Jefferson County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot West Virginia Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Jefferson County is about the same as West Virginia average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Jefferson County is much higher than West Virginia average and is lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #14
| Jefferson County | 0.05 |
| West Virginia | 0.06 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Jefferson County | 0.0000 |
| West Virginia | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #1
| Jefferson County | 118.54 |
| West Virginia | 34.13 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 13,718 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Jefferson County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 7 | Cold: | 74 | Dense Fog: | 52 | Drought: | 46 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 2,136 | Hail: | 2,327 | Heat: | 85 | Heavy Snow: | 197 |
| High Surf: | 1 | Hurricane: | 3 | Ice Storm: | 42 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 211 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 6,974 | Tropical Storm: | 10 | Wildfire: | 24 | Winter Storm: | 204 | Winter Weather: | 155 |
| Other: | 1,170 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Jefferson County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Jefferson County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Jefferson County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 30 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Jefferson County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 4.0 | 1989-11-16 | 2 | 39°15'N / 77°47'W | 39°20'N / 77°48'W | 9.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 9.6 | 1996-07-19 | 2 | 39°23'N / 77°42'W | 39°21'N / 77°42'W | 2.00 Miles | 125 Yards | 0 | 0 | 400K | 75K | Washington |
| Brief Description: A moderate tornado (F2) tracked between two mountain ridges in extreme southern Washington Co, knocking down hundreds of trees, including several onto homes which caused substantial damage. At least one barn was completely destroyed in Yarrowsburg. The storm attained maximum strength just south of town (where the trees, including numerous hardwoods, were flattened). The tornado weakened considerably before dissipating along the eastern ridge. Structural and vehicle damage, though not as prevalent as the tree damage, included the following: Portions of roofs from two barns were blown off; minor residential damage, including shattered windows, unhinged shingles, and torn off trim/gutters. Some gravestones were overturned by the winds, and several power lines were knocked down. Several vehicles and vehicle windows were damaged. | |||||||||||
| 10.2 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 39°22'N / 78°02'W | 39°23'N / 78°02'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 6 | 25K | 0 | Berkeley |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down in Darkesville in southern Berkeley County. The F2 tornado produced extensive structural damage to homes and businesses in the area. The storm traveled north and toppled tractor trailers and vehicles on Interstate-81. At least 6 people were injured from the automobile accidents. | |||||||||||
| 10.4 | 1975-08-04 | 2 | 39°14'N / 78°02'W | 0.80 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Clarke | |
| 15.4 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 39°24'N / 77°33'W | 39°24'N / 77°39'W | 3.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 5K | 0 | Frederick |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado touched down in far northwest Frederick County, on the northwest edge of Catoctin Mountain Park. A thickly forested stand of hardwood trees was snapped off above the bases. | |||||||||||
| 18.0 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 39°10'N / 78°10'W | 39°12'N / 78°09'W | 5.00 Miles | 125 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Frederick |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado produced a nearly continuous path of damage for 5 miles in eastern Frederick County. It touched down west of Millwood Pike near the Winchester Airport. Three homes suffered roof damage, a detached two car garage was destroyed, a platform deck was blown away, an office trailer was overturned, and numerous trees along the track of the storm were uprooted or topped. | |||||||||||
| 18.0 | 1961-07-13 | 2 | 39°19'N / 78°12'W | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Frederick | |||
| 22.7 | 1979-09-05 | 2 | 39°06'N / 77°32'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Loudoun | |
| 22.8 | 1979-09-05 | 2 | 39°08'N / 77°30'W | 0.50 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Loudoun | |
| 24.8 | 1980-06-03 | 2 | 39°00'N / 77°40'W | 38°59'N / 77°37'W | 2.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Loudoun |
| 28.1 | 1978-07-31 | 2 | 39°24'N / 77°21'W | 1.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Frederick | |
| 29.9 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 38°57'N / 77°27'W | 39°05'N / 77°27'W | 8.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3.0M | 0 | Loudoun |
| Brief Description: A thunderstorm moved into eastern Loudoun County from Fairfax County near the Dulles International Airport. The storm produced a tornado which touched down at Dulles International Airport and passed within one half mile of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Sterling. This prompted the staff on duty to seek shelter in the office constructed saferoom. As the storm traveled north from the Dulles International Airport, it produced minor tree damage. More extensive damage occurred north of Waxpool Road at the Beaumede Corporate Park. Seven buildings were damaged. A wall collapsed in one of the buildings. A tractor trailer was overturned. The tornado also pushed two cars into the side of a building. The tornado weakened as it traveled north. The last damage in Loudoun County was reported just north of Route 7. | |||||||||||
| 36.3 | 1993-09-27 | 2 | 38°47'N / 77°42'W | 38°49'N / 77°40'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 2 | 500K | 0 | Fauquier And Prince William |
| Brief Description: Thunderstorms moved through norther Virginia downing trees near Tanners and Madison in Madison County and across northern Culpeper County. A tornado touched down near New Baltimore, or about 2.5 miles east of Warrenton in Faquier County, and moved east into Prince William County to about 2 miles southwest of Manassas. The tornado ripped a barn roof off and blew a large business sign down as well as downing trees and power lines. There was significant structural damage to one home in the Nokesville area. Two people sustained minor injuries from flying debris. | |||||||||||
| 36.4 | 1981-07-28 | 2 | 38°54'N / 77°26'W | 0.10 Mile | 27 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Fairfax | |
| 36.8 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 38°42'N / 77°45'W | 38°52'N / 77°44'W | 13.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 750K | 0 | Fauquier |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado produced widespread structural damage to two subdivisions in northern Fauquier County. Some small items were turned into projectiles by this tornado and landed in trees and the sides of homes and some vehicles. There was substantial tree damage. Numerous large, healthy trees were uprooted and snapped. This is the third tornado of this event in Fauquier. | |||||||||||
| 38.8 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 38°48'N / 77°26'W | 38°54'N / 77°27'W | 7.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Fairfax |
| Brief Description: A tornadic thunderstorm entered western Fairfax County from Prince William County. The storm had a path of about 7 miles. Beginning on Old Centerville Road, the storm produced scattered tree damage along its path and minor roofing damage to structures in the London Town Area. A line of damage was carved from Lee Highway northward into the Centerville and Chantilly areas.The tornado destroyed one estate and damaged about 50 other dwellings. The storm was also responsible for downed trees and power lines. The tornado lifted as it crossed Route 50. | |||||||||||
| 42.2 | 1996-06-24 | 2 | 38°50'N / 77°31'W | 38°50'N / 77°13'W | 19.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 4.0M | 0 | Fairfax |
| Brief Description: A tornado, associated with the mesocyclone of a heavy-precipitation supercell, touched down in extreme southeastern Loudoun Co near the Bull Run, then proceeded east-southeast for 20 miles, knocking down over 1000 trees and causing substantial property damage, especially in western Fairfax County, before lifting along the Capital Beltway at the Braddock Road interchange less than 2 miles west of Annandale. While moving over rural terrain in extreme southeastern Loudoun and extreme western Fairfax Cos, the tornado uprooted or snapped tens of trees. The storm rapidly intensified over western Fairfax Co, where it produced F2 damage. The storm uprooted or snapped hundreds of trees along Pleasant Valley Road (local route 621) before moving into the Sully Station area of Centreville, where it produced estimated winds of over 130 mph. The most impressive damage occurred along Tree Line Drive, where 11 of 17 homes incurred moderate to major damage. Eight homes were condemned due to major damage or total destruction, including one which lost it's entire roof and back wall. Dozens more homes sustained moderate damage, including shingle, siding, chimney, roof, and window damage. After passing through Sully Station, the twister weakened somewhat, producing F1-rated damage until just south of Fairfax City (near Burke), then weakened to F0 intensity before it was overwhelmed by straight-line winds near the Capital Beltway. The storm accelerated on an east-southeast track roughly paralleling Braddock Road. Additional damage was incurred to residences and trees from subdivisions west of Fairfax City to just north of Burke (south of Fairfax City), continuing to the Annandale area. The combined efforts of several agencies produced property damage estimates along the track (not including flora) to be $2.99 million. Included in that total are 323 homes which sustained minor damage. An estimated 80 thousand homes lost power along the track of the tornado in Fairfax Co, with some homes not receiving juice until several days after the event. | |||||||||||
| 42.6 | 1978-07-31 | 2 | 39°18'N / 77°04'W | 0.80 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Howard | |
| 42.8 | 1983-05-22 | 3 | 39°42'N / 77°15'W | 39°42'N / 77°14'W | 1.00 Mile | 37 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Frederick |
| 43.8 | 2004-09-17 | 2 | 38°37'N / 77°47'W | 38°44'N / 77°48'W | 8.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Fauquier |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado touched down near Opal and tracked north. The tornado produced severe tree damage and some structural damage to several dwellings before dissipating near Warrenton. This is the second tornado of three tornadoes in Fauquier County associated with the remnants of Hurricane Ivan. | |||||||||||
| 44.2 | 1983-05-22 | 3 | 39°42'N / 77°14'W | 39°43'N / 77°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 37 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Carroll |
| 44.8 | 1978-06-19 | 2 | 38°40'N / 78°00'W | 0.20 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Rappahannock | |
| 45.4 | 1969-08-09 | 2 | 38°52'N / 77°14'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Fairfax | |||
| 45.9 | 1973-04-01 | 3 | 38°48'N / 77°20'W | 38°51'N / 77°13'W | 7.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 37 | 25.0M | 0 | Fairfax |
| 46.0 | 1983-10-13 | 2 | 38°53'N / 77°12'W | 1.00 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Falls Church (c) | |
| 46.7 | 1979-09-05 | 3 | 38°47'N / 77°05'W | 39°00'N / 77°16'W | 17.90 Miles | 300 Yards | 1 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Fairfax |
| 47.5 | 1973-04-01 | 3 | 38°51'N / 77°13'W | 38°52'N / 77°10'W | 2.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Fauquier |
| 48.5 | 2001-09-24 | 4 | 38°34'N / 77°59'W | 38°39'N / 77°54'W | 7.00 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.0M | 0 | Culpeper |
| Brief Description: A tornado damaged several buildings and destroyed one home before crossing into Fauquier County. Two people were injured when the tornado damaged a trailer park. Five tornadoes touched down in Northern Virginia during the afternoon and early evening of the 24th. The thunderstorms which spawned them were created when a strong cold front moved through the region. One tornado touched down briefly in Orange County, just a few miles west of Gordonsville. A resident saw the tornado come "off the mountain" and twist trees along Route 645 near the intersection of Route 33. One tree landed on a vehicle near Route 33. It is unknown exactly how long the twister was on the ground due to the rural nature of its path, so the path length of two tenths of a mile was estimated. The damage path was about 25 yards wide and due to the amount of tree damage it was ranked an F1. Shortly before the tornado touched down in Orange County, another storm produced a much stronger tornado over the northern half of Culpeper County. The tornado was on the ground for 10 miles and touched down just east of Rixeyville on Route 640. It was F0 strength at this location and downed a tree onto a home before moving northeast to Indian Fork Road. On a hilltop at this location it destroyed all but the walkout basement of a two story brick house. Debris from the home such as bricks and wood were impaled into the ground. Plumbing and appliances were strewn across the yard and personal items such as clothing and bedding were found in trees at least 1/2 mile away. A section of a deck was found intact 1/2 mile away and some insulation was discovered 6 miles from the site. A car in the garage of the home was crushed by debris. Fortunately, no one was home at the time the tornado hit. A neighbor who witnessed the destruction said the home exploded like a bomb went off inside when the tornado "dropped onto it". The tornado was ranked an F4 at this location with winds estimated around 210 MPH. It weakened slightly as it moved northeast downing trees along a rural path south of Jeffersonton. Next, it crossed through the heart of Jeffersonton along roughly Scottsville and Springs Roads at F2 strength. Three trailer homes in the Ponderosa Trailer Court were destroyed, including one that was picked up and dropped in pieces 300 yards away. Two people at the trailer park were injured, including one person who was hit in the back by flying debris while clinging to a pole outside. Four churches, 4 trailer homes, 4 houses, and numerous trees and power lines were damaged in Jeffersonton. Two barns and a garage attached to a home were destroyed. The tornado continued to damage trees along its wooded path north of town before it crossed into Fauquier County. The twister, now at F1 strength, remained on the ground for three more miles where it downed more trees and removed the roof of a barn. The damage path crossed Hart Road and Holtzclaw Road, then it disappeared just north of Route 211. The same storm dropped a second tornado in the northern portion of Fauquier County. This tornado touched down southwest of The Plains just south of Interstate 66. Motorists saw it cross the interstate and push northeast toward Route 55. At the intersection of Route 55 and Bunker Hill Road, the twister struck a home at F1 strength. It ripped off the front porch, sending debris onto cars in the driveway. It also destroyed a pool shed and damaged several trees. The tornado crossed Route 55 where it downed trees and power poles and pushed over a tractor trailer. The tornado weakened to F0 strength as it tracked north near Whitewood Road. Two homes on Milestone Road and a few smaller buildings sustained minor damage. A few trees were damaged as the tornado continued northward just west of Halfway. The funnel dissipated before the storm crossed into Loudoun County. Another thunderstorm dropped two tornadoes along the Interstate 95 and 395 corridor southwest of Washington D.C. The first tornado touched down on Quantico Marine Corps Base just north of Garrisonville. A funnel cloud was spotted near Garrisonville shortly before the twister touched down. Trees were downed on the base along the path of the F0 tornado. Personnel sited it as it passed a quarter mile west of the fire station. The tornado continued north into Prince William County where it downed some trees in Prince William Forest Park area. The tornado moved north into the Lake Montclair community where it took down a few trees, broke branches, and bent siding up on homes. The weak tornado lifted shortly after. Because the storm passed through several limited access areas, part of the tornado track was not able to be surveyed. It is possible the tornado may not have been on the ground the entire time. The second tornado which remained on the ground for 15 miles passed through densely populated areas of Eastern Fairfax County, the western portion of the city of Alexandria, and Arlington County. The F1 tornado touched down just west of Fort Belvoir near Newington Road in Fairfax County. It skipped north-northeast through Kingstown and Franconia following Beulah Street (Route 613). Minor damage was reported at the intersections of Windsor Avenue, Fleet Drive, and Walker Lane. Several townhomes on Beulah Street received minor damage to roofing and siding. Debris was also reported in the Franconia Commons development. The tornado could be seen from the Franconia-Springfield metro station. The next report of minor damage came from the Wellington Commons and Brookland Estates communities near the intersection of Franconia Road and Route 613. Citywide, 10 homes received minor roof damage, two businesses sustained minor damage, and 40 trees and wires were downed. Next, the twister crossed Eisenhower Road as it moved into the western portion of the City of Alexandria. It weakened to F0 strength and was believed to have passed just west of Alexandria Hospital and into the Fort Ward Park area. It downed a large sign on Interstate 395 at King Road. Minor damage was reported in the Park Fairfax and Parc East communities along Martha Custis Drive near the Arlington County border. The tornado returned to F1 strength and continued north-northeast paralleling Interstate 395 into the Shirlington portion of Arlington County. It passed through the Arna Valley and Club Manor Estates developments near National Hospital Medical Center. A woman walking down 28th Street in this area was injured when a tree branch fell onto her. Nearby, windows were shattered at a restaurant. The next concentrated area of damage occurred in the Virginia Highlands development between Kent and Ives Streets. Several trees and wires were downed and a few house roofs sustained damage. A weather observer at Reagan National Airport spotted the thin funnel as it moved from Crystal City over Pentagon City and across the 14th Street Bridge and reported a second funnel descending shortly before the tornado crossed the Potomac River. The tornado moved across Interstate 395 just south of the Pentagon where it downed trees and road signs. One woman was injured when a tree fell onto her vehicle. Other vehicles received broken windows from flying debris. The tornado started to weaken fast as it crossed the 14th Street Bridge into Washington D.C. In addition to tornadoes, the storm produced very heavy downpours. In Loudoun County, Town Branch in Leesburg overflowed its banks. Several roads in low lying areas in and around town were also flooded including the Greenway at mile marker 8, Evergreen Mills Road, Loudoun Street, and the intersection of the Route 15 bypass at Sycolin Road. Three water rescues were reported. Street flooding was observed in Purcellville. Rainfall reports included 4.1 to 4.8 inches in Leesburg, 3.95 inches in Lincoln and Purcellville, 3.9 inches in Ashburn, 2.60 inches in Middleburg, and 2.49 inches in Lovettsville. In Fauquier County, Route 17 between Warrenton and Marshall was flooded. Route 55 near Marshall was also covered with water. Some secondary dirt roads in the northern portion of the county were partially washed out when small streams overflowed. A total of 4.05 inches was recorded in The Plains and 2.14 inches fell in Warrenton. In Culpeper County, 3.35 inches of rain fell in Culpeper. In Madison County, rainfall totals included 2.80 inches in Hood, 2.77 inches at Fork Mountain, 2.65 inches in Wolftown, and 2.35 inches at Big Meadows. In Rappahannock County, 3.75 inches was reported in Castleton. | |||||||||||
| 49.5 | 1996-07-19 | 3 | 39°30'N / 76°59'W | 39°29'N / 76°57'W | 2.20 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 3 | 5.0M | 20K | Carroll |
| Brief Description: One of the most potent tornadoes in recorded history in the state of Maryland tracked for 2 and 1/4 miles through the Mystic Kane and Four Seasons subdivisions just off state route 32 northwest of Gamber. The tornado was a strong F3 (180 mph estimated winds) with multiple vortices. Homes and trees struck by individual vortices sustained the worst damage. There were several eyewitness accounts of the tornado/funnel cloud shortly before touchdown. In all, 66 structures sustained damage. Twelve single-family homes were destroyed, five which lost most of the second story and garages. Three persons were injured. Two children were injured when the tornado blew them out of the second level of one of the homes. Their father suffered cuts and bruises when a wall partially collapsed on him while he was trying the rescue the children. Another dozen homes were deemed temporarily uninhabitable with substantial roof and siding damage. An additional 37 homes, a couple of apartments, and another barn received some damage. Many material items were sucked out of the homes, from bicycles to jewelry. Several automobiles were damaged by fallen and/or flying debris. Debris littered the ground for miles. A barn along route 32 was completely destroyed, and pieces of it were found as far away as 3.5 miles to the southeast of the barn's original location. Dozens of trees were snapped, shredded, debarked, and uprooted. Corn stalks were sucked up leaving six inch stubs as the tornado crossed a field west of route 32. A corn stalk was embedded into the wall of a house 1/2 mile away from the stalk's original location. Numerous airborne missiles (large and small) were generated, puncturing holes into homes and becoming embedded into the ground. A refrigerator was found wrapped around a mailbox. A van was dragged 50 feet, then flipped over two times. Other vehicles were also damaged. | |||||||||||
| 49.8 | 1979-05-23 | 2 | 39°35'N / 77°00'W | 2.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Carroll | |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.