Weakley County
Population 33,261 (2025) 580 sq mi
Weakley County has recorded 29 tornadoes since 1950, 13th most of 95 counties in Tennessee; the most recent was on April 2, 2025.
Hazard fingerprint Each spoke is this county’s percentile among U.S. counties where that hazard occurs. How it is computed
- Tornado damage paths since 195029
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger6
At a glance
The record for Weakley County in eight numbers. Each links to its section below.
Tropical cyclones within 50 mi
1
90th of 95 in Tennessee
None at hurricane strength since 1851
DetailsStrongest tornado
EF3
December 10, 2021, 122.6 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
TS
Tropical storm (unnamed), 1888, 10.3 miles away
Tornadoes
About one every 2.6 years since 1950, 3 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
December 10, 2021
EF3, 122.6 mile path
2,000 yards wide.
Deadliest
April 2, 2006
6 killed, F3
44 injured along the whole path.
Most recent
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
EF1, 17.1 mile path
Within the past year.
Every recorded tornado
| Apr 2, 2025 | EF1 | 17.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2025 | EF2 | 6.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 9, 2023 | EF1 | 24.9 | 3 | 0 |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF3 | 122.6 | 38 | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2020 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2018 | EF0 | 7.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2018 | EF0 | 5.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2011 | EF1 | 15.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF1 | 5.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | F3 | 31.0 | 44 | 6 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | F1 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | F2 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1994 | F3 | 6.0 | 2 | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1994 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 3, 1988 | F0 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1984 | F1 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 2, 1982 | F2 | 11.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Dec 4, 1977 | F0 | 0.1 | 3 | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | F1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Nov 26, 1973 | F2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1972 | F1 | 10.7 | 2 | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | F1 | 21.0 | 3 | 0 |
| Dec 11, 1967 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 15, 1967 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1957 | F2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1957 | F2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1953 | F1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1953 | F2 | 0.3 | 1 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond the county. Deaths recorded within Weakley County: 0.
- 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 passed within 50 miles since 1851; none at hurricane strength.
Strongest within 50 miles
August 21, 1888
Unnamed storm, Tropical storm
10.3 miles at closest approach, winds near 60 mph.
Most recent
October 26, 2019
Olga, Post-tropical
19.0 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
- 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 here since satellite mapping began in 1984.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 60 days
Heavy smoke on 6 days in 2021, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
15.7 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
10 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 36 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
17 federal flood insurance claims since 1980, with $74,000 paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 38237 | 14 | $59,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood31
- Flood6
- Heavy Rain3
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
Most severe crest
November 19, 1957
Obion River near Martin, 23.05 ft
3.05 feet above the 20.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
April 6, 2025
Obion River near Martin, 22.76 ft
Moderate flooding.
| Nov 19, 1957 | Obion River near Martin | 23.05 | +3.05 |
| Mar 2, 1998 | Obion River near Martin | 22.98 | +2.98 |
| Apr 6, 2025 | Obion River near Martin | 22.76 | +2.76 |
| Feb 16, 2025 | Obion River near Martin | 22.26 | +2.26 |
| Mar 2, 1997 | Obion River near Martin | 22.24 | +2.24 |
| Dec 1, 2001 | Obion River near Martin | 21.50 | +1.50 |
| Feb 12, 2019 | Obion River near Martin | 21.08 | +1.08 |
| Mar 2, 2021 | Obion River near Martin | 21.06 | +1.06 |
| May 4, 2011 | Obion River near Martin | 20.96 | +0.96 |
| Feb 1, 2025 | Obion River near Martin | 20.40 | +0.40 |
| May 18, 2008 | Obion River near Martin | 20.14 | +0.14 |
| Apr 5, 2008 | Obion River near Martin | 19.95 | −0.05 |
| May 2, 2010 | Obion River near Martin | 19.67 | −0.33 |
| May 5, 2003 | Obion River near Martin | 19.50 | −0.50 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | Obion River near Martin | 19.47 | −0.53 |
| Jul 31, 1996 | Obion River near Martin | 19.39 | −0.61 |
| Dec 15, 2007 | Obion River near Martin | 19.36 | −0.64 |
| May 1, 2009 | Obion River near Martin | 19.32 | −0.68 |
| Sep 23, 2006 | Obion River near Martin | 19.02 | −0.98 |
| Mar 28, 2005 | Obion River near Martin | 18.76 | −1.24 |
| Apr 9, 1993 | Obion River near Martin | 18.29 | −1.71 |
| Aug 5, 1995 | Obion River near Martin | 18.19 | −1.81 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | Obion River near Martin | 18.10 | −1.90 |
| Dec 23, 2017 | Obion River near Martin | 17.86 | −2.14 |
| Mar 19, 1992 | Obion River near Martin | 16.58 | −3.42 |
River gauges
| Obion River near Martin | 20.0 | 23.05 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 94 of 1,581 months since 1895 (6%); the longest spell lasted 12 months.
94
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
12
Months in extreme drought
6%
Share of all months, severe or worse
32
Drought reports to the Weather Service since 1996
Lowest reading
August 1936
−4.97, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
12 months
November 1930 to October 1931.
Latest month
September 2026
−1.64, mild drought
Last severe month: May 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
21 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or more within 50 miles since 1900; the largest was magnitude 4.7 in 1934.
0
Magnitude 2.5+ inside the county since 1973
99
Magnitude 3+ within 50 miles since 1973
21
Magnitude 4+ within 50 miles since 1900
0
Magnitude 5+ within 50 miles since 1900
Largest within 50 miles
August 19, 1934
Magnitude 4.7
3 km NE of Wilson City, Missouri; 37.2 miles away.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
April 23, 2026
Magnitude 4.0
1 km WNW of Cooter, Missouri; 49.7 miles away.
Every earthquake of magnitude 4 or more within 50 miles
| Apr 23, 2026 | 4.0 | 49.7 |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 4.0 | 29.1 |
| Jun 6, 2003 | 4.0 | 27.6 |
| May 3, 1991 | 4.5 | 49.9 |
| Apr 27, 1989 | 4.3 | 46.4 |
| Sep 28, 1987 | 4.3 | 36.1 |
| Jun 13, 1987 | 4.1 | 45.1 |
| Aug 7, 1981 | 4.0 | 18.2 |
| Jun 13, 1975 | 4.3 | 41.5 |
| May 13, 1974 | 4.3 | 32.1 |
| Jan 7, 1974 | 4.1 | 24.0 |
| Feb 2, 1962 | 4.2 | 31.3 |
| Jan 25, 1955 | 4.4 | 49.5 |
| Aug 19, 1934 | 4.7 | 37.2 |
| Oct 15, 1918 | 4.5 | 20.5 |
| Dec 7, 1915 | 4.6 | 20.4 |
| Oct 27, 1908 | 4.0 | 40.1 |
| Sep 28, 1908 | 4.0 | 38.4 |
| Nov 27, 1903 | 4.3 | 31.2 |
| Nov 4, 1903 | 4.7 | 37.1 |
| Nov 4, 1903 | 4.6 | 31.2 |
- 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 county boundary (or inside the county).
- 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
540 events in the National Weather Service record, 478 of them since 1996.
49
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
3
Hail, 2 inches or larger
108
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
67
Winter weather events since 1996
99
Heat events since 1996
12
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
June 3, 1985
2.75 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
May 4, 2021
85 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 8 | 2 |
| Dust storms and dust devils | 1 | 0 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Dec 10, 2021Tornado$6.1 million
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado tracked from Gibson County northeast into Weakley County. The tornado passed north of Sharon mainly uprooting and snapping trees. The tornado strengthened as it approached Dresden causing significant damage to several homes along Highway 89. The tornado was at its peak intensity as it moved through Dresden. Numerous homes and businesses were destroyed or damaged in Dresden. In total, 187 homes were damaged in Weakley County with 100 of those being complete losses. Twenty-one businesses were also affected across the county. The tornado continued northeast and moved into Henry County. Peak winds were estimated at 160 mph in Weakley County.
- Mar 1, 1997Flood, Weakley$1.5 million
National Weather Service narrative
Excessive rainfall during the first few days of March along with rivers that were already high caused prolonged flooding along the Mississippi and Tennessee rivers as well as their tributaries. Along the Mississippi, the river reached levels that had not been seen since 1937. Numerous roads were closed for days. In several counties people had to be evacuated from homes including 400 persons in the town of Rives in Obion county. In Madison county, two persons were killed when their car was swept off a flooded road. One person was killed in Shelby county when his car went over a flooded bridge. One man was also killed in Obion county when he fell out of a boat helping people out of…
- Apr 25, 2011Thunderstorm Wind$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Straight line winds knocked down trees and power lines between Sharon, Martin, Dresden and Mount Pelia. At least 100 power poles were snapped. Several homes received damage from fallen trees. One injury occurred as a result. In addition, A tree fell on a vehicle in transit injuring the driver. A couple of sheds were destroyed.
- May 4, 2003Tornado$750,000
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado touched on the south side of the city of Martin and tracked northeast. One business was destroyed. At Martin Westview High School, two storage buildings were blown away. At Martin Middle School, the gymnasium roof was ripped off. At Martin Elementary School, part of the roof was blown off. Many trees and power lines were knocked down.
- Apr 19, 2011Thunderstorm Wind$558,000
National Weather Service narrative
Straight line winds caused widespread damage across Weakley County. Five buildings were destroyed. Four homes suffered major damage. Three homes, two mobile homes and one business suffered minor damage. There were also numerous trees and power lines knocked down.
- Dec 9, 2023Tornado$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
This tornado moved from Gibson County into Weakley County northwest of Greenfield where more hardwood tree damage was observed along with snapped wooden power poles. The tornado continued to the northeast, south of Sharon, passing to the north of the Middle Fork Obion River. A concentrated area of damage was noted south of Dresden on Summers Road. A double-wide trailer rolled off its foundation resulting in two injuries. Businesses on Evergreen Street sustained minor roof damage. Minor roof damage was also observed at the National Guard Armory on Highway 22. The tornado dissipated just east of Highway 22. Peak winds were estimated at 110 mph in Weakley County.
- Apr 2, 2006Tornado$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
The tornado tracked east out of Gibson County into Weakley County. The most affected area was between Pillowville and Staffords Store. Four homes were destroyed and twenty-eight homes were damaged. At least two barns were leveled. Two people were seriously injured when their mobile home was destroyed. The tornado then continued further east into northern Carroll County.
- Aug 4, 2023Flash Flood$500,000
National Weather Service narrative
Several businesses were flooded in Martin. Mt. Pelia Road was closed due to flooding.
- Apr 2, 2025Tornado$250,000
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado touched down just west of the Weakley County line, east of Ralston Road between the Ruthville and Chestnut Glade communities. Multiple trees were uprooted along a field, with a metal barn completely destroyed along Vaughn Road. A nearby home had minor roof damage as well. The tornado continued eastward causing additional tree damage and damage to homes on Chestnut Glade Road. One home had the majority of its roof damaged in this area, with multiple surrounding trees either uprooted or snapped about midway up the tree. The tornado continued toward Mac Terrell Road, where the most significant damage occurred. The roof of a single family home was severely damaged, with a…
- May 1, 2010Flash Flood$232,000
National Weather Service narrative
Heavy rain produced flash flooding across Southern Weakley County. Several roads were flooded as a result.
- 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 Union City, 15.9 miles from the county’s population centre, with records from 1895.
- All-time high
- 111°FAug 10, 1930
- All-time low
- −22°FJan 9, 1942
- Warmest night
- 84°F2 times, most recently Jul 25, 1907
- Coldest day
- −3°FJan 21, 1985
- Wettest day
- 10.38 inAug 3, 2023
- Snowiest day
- 12.0 inJan 6, 1910
- Hottest year
- 1921mean 63.4°F
- Coldest year
- 1960mean 54.6°F
- Wettest year
- 195780.19 in
- Driest year
- 190126.68 in
- Snowiest season
- 34.3 in1977-78
Median first snow
January 2
Earliest: October 30, 1993
Median last snow
February 24
Latest: April 8, 2018
8 of 86 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Union City (USC00409219), 321 ft elevation, 15.9 miles from the population centre. Daily records from 1895 to September 30, 2026; 97.7% 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
21 since 1953. The most recent: Severe Winter Storm, February 6, 2026.
| Feb 6, 2026 | Winter Storm | DR-4898-TN |
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3635-TN |
| Apr 2, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3625-TN |
| Dec 13, 2023 | Severe Storm | DR-4751-TN |
| Mar 11, 2022 | Severe Storm | DR-4645-TN |
| Jan 14, 2022 | Tornado | DR-4637-TN |
| Dec 13, 2021 | Tornado | EM-3576-TN |
| Jul 9, 2020 | Severe Storm | DR-4550-TN |
| Apr 2, 2020 | Biological | DR-4514-TN |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3473-TN |
| Aug 13, 2014 | Severe Storm | DR-4189-TN |
| May 9, 2011 | Severe Storm | DR-1979-TN |
| May 1, 2011 | Severe Storm | DR-1974-TN |
| Feb 17, 2009 | Severe Ice Storm | DR-1821-TN |
| Apr 5, 2006 | Severe Storm | DR-1634-TN |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3217-TN |
| May 8, 2003 | Severe Storm | DR-1464-TN |
| Jun 12, 2000 | Severe Storm | DR-1331-TN |
| Mar 7, 1997 | Tornado | DR-1167-TN |
| Feb 28, 1994 | Severe Storm | DR-1010-TN |
| Mar 22, 1975 | Flood | DR-459-TN |
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.
How this compares
Where Weakley County stands among 95 counties in Tennessee and 3,143 in the United States.
| Tornadoes since 1950 | 29 | 13 / 95 |
| Tornadoes rated F3/EF3 or stronger | 3 | 25 / 95 |
| Tropical cyclones within 50 mi | 1 | 90 / 95 |
| Hurricane-strength passes within 50 mi | 0 | — |
| Wildfire acres since 1984 | 0 | — |
| Flood insurance claims | 17 | 72 / 95 |
| Flood insurance paid | $74,000 | 83 / 95 |
| Disaster declarations | 21 | 46 / 95 |
| Flood events since 1996 | 40 | 48 / 95 |
| Hail and wind events since 1996 | 212 | 53 / 95 |
| Winter storm events since 1996 | 67 | 22 / 95 |
| Reported damage since 1996 | $14.4 million | 48 / 95 |
| River crests at major flood stage | 1 | 28 / 95 |
| High tide flooding days a year, last 10 years | 0.0 | — |
| Months in severe drought since 1895 | 94 | 58 / 95 |
| Medium or heavy smoke days a year, last 10 years | 15.7 | 10 / 95 |
| Earthquakes M4+ within 50 mi since 1900 | 21 | 6 / 95 |
| Earthquakes M2.5+ in the county since 1973 | 0 | — |
Neighbouring counties
| Carroll County | 26 | 3 |
| Gibson County | 34 | 1 |
| Graves County KY | 42 | 1 |
| Henry County | 16 | 1 |
| Hickman County KY | 15 | 1 |
| Obion County | 26 | 2 |
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 USC00409219.
- 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.