Green Cove Springs
Population 10,079 (2025)
45 tropical storms and hurricanes have passed within 50 miles of Green Cove Springs since 1851; the strongest at closest approach was David in 1979 (Category 2).
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 1950137
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger105
- Wildfire burn scars within 25 miles since 198415
- Major flood years since 1978, Clay County5
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 Clay 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 Clay County.
Strongest tornado
F3
February 7, 1971, 13.1 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
Cat. 2
Hurricane David, 1979, 47.8 miles away
Tornadoes
About 2 tornados a year since 1950, 2 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
February 7, 1971
F3, 13.1 mile path
200 yards wide.
Deadliest
December 5, 1977
1 killed, F2
10 injured along the whole path.
Most recent
Thursday, May 29, 2025
EF0, 1.6 mile path
Within the past year.
Every recorded tornado
| May 29, 2025 | EF0 | 1.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2024 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2024 | EF1 | 1.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2024 | EF1 | 6.7 | 1 | 0 |
| Apr 3, 2024 | EF0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 4, 2024 | EF0 | 1.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 4, 2024 | EF1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 4, 2024 | EF1 | 1.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 26, 2023 | EF0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 26, 2023 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 11, 2023 | EF0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2021 | EF1 | 3.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 14, 2021 | EF0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2020 | EF1 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2020 | EF1 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 24, 2020 | EF1 | 4.1 | 2 | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2020 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 14, 2019 | EF0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 10, 2018 | EF0 | 16.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2018 | EF0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2017 | EF1 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2017 | EF1 | 1.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF1 | 1.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2016 | EF1 | 3.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 10, 2015 | EF0 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2015 | EF1 | 3.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2013 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 4, 2013 | EF0 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 10, 2011 | EF1 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2010 | EF0 | 3.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 21, 2010 | EF1 | 9.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 26, 2009 | EF0 | 7.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 11, 2008 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2008 | EF0 | 3.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 22, 2008 | EF0 | 1.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 22, 2008 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 22, 2008 | EF0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 22, 2008 | EF0 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2007 | EF0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2005 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 26, 2004 | F0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 26, 2004 | F0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 26, 2004 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 26, 2004 | F0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 7, 2004 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 7, 2004 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 7, 2004 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2004 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2004 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2004 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2004 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2004 | F0 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2004 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2004 | F0 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2004 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2002 | F0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2001 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 1 |
| Mar 29, 2001 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 29, 2001 | F2 | 12.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2000 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2000 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 2, 1999 | F0 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1996 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1996 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1996 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 2, 1996 | F0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 2, 1996 | F2 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 2, 1996 | F0 | 6.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Sep 14, 1995 | F0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1995 | F0 | 8.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1995 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1995 | F2 | 10.0 | 5 | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1994 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 3, 1994 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 18, 1993 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1992 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1990 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1989 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 4, 1988 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1988 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1988 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1986 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 27, 1984 | F2 | 3.0 | 2 | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1983 | F1 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1982 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1981 | F1 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 13, 1980 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1980 | F1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Mar 10, 1980 | F1 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 10, 1980 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 24, 1980 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1979 | F0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1978 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1978 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 4, 1978 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| May 4, 1978 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 3, 1978 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 19, 1978 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 5, 1977 | F2 | 9.4 | 10 | 1 |
| Jun 20, 1977 | F1 | 2.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1976 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1976 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 25, 1975 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 18, 1975 | F2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 6, 1975 | F1 | 20.7 | 1 | 0 |
| May 12, 1974 | F2 | 4.3 | 2 | 0 |
| May 12, 1974 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 12, 1974 | F2 | 17.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1973 | F2 | 39.0 | 4 | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1972 | F1 | 0.3 | 4 | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1972 | F1 | 3.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1972 | F1 | 6.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1972 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 22, 1972 | F2 | 0.3 | 4 | 0 |
| Feb 7, 1971 | F3 | 13.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 7, 1971 | F2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1969 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1968 | F1 | 9.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 22, 1967 | F2 | 17.4 | 2 | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1966 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 23, 1962 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1961 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1961 | F2 | 5.1 | 2 | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1960 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1960 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1960 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1959 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1958 | F3 | 3.6 | 9 | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1957 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1957 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1957 | F2 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1957 | F2 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1957 | F2 | 6.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1953 | F1 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1953 | F1 | 1.0 | 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
45 passed within 50 miles since 1851; 10 at hurricane strength.
Strongest within 50 miles
September 4, 1979
David, Category 2
47.8 miles at closest approach, winds near 98 mph.
Most recent
August 6, 2024
Debby, Tropical storm
67.3 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
| Debby | 2024 | 67.3 | Tropical storm |
| Idalia | 2023 | 94.7 | Category 1 |
| Nicole | 2022 | 95.7 | Tropical storm |
| Eta | 2020 | 25.4 | Tropical storm |
| Irma | 2017 | 66.6 | Tropical storm |
| Matthew | 2016 | 60.3 | Category 3 |
| Julia | 2016 | 7.6 | Tropical storm |
| Colin | 2016 | 55.3 | Tropical storm |
| Andrea | 2013 | 55.0 | Tropical storm |
| Beryl | 2012 | 14.9 | Tropical storm |
| Fay | 2008 | 36.0 | Tropical storm |
| Ernesto | 2006 | 86.0 | Tropical storm |
| Tammy | 2005 | 28.0 | Tropical storm |
| Jeanne | 2004 | 77.2 | Tropical storm |
| Charley | 2004 | 47.3 | Category 1 |
| Kyle | 2002 | 70.3 | Tropical storm |
| Gabrielle | 2001 | 97.2 | Tropical storm |
| Gordon | 2000 | 64.6 | Tropical storm |
| Josephine | 1996 | 73.2 | Post-tropical |
| Chris | 1988 | 66.1 | Tropical storm |
| Isabel | 1985 | 43.3 | Tropical storm |
| Bob | 1985 | 73.3 | Tropical storm |
| Isidore | 1984 | 15.1 | Tropical storm |
| Diana | 1984 | 79.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1982 | 9.0 | Subtropical storm |
| Dennis | 1981 | 53.0 | Tropical storm |
| David | 1979 | 47.8 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1976 | 68.4 | Subtropical storm |
| Alpha | 1972 | 52.9 | Subtropical storm |
| Gladys | 1968 | 28.7 | Category 1 |
| Dolly | 1968 | 83.6 | Tropical storm |
| Brenda | 1968 | 49.2 | Tropical storm |
| Abby | 1968 | 25.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1965 | 49.6 | Tropical storm |
| Hilda | 1964 | 70.5 | Post-tropical |
| Dora | 1964 | 2.7 | Category 1 |
| Cleo | 1964 | 22.8 | Tropical storm |
| Donna | 1960 | 45.3 | Category 1 |
| Brenda | 1960 | 71.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1959 | 92.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1956 | 77.3 | Tropical storm |
| Love | 1950 | 81.0 | Tropical storm |
| King | 1950 | 37.3 | Category 1 |
| Easy | 1950 | 9.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1949 | 71.2 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1947 | 56.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1947 | 40.0 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1946 | 33.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1945 | 17.4 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1945 | 37.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1944 | 3.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1937 | 45.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1937 | 55.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1936 | 44.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1935 | 98.0 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1933 | 91.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1932 | 60.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1928 | 4.1 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1926 | 14.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1924 | 96.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1921 | 79.3 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1920 | 35.2 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1919 | 86.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1916 | 10.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1915 | 1.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1914 | 45.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1912 | 90.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1910 | 13.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1909 | 77.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1907 | 95.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1906 | 16.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1900 | 28.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1899 | 57.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1898 | 61.3 | Category 4 |
| Unnamed | 1897 | 75.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1896 | 51.2 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1894 | 34.9 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 58.9 | Category 3 |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 62.7 | Category 3 |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 78.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1889 | 5.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1888 | 17.6 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1888 | 69.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1887 | 64.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 9.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 74.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 64.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 83.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 57.0 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1884 | 76.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1882 | 61.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1880 | 20.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1880 | 54.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1879 | 27.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1878 | 82.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1878 | 21.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 26.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 80.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1874 | 24.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1873 | 52.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1873 | 58.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1872 | 96.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1871 | 16.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1871 | 80.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1871 | 42.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1868 | 79.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1867 | 10.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1867 | 96.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1858 | 90.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1854 | 70.3 | Category 3 |
| Unnamed | 1853 | 61.6 | Category 2 |
- 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
15 large fires burned within 25 miles since 1984.
Largest
May 8, 2007
Unnamed Fire, 13,803 acres
22.1 miles from the city centre.
Most recent
May 17, 2021
Oscar Ashton Road Fire
773 acres in total.
Every large fire
| Oscar Ashton Road | 2021 | 10.6 | 773 |
| 03-16 Cecil Wf | 2016 | 17.9 | 1,315 |
| Normandy | 2010 | 23.9 | 2,051 |
| Unnamed | 2007 | 22.1 | 13,803 |
| Unnamed | 2007 | 10.7 | 1,092 |
| Unnamed | 1998 | 23.1 | 7,340 |
| Unnamed | 1998 | 4.7 | 2,202 |
| Unnamed | 1998 | 7.8 | 2,317 |
| Unnamed | 1998 | 4.2 | 1,331 |
| Unnamed | 1998 | 17.2 | 913 |
| Unnamed | 1998 | 22.1 | 4,844 |
| Unnamed | 1998 | 22.1 | 1,098 |
| Unnamed | 1991 | 19.2 | 1,265 |
| Unnamed | 1989 | 18.8 | 587 |
| Unnamed | 1987 | 15.7 | 1,458 |
- 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
2011: 21 days
Heavy smoke on 2 days in 2021, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
4.3 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
4 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 8 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
1,744 federal flood insurance claims since 1979, with $76.3 million paid.
Flood insurance figures are for Clay County, the county that contains Green Cove Springs.
Most claims in one year
2017: 793 claims
$61.2 million paid.
2nd most
2012: 190 claims
$4.7 million paid.
3rd most
2004: 119 claims
$1.5 million paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 32068 | 816 | $40.0 million |
| 32003 | 334 | $16.7 million |
| 32073 | 272 | $10.2 million |
| 32043 | 195 | $6.1 million |
| 32065 | 118 | $3.2 million |
Flood events since 1996
- Heavy Rain88
- Flood23
- Flash Flood5
- Coastal Flood3
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 Clay County, the county that contains Green Cove Springs.
Most severe crest
September 12, 2017
Black Creek at Middleburg, 30.52 ft
15.52 feet above the 15.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
October 9, 2026
St. Johns River at Buckman Bridge (I-295) (in MHHW), 2.16 ft
Moderate flooding.
River gauges
| Black Creek (in MHHW) | 1.8 | 1.92 ft | 0 |
| Black Creek at Middleburg | 15.0 | 30.52 ft | 9 |
| North Fork Black Creek near Middleburg | 15.0 | 27.89 ft | 23 |
| South Fork Black Creek near Penney Farms | 14.5 | 29.36 ft | 17 |
| St. Johns River at Buckman Bridge (I-295) (in MHHW) | 1.5 | 5.20 ft | 7 |
| St. Johns River at Shands Bridge | 2.0 | 3.66 ft | 1 |
- 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 150 of 1,581 months since 1895 (9%); the longest spell lasted 29 months.
The drought index is for Clay County, the county that contains Green Cove Springs.
150
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
55
Months in extreme drought
9%
Share of all months, severe or worse
14
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
February 1932
−5.40, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
29 months
February 1999 to June 2001.
Latest month
September 2026
−5.07, extreme drought
- 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
1 earthquake of magnitude 2.5 or more within 50 miles since 1900; none reached magnitude 4.
0
Magnitude 3+ within 50 miles since 1973
0
Magnitude 4+ within 50 miles since 1900
0
Magnitude 5+ within 50 miles since 1900
Largest within 50 miles
October 31, 1900
Magnitude 3.5
Near Jacksonville, Florida; 28.7 miles away.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
October 31, 1900
Magnitude 3.5
Near Jacksonville, Florida; 28.7 miles away.
- 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.
Severe weather and other events
659 events in the National Weather Service record for Clay County, 573 of them since 1996.
60
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
2
Hail, 2 inches or larger
198
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
4
Winter weather events since 1996
0
Heat events since 1996
0
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
July 26, 2000
2.00 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
May 28, 1962
90 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 23 | 1 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Mar 29, 2001Tornado$1.1 million
National Weather Service narrative
Tornado was mainly F0-F1. Large trees were uprooted and power lines were blown down. Two homes were destroyed, 4 with major damage, and 50 with minor damage. A total of 56 homes in the Highlands Avenue area were damaged.
- Jun 9, 2018Lightning$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
A 67 year old male was struck by lightning on his front porch along Acadia Street in Keystone Heights, near Lake Geneva. The time of the event was based on lightning data. Shed was burned down which caused over $1M in damage to vintage cars and motorcycles.
- Mar 1, 1998Flood, Clay$370,000
National Weather Service narrative
Total flooding related to El Nino, More than 2800 homes and more than 175 businesses destroyed.
- May 1, 2026Wildfire, Eastern Clay$250,000
National Weather Service narrative
On April 19, 2026 around 530 PM EDT, Clay County EM reported a 100 acre wildfire in Green Cove Springs which grew quickly to become the Crews Rd Fire. On April 21st, the Florida Forest Service decided to combine the Crews Rd Fire in southeast Clay County and the Railroad Fire in northeast Putnam County into the Railroad Complex Fire. On May 1st, the Railroad Complex fire was at 4,796 acres with 80% containment per the Florida Forest Service. On May 6th, the fire was 4,796 acres and 95% containment. On April 29th, the fire was 4,796 acres with 100% containment. The Railroad Complex Fire was officially closed on June 3rd.
- Apr 19, 2026Wildfire, Eastern Clay$250,000
National Weather Service narrative
On April 19, 2026 around 530 PM EDT, Clay County EM reported a 100 acre wildfire in Green Cove Springs with 0% containment. Evacuations occurred at Varney Rd and Woodward Rd due to the wildfires located along Crews Rd in Clay County and north of Bostwick in Putnam County. The wildfires were 1700 acres combined between the two counties. On April 20 at 6 PM EDT, Florida Highway Patrol reported a Road Closure of US-17 and Varney Rd due to the ongoing Wildfire in Green Cove Springs. US-17 reopened later that evening. On April 21st, the Florida Forest Service decided to combine the Crews Rd Fire in southeast Clay County and the Railroad Fire in northeast Putnam County into the Railroad…
- Jul 31, 2023Lightning$240,000
National Weather Service narrative
Lightning struck a home attic in Orange Park during the afternoon which resulted in a fire. Extensive damage occurred to the home and the structure was deemed uninhabitable. The cost of damage was unknown, but it was estimated for inclusion of the event in Storm Data.
- Jun 10, 2003Thunderstorm Wind$60,000
National Weather Service narrative
Large tree through roof of house on Lakefield Lane in Plainfield section of Orange Park. Live oak snapped in half on Dogwood Lane near Doctors Lake. Source Clay Today 6/11/03.
- Aug 12, 2011Lightning$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
Lightning started a house fire off of Trail Ridge Road in the Two Creeks Subdivision. The time of the strike was unknown, but the most frequent lightning that impacted the area occurred between 0530 pm and 7 pm LST. The cost of damage was estimated.
- Jun 26, 2012Flash Flood$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
At 6:45 pm, an NWS employee reported 1 foot of standing water over the I-295 and Blanding Blvd exit in Orange Park. At 6:46 pm, the public reported street flooding near Whitey's Fish Camp, about 2 feet deep. At 7:08 pm, the public reported around 1 foot of standing water near Blanding Blvd and Tanglewood in the Lakeside area. At 7:15 pm, the public reported over a foot of standing water at Timbermill Lane and Timberlake Drive. Water was over-flowing out of the storm drain. At 8:20 pm, the public reported flood water coming up to home porches near Bradford and Old Kings Road on the Jacksonville Southside. At 8:30 pm, the public reported a retention pond overflowed and water was…
- Oct 7, 1996Flash Flood$50,000
National Weather Service narrative
A steady rain producing 6-8 inches of rainfall from a Nor'easter and Tropical Storm Josephine caused flooding mainly over central Clay County in the Middleburg area. The rain brought both the North and South prongs of Black Creek several feet above its banks. The water flooded Main Street, Scenic Drive, Cornell Road and Lazy Acre Road. About a dozen families left their homes to seek shelter with friends, relatives or hotels. A few roads did wash out. A creek near Bluejay drive, off County Road 218, overflowed and washed the road out.
- 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 Jacksonville NAS, 17.2 miles from the city centre, with records from 1945.
- All-time high
- 104°FJun 19, 1998
- All-time low
- 9°FJan 21, 1985
- Warmest night
- 84°FAug 24, 2016
- Coldest day
- 31°FDec 25, 1983
- Wettest day
- 6.28 inMay 20, 1959
- Snowiest day
- 0.9 inDec 23, 1989
- Hottest year
- 2015mean 75.6°F
- Coldest year
- 1981mean 66.5°F
- Wettest year
- 199172.20 in
- Driest year
- 199024.77 in
Station Jacksonville NAS (USW00093837), 20 ft elevation, 17.2 miles from the city centre. Daily records from 1945 to October 26, 2026; 89.9% 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
39 since 1953. The most recent: Railroad Complex Fire, April 22, 2026.
Declarations for Clay County.
| Apr 22, 2026 | Fire | FM-5631-FL |
| Oct 11, 2024 | Hurricane | DR-4834-FL |
| Oct 7, 2024 | Hurricane | EM-3622-FL |
| Sep 28, 2024 | Hurricane | DR-4828-FL |
| Aug 10, 2024 | Tropical Storm | DR-4806-FL |
| Aug 3, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3605-FL |
| Aug 31, 2023 | Hurricane | DR-4734-FL |
| Aug 28, 2023 | Tropical Storm | EM-3596-FL |
| Dec 13, 2022 | Hurricane | DR-4680-FL |
| Nov 8, 2022 | Tropical Storm | EM-3587-FL |
| Sep 29, 2022 | Hurricane | DR-4673-FL |
| Sep 24, 2022 | Hurricane | EM-3584-FL |
| Jul 4, 2021 | Severe Storm | EM-3561-FL |
| Aug 1, 2020 | Hurricane | EM-3533-FL |
| Mar 25, 2020 | Biological | DR-4486-FL |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3432-FL |
| Aug 30, 2019 | Hurricane | EM-3419-FL |
| Sep 10, 2017 | Hurricane | DR-4337-FL |
| Sep 5, 2017 | Hurricane | EM-3385-FL |
| Oct 8, 2016 | Hurricane | DR-4283-FL |
| Oct 6, 2016 | Hurricane | EM-3377-FL |
| Jul 3, 2012 | Severe Storm | DR-4068-FL |
| May 27, 2009 | Severe Storm | DR-1840-FL |
| Aug 24, 2008 | Severe Storm | DR-1785-FL |
| Aug 21, 2008 | Severe Storm | EM-3288-FL |
| May 7, 2007 | Fire | FM-2689-FL |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3220-FL |
| Sep 26, 2004 | Hurricane | DR-1561-FL |
| Sep 16, 2004 | Hurricane | DR-1551-FL |
| Sep 4, 2004 | Hurricane | DR-1545-FL |
| Aug 13, 2004 | Hurricane | DR-1539-FL |
| Feb 5, 2001 | Freezing | DR-1359-FL |
| Jun 2, 2000 | Fire | FM-2305-FL |
| May 14, 1999 | Fire | FM-2262-FL |
| Apr 27, 1999 | Fire | EM-3139-FL |
| Jun 18, 1998 | Fire | DR-1223-FL |
| Jan 6, 1998 | Severe Storm | DR-1195-FL |
| Oct 15, 1996 | Severe Storm | DR-1141-FL |
| Oct 8, 1992 | Severe Storm | DR-966-FL |
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 USW00093837.
- 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.
- 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.