,581 months since 1895 (15%); the longest spell lasted 17 months.
The drought index is for Cochise County, the county that contains Douglas.
230
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
46
Months in extreme drought
15%
Share of all months, severe or worse
250
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
August 2025
−5.44, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
17 months
March 2012 to July 2013.
Latest month
September 2026
−1.28, mild drought
Last severe month: August 2026.
- The Palmer Drought Severity Index is computed by NOAA each month from the county's average temperature and precipitation, relative to the county's own climate. Zero is normal; -3 or lower is severe drought and -4 or lower extreme drought. It describes the long-term balance of moisture, not water supply or crop losses.
NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, 1895 to September 2026, issued October 6, 2026.
Earthquakes and landslides
4 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or more within 50 miles since 1900; the largest was magnitude 4.6 in 1989.
13
Magnitude 3+ within 50 miles since 1973
4
Magnitude 4+ within 50 miles since 1900
0
Magnitude 5+ within 50 miles since 1900
Largest within 50 miles
May 25, 1989
Magnitude 4.6
22 km ESE of Fronteras, Mexico; 40.2 miles away, 3.1 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
August 16, 2026
Magnitude 4.0
41 km ESE of Agua Prieta, Mexico; 28.2 miles away.
Every earthquake of magnitude 4 or more within 50 miles
| Aug 16, 2026 | 4.0 | 28.2 |
| May 25, 1989 | 4.6 | 40.2 |
| Jun 11, 1988 | 4.5 | 44.9 |
| Jun 8, 1977 | 4.6 | 31.9 |
- Earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more in the USGS Comprehensive Catalog since 1900. Within 50 miles means the epicentre lies within 50 miles of the city centre.
- Small earthquakes were under-recorded before the modern seismic networks of the 1970s and are still missed in remote areas, so early decades read low. Magnitudes are as the catalogue reports them and mix scales (moment, local and body-wave).
USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog, 1900 to present, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Mapped landslides
Landslides mapped in Cochise County.
227
Landslides mapped, probable or better
165
With a recorded date
4
Source inventories
Mapped by AZ GS (213), USGS Post-Fire Debris Flows (10), NASA (3), USGS Conterminous (1).
- Landslides mapped in the USGS compilation of landslide inventories across the United States (version 3.0, 2025), rated probable or better. The compilation joins inventories made by federal and state agencies for different purposes and areas, so the number mapped in a county reflects how closely it has been surveyed as much as how often its slopes fail. An area with few records may simply not have been mapped. Deaths are as recorded in the inventories; a slide listed in two inventories is counted once.
USGS Landslide Inventories across the United States, version 3.0, retrieved October 27, 2026.
Severe weather and other events
1,306 events in the National Weather Service record for Cochise County, 1,239 of them since 1996.
69
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
2
Hail, 2 inches or larger
201
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
84
Winter weather events since 1996
101
Heat events since 1996
19
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
October 16, 1988
2.00 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
August 27, 1995
100 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 15 | 3 |
| Dust storms and dust devils | 53 | 2 |
| Dense fog and smoke | 5 | 0 |
| Debris flows | 1 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Jul 1, 2011Wildfire, Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca And Santa Rita Mountains$15.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
The Monument Fire was contained on July 7, after charring 30,526 acres (nearly 47 square miles). The fire destroyed 62 homes, four businesses, 18 outbuildings, and damaged seven homes. Nearly 10,000 people were evacuated from areas south of Sierra Vista at the peak of the fire.
- May 9, 2011Strong Wind, Upper San Pedro River Valley$11.2 million
National Weather Service narrative
Strong surface winds occurred in Sierra Vista. Homeland Security's aerostat, an anti-trafficking balloon, broke free from its tether and crashed into the Canyon de Flores neighborhood in Sierra Vista. Equipment from the aerostat was picked up from 39 different sites throughout the neighborhood. Minor damage was reported to a few vehicles and homes, as well as a damage to power lines south of Fort Huachuca. The aerostat, based at the fort since 1986, was a total loss and will be replaced.
- Aug 23, 2022Flash Flood$1.5 million
National Weather Service narrative
Heavy rain of 2-2.5 in less than 90 minutes northeast of town caused flash flooding in St. David, mainly southwest of State Route 80, although the highway was closed due to flooding for a period of time. A total of 53 homes sustained at least some flood damage. A homeowner with a basement reported flood water hit a depth of 6 feet, destroying a new furnace and damaging electrical wiring. Floodwaters also affected septic tanks and wells.
- Aug 24, 2022Flood$1.5 million
National Weather Service narrative
Rainfall of 2 at the headwaters of Rucker Creek traveled downstream and through and existing breach in a berm combined with rainfall in the immediate area, resulted in an exacerbation of flooding in Elfrida. Flood waters expanded west of Highway 191 and became deeper throughout most of the community. A total of 42 residences sustained at least some flood damage. Eleven sustained major damage and 3 were determined to be a total loss. A couple of businesses also sustained flood damage and floodwaters also affected septic tanks and wells.
- Aug 24, 2010Thunderstorm Wind$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
The Benson News-Sun and a local city official reported extensive damage to much of the city of Benson from thunderstorm activity. The city official reported numerous mature and young trees uprooted, street signs bent or pulled completely out of the ground, damage to dwellings from uprooted trees, small sheds and car ports were lifted and thrown 50-75 feet, and shingle damage to numerous homes. Also, property fences were knocked over, camper trailers were turned over, and numerous power outages. The newspaper added that one particular insurance provider received 40 claims from residents, mostly related to roof damage. Additional information from the newspaper stated that at least…
- Jul 10, 2011Flash Flood$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Very heavy rainfall (1.5 to 3 inches) occurred over the Monument Fire Burn area in the Huachuca Mountains resulting in significant flash flooding and damage to areas in Ash, Miller and Carr Canyons, as well as along Highway 92. Heavy rain fell only over the Ash, Miller, and Carr Canyons, but due to the burn scars, water quickly flowed down the mountain to areas that received little or no rain. Boulders, trees, mud, and propane tanks were carried by the flood waters. At least a dozen homes were damaged with most having significant structural damage. A propane tank crashed through one home's wall and into the living room leaking liquid propane. Other homes had all their lawn…
- Feb 2, 2011Frost/Freeze, Upper San Pedro River Valley$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Several communities across the Upper San Pedro River Valley suffered from frozen and burst water pipes as temperatures dropped into the single digits to low teens. In addition, 4500 Sierra Vista Southwest Gas customers lost their natural gas flow. Most of the damage was at Fort Huachuca where over 400 homes suffered from broken water pipes with more than 100 homes sustaining damage. About 40 outpost buildings had ceilings collapse due to broken water pipes. Sierra Vista Fire Department also responded to several fire calls related to space heaters and candles.||In Benson, the city received over 100 calls regarding burst water pipes. The San Pedro Terrace Apartments on Pearl Street…
- Dec 7, 2009High Wind, Cochise County$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Widespread damaging winds occurred across Cochise County during the overnight hours. Law enforcement reported winds blew out windows of some businesses in Sierra Vista. Wind gusts near 70 mph blew portions of a roof off a warehouse in Sierra Vista, with the debris striking nearby power lines and causing power disruptions. Roof damage was also reported at a motel in Sierra Vista, with about half of the roof removed. Debris from the roof landed in a nearby parking lot, damaging several cars. High winds damaged a large sign at a restaurant, with numerous traffic signs receiving damage throughout the Sierra Vista area. Several reports of fallen trees and broken limbs were received,…
- Jun 1, 2011Wildfire, Chiricahua Mountains$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
The Horseshoe 2 fire continued to burn through much of the month of June as extremely dry conditions and fuels, and strong winds aided in the fire's growth. As the fire continued to grow to the northwest, the communities of Cave Creek Canyon, Paradise, Whitetail Canyon, West Turkey Creek, and West Pinery Canyon were evacuated. Crews were put in place to protect the communities, but some structures were lost. In all, 9 homes and 14 outbuildings burned, including the historic Barfoot fire lookout. Chiricahua National Monument in the northern portion of the fire was closed on June 3 and remained closed through the summer. ||One firefighter was injured when he and another lookout were…
- Jun 20, 2017Wildfire, Upper San Pedro River Valley$750,000
National Weather Service narrative
The lightning caused Encino Fire ignited on June 20th south of Sonoita and spread rapidly north due to thunderstorm outflow winds. At least five homes and 30 power poles were destroyed by the fire. Many residents of Sonoita were evacuated and State Routes 82 and 83 were both closed temporarily. A firefighter was injured when he broke his ankle. The fire was fully contained by June 25th after burning 1289 acres.
- Storm Events records before 1996 cover only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail. Damage figures are as reported by the National Weather Service at the time, not adjusted for inflation.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1950 to 2026, issued October 26, 2026.
Weather records
From Douglas (bisbee) International Airport, 5.6 miles from the city centre, with records from 1948.
- All-time high
- 110°FJun 26, 1994
- All-time low
- −4°FDec 8, 1978
- Warmest night
- 83°FAug 18, 2020
- Coldest day
- 26°FFeb 3, 2011
- Wettest day
- 2.50 inJul 19, 1950
- Snowiest day
- 5.0 inNov 16, 1958
- Hottest year
- 2000mean 64.6°F
- Coldest year
- 1964mean 60.0°F
- Wettest year
- 198321.01 in
- Driest year
- 19564.18 in
- Snowiest season
- 8.0 in1948-49
Median first snow
January 1
Earliest: November 13, 1976
Median last snow
February 9
Latest: April 12, 1967
26 of 52 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Douglas (bisbee) International Airport (USW00093026), 4,094 ft elevation, 5.6 miles from the city centre. Daily records from 1948 to October 26, 2026; 90.9% of days in the last 30 years are complete. Records at a single station can differ from a city’s official threaded record, which may combine several stations.
NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily.
Federal disaster declarations
14 since 1953. The most recent: Covid-19 Pandemic, April 4, 2020.
Declarations for Cochise County.
| Apr 4, 2020 | Biological | DR-4524-AZ |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3442-AZ |
| Jun 11, 2017 | Fire | FM-5183-AZ |
| Jun 12, 2011 | Fire | FM-2919-AZ |
| May 9, 2011 | Fire | FM-2907-AZ |
| May 18, 2009 | Fire | FM-2821-AZ |
| Sep 12, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3241-AZ |
| Jun 21, 2003 | Fire | FM-2471-AZ |
| Oct 27, 2000 | Severe Storm | DR-1347-AZ |
| Oct 15, 1999 | Severe Storm | DR-1304-AZ |
| Jan 19, 1993 | Flood | DR-977-AZ |
| Oct 5, 1983 | Flood | DR-691-AZ |
| Apr 15, 1977 | Drought | EM-3038-AZ |
| Sep 22, 1970 | Flood | DR-294-AZ |
This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved October 30, 2026. Statewide declarations are not listed.
Sources and vintage
Every number on this page comes from these public records.
- Tornadoes NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, through 2025.
- Tropical cyclones NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 (Atlantic; Northeast and Central Pacific), through 2025.
- Wildfire USGS/USFS Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity, through 2026.
- Storm events NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, through 2026.
- Flood insurance OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026.
- Declarations OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Weather records NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily, station USW00093026.
- River crests NOAA National Weather Service, National Water Prediction Service river gauges, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Drought NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, through September 2026.
- Smoke NOAA NESDIS Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Landslides USGS Landslide Inventories across the United States, version 3.0 (2025).
- Earthquakes USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), retrieved October 30, 2026.
Joins, thresholds and known limits are set out in the methodology. Found an error? Report it. Page built October 30, 2026.