Natchez
Population 14,880 (2025)
21 tropical storms and hurricanes have passed within 50 miles of Natchez since 1851; the strongest at closest approach was an unnamed storm in 1909 (Category 1).
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 195084
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger39
- Major flood years since 1978, Adams County2
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 Adams 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 Adams County.
Strongest tornado
F4
January 23, 1969, 117.8 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
Cat. 1
Hurricane (unnamed), 1909, 19.8 miles away
Tornadoes
About one tornado a year since 1950, 9 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
January 23, 1969
F4, 117.8 mile path
200 yards wide; 32 killed along the whole path.
Most recent
Saturday, December 28, 2024
EF0, 4.9 mile path
2 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Dec 28, 2024 | EF0 | 4.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 28, 2024 | EF1 | 9.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 28, 2024 | EF1 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 14, 2022 | EF1 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 14, 2022 | EF1 | 5.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 17, 2021 | EF1 | 6.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF2 | 4.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 18, 2019 | EF1 | 8.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 1, 2018 | EF1 | 13.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 1, 2018 | EF2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 1, 2018 | EF1 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 1, 2018 | EF1 | 10.1 | 1 | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2017 | EF2 | 3.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 29, 2017 | EF1 | 2.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 20, 2013 | EF1 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 20, 2013 | EF2 | 1.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 21, 2013 | EF1 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 21, 2012 | EF1 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 27, 2009 | EF0 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 9, 2008 | EF1 | 10.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 9, 2008 | EF1 | 3.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 8, 2008 | EF0 | 4.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2007 | EF2 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2007 | EF2 | 7.3 | 0 | 0 |
| May 10, 2006 | F2 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 10, 2006 | F0 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 10, 2006 | F2 | 8.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 13, 2006 | F1 | 2.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Sep 25, 2005 | F0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 25, 2005 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 25, 2005 | F2 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2005 | F3 | 14.0 | 3 | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2005 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2005 | F0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2005 | F1 | 8.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2005 | F1 | 8.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2005 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 23, 2004 | F3 | 18.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2003 | F0 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2001 | F0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 22, 1999 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 22, 1999 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 23, 1997 | F1 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1995 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1995 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 7, 1995 | F1 | 1.0 | 5 | 0 |
| Mar 7, 1995 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 15, 1992 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | F2 | 16.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | F3 | 38.0 | 11 | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | F2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | F3 | 3.0 | 6 | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1992 | F1 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 29, 1991 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 21, 1990 | F3 | 18.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 9, 1990 | F1 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| May 12, 1990 | F2 | 19.0 | 4 | 0 |
| Nov 16, 1987 | F1 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 16, 1987 | F1 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 16, 1987 | F1 | 2.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Nov 16, 1987 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1987 | F1 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1987 | F1 | 5.0 | 4 | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1984 | F1 | 0.5 | 3 | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1983 | F2 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 12, 1982 | F3 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1981 | F2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1979 | F1 | 9.8 | 1 | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1976 | F2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | F3 | 31.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1975 | F1 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| May 7, 1975 | F1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 10, 1975 | F1 | 11.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 28, 1974 | F2 | 8.4 | 16 | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1973 | F0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 20, 1973 | F0 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1973 | F2 | 27.8 | 4 | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1969 | F3 | 29.1 | 2 | 0 |
| Jan 23, 1969 | F4 | 117.8 | 241 | 32 |
| Apr 28, 1954 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1953 | F2 | 96.7 | 0 | 0 |
| May 1, 1950 | F1 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 |
| May 1, 1950 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 1, 1950 | F1 | 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
21 passed within 50 miles since 1851; 2 at hurricane strength.
Strongest within 50 miles
September 21, 1909
Unnamed storm, Category 1
19.8 miles at closest approach, winds near 83 mph.
Most recent
September 12, 2024
Francine, Tropical storm
72.9 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
| Francine | 2024 | 72.9 | Tropical storm |
| Ida | 2021 | 28.8 | Tropical storm |
| Delta | 2020 | 35.7 | Tropical storm |
| Olga | 2019 | 73.5 | Post-tropical |
| Isaac | 2012 | 34.6 | Tropical storm |
| Lee | 2011 | 77.6 | Post-tropical |
| Gustav | 2008 | 79.5 | Tropical storm |
| Bill | 2003 | 98.3 | Tropical storm |
| Lili | 2002 | 45.8 | Tropical storm |
| Isidore | 2002 | 91.6 | Tropical storm |
| Andrew | 1992 | 15.5 | Tropical storm |
| Juan | 1985 | 91.1 | Tropical storm |
| Elena | 1985 | 5.0 | Tropical storm |
| Danny | 1985 | 44.8 | Tropical storm |
| Bob | 1979 | 75.6 | Tropical storm |
| Edith | 1971 | 42.7 | Tropical storm |
| Camille | 1969 | 91.8 | Category 1 |
| Betsy | 1965 | 35.8 | Tropical storm |
| Hilda | 1964 | 80.0 | Tropical storm |
| Audrey | 1957 | 80.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1955 | 84.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1949 | 49.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1947 | 68.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1934 | 17.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1932 | 11.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1926 | 63.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1923 | 22.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1920 | 44.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1915 | 85.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1912 | 76.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1909 | 19.8 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1905 | 18.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1898 | 44.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 99.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1890 | 52.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1888 | 23.3 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 33.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1879 | 73.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1879 | 57.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1863 | 85.2 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1860 | 34.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1856 | 27.2 | 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
No large wildfire has been mapped within 25 miles since satellite mapping began in 1984.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 50 days
Heavy smoke on 2 days in 2021, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
11.7 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
6 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 21 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
187 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, with $1.4 million paid.
Flood insurance figures are for Adams County, the county that contains Natchez.
Most claims in one year
1979: 55 claims
$396,000 paid.
2nd most
2011: 29 claims
$474,000 paid.
3rd most
1983: 21 claims
$197,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 39120 | 159 | $1.1 million |
| 39121 | 23 | $226,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood42
- Heavy Rain4
- Flood3
1 death 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 Adams County, the county that contains Natchez.
Most severe crest
May 19, 2011
Mississippi River at Natchez, 61.95 ft
13.95 feet above the 48.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
April 15, 2021
Mississippi River at Natchez, 52.78 ft
Moderate flooding.
River gauges
| Mississippi River at Natchez | 48.0 | 61.95 ft | 6 |
- 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 88 of 1,581 months since 1895 (6%); the longest spell lasted 12 months.
The drought index is for Adams County, the county that contains Natchez.
88
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
21
Months in extreme drought
6%
Share of all months, severe or worse
9
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
November 1924
−4.74, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
12 months
March 1963 to February 1964.
Latest month
September 2026
−2.80, moderate drought
Last severe month: April 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
No earthquake of magnitude 2.5 or more is recorded within 50 miles of the city centre in the USGS catalogue, which begins in 1900.
Severe weather and other events
453 events in the National Weather Service record for Adams County, 378 of them since 1996.
47
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
1
Hail, 2 inches or larger
171
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
20
Winter weather events since 1996
5
Heat events since 1996
2
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
April 6, 1983
2.75 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
December 9, 2008
90 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 2 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Aug 29, 2005Hurricane (Typhoon), Adams$100 million
National Weather Service narrative
Hurricane Katrina will likely go down as the worst and costliest natural disaster in United States history. The amount of destruction, the cost of damaged property/agriculture and the large loss of life across the affected region has been overwhelming. Catastrophic damage was widespread across a large portion of the Gulf Coast region. The devastation was not only confined to the coastal region, widespread and significant damage occurred well inland up to the Hattiesburg area and northward past Interstate 20. This hurricane has changed life as we know it across the Gulf Coast region which will take many years to return to normal.Hurricane Katrina was a very large and powerful storm…
- Feb 26, 1998Thunderstorm Wind$30.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
An intense line of thunderstorms or bow echo configuration moved across the Mississippi River and struck the city of Natchez. Strong outflow from the bow echo produced estimated winds of 80 to 100 miles an hour in the city. These strong winds damaged many of the historic buildings and peeled roofs off of many of the buildings. Numerous windows were broken out of buildings and debris was scattered over a three mile wide area. Four people were injured but none of the injuries were serious. Numerous trees were also blown down.
- Dec 9, 2008Tornado$2.5 million
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado track started just south of the city limits of Natchez, tracked northeast across the southeast side of the city, and then moved into unincorporated areas east of the city. Numerous hardwood and softwood trees were snapped and uprooted along the path. Around 50 homes were damaged, mostly from trees falling on them. Six commercial buildings were damaged, mainly roof damage. One power pole was snapped and power lines were down in several locations along the path. Maximum winds were around 110 mph.
- Sep 2, 2008Flash Flood$2.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
After a few rounds of moderate rains from Hurricane Gustav, a persistent band of heavy storms moved into Adams County and produced flash flooding across the area. This round of heavy rain added a quick 3 to 6 inches to an area that had received 4 to 6 from previous rains. Many roads were under water and mud slides occurred in the steeper terrain.||The heavy rain also caused crop damage as many crops were water logged or were damaged by flooded farm land.
- May 3, 2009Thunderstorm Wind$2.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Significant wind damage occurred across a large portion of Adams County. Winds were rated as high as 80 to 90 mph with a large bowing segment of a progressive derecho. Hundreds of trees and numerous power lines were downed across the county. According to Emergency Manager, 41 structures were damaged across the county. Structural damage was a mix of major to minor and were mostly damaged by fallen trees, but many were also damaged by the intense winds.
- Sep 1, 2008Tropical Storm, Adams$2.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Tropical storm force winds occurred across Adams County as the outer edges of Hurricane Gustav moved across southern Louisiana. Numerous trees and power lines were blown down. Tree damage was widespread across the county as wind gusts peaked between 50 and 60 mph for several hours. Many roads were blocked by downed trees and the power outages were extensive and lasted for several days. Sustained winds were around 40 mph.
- Aug 18, 2010Flash Flood$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Extreme heavy rain occurred across portions of southern Adams County as the remnants of TD5 slowly moved across the area. Rainfall totals between 5 and 10 inches fell across this area during the morning hours. Significant flash flooding occurred across the Sibley area. Many roads were flooded with several washed out with a bridge damaged along Bourke Road. Some homes and a few businesses were flooded and several mudslides occurred due to the extensive rainfall.
- Feb 11, 2010Heavy Snow, Adams$600,000
National Weather Service narrative
Up to 6 inches of snow was reported across portions of Adams County, with 6 inches reported in Natchez.
- Nov 1, 2018Tornado$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
This tornado developed along a line of severe thunderstorms that progressed from southwest to northeast across Adams County during the early morning hours. The tornadic damage was mainly seen between Highway 61 and Morgantown Road, along the north side of Natchez. Only a few shingles were removed from the majority of homes, however downed power lines, snapped utility poles and snapped trees bore strong characteristics of tornado damage. Additionally, it was the loss of over 50 percent of a roof of a single home that led to the EF-2 rating. Maximum estimated winds were 115 mph.
- Nov 1, 2018Tornado$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
This tornado developed along Robins Lake Rd. and moved northeastward across Deer Lake Rd., Timberlake Rd., Lower Woodville Rd., and Grove Acres Rd. before crossing US Highway 61. A large metal shed was heavily damaged as the tornado continued northeast and then through the Meadows subdivision and passed north of the Beau Pre Country Club before crossing Cherry Grove Plantation Road and ended just beyond Kingston Rd. Along the path, numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. About 3/4 of the roof of a home was removed along Robins Lake Rd. On Lower Woodville Rd., a mobile home was shifted off its foundation, had multiple windows broken, and had some walls removed with debris blown…
- 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 Natchez, 4.2 miles from the city centre, with records from 1892.
- All-time high
- 105°F5 times, most recently Aug 9, 1935
- All-time low
- 4°F2 times, most recently Jan 27, 1940
- Warmest night
- 87°FJul 9, 1995
- Coldest day
- 20°F2 times, most recently Dec 23, 1989
- Wettest day
- 10.51 inMay 1, 1954
- Snowiest day
- 9.5 inJan 23, 1940
- Hottest year
- 1911mean 69.8°F
- Coldest year
- 2014mean 62.3°F
- Wettest year
- 191984.67 in
- Driest year
- 192434.24 in
- Snowiest season
- 9.5 in1939-40
Median first snow
January 18
Earliest: December 8, 2017
Median last snow
January 23
Latest: March 22, 1968
66 of 82 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Natchez (USC00226177), 195 ft elevation, 4.2 miles from the city centre. Daily records from 1892 to October 28, 2026; 94.0% 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
27 since 1953. The most recent: Severe Winter Storm, February 6, 2026.
Declarations for Adams County.
| Feb 6, 2026 | Winter Storm | DR-4899-MS |
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3640-MS |
| Aug 12, 2023 | Severe Storm | DR-4727-MS |
| Oct 22, 2021 | Hurricane | DR-4626-MS |
| Aug 28, 2021 | Hurricane | EM-3569-MS |
| May 4, 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | DR-4598-MS |
| Oct 8, 2020 | Hurricane | EM-3548-MS |
| Sep 14, 2020 | Hurricane | EM-3544-MS |
| Aug 23, 2020 | Hurricane | EM-3539-MS |
| Apr 5, 2020 | Biological | DR-4528-MS |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3474-MS |
| May 22, 2017 | Severe Storm | DR-4314-MS |
| Aug 29, 2012 | Hurricane | DR-4081-MS |
| May 11, 2011 | Flood | DR-1983-MS |
| May 4, 2011 | Flood | EM-3320-MS |
| Sep 22, 2008 | Hurricane | DR-1794-MS |
| Aug 30, 2008 | Hurricane | EM-3291-MS |
| Aug 29, 2005 | Hurricane | DR-1604-MS |
| Sep 15, 2004 | Hurricane | DR-1550-MS |
| Mar 5, 1991 | Flood | DR-895-MS |
| Feb 28, 1990 | Severe Storm | DR-859-MS |
| Apr 19, 1980 | Severe Storm | DR-618-MS |
| Apr 16, 1979 | Severe Storm | DR-577-MS |
| Feb 22, 1977 | Snowstorm | EM-3032-MS |
| Apr 18, 1974 | Flood | DR-430-MS |
| Mar 27, 1973 | Severe Storm | DR-368-MS |
| Sep 25, 1965 | Hurricane | DR-210-MS |
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 USC00226177.
- 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.