Richmond, VA Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Richmond is higher than Virginia average and is lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Richmond is higher than Virginia average and is about the same as the national average.
Earthquake Index, #32
| Richmond, VA | 1.18 |
| Virginia | 0.20 |
| 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
| Richmond, VA | 0.0000 |
| 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, #145
| Richmond, VA | 143.51 |
| Virginia | 88.66 |
| 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 2,730 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Richmond, VA 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: | 1 | Cold: | 15 | Dense Fog: | 10 | Drought: | 18 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 160 | Hail: | 528 | Heat: | 27 | Heavy Snow: | 25 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 4 | Ice Storm: | 6 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 50 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,447 | Tropical Storm: | 2 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 86 | Winter Weather: | 80 |
| Other: | 271 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Richmond, VA.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Richmond, VA.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Richmond, VA.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 32 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Richmond, VA.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 2.5 | 1969-03-24 | 2 | 37°31'N / 77°26'W | 0.30 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Richmond (c) | |
| 2.6 | 1984-05-29 | 2 | 37°30'N / 77°27'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Chesterfield | |
| 3.2 | 1951-06-13 | 2 | 37°33'N / 77°29'W | 37°36'N / 77°26'W | 4.10 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 12 | 250K | 0 | Richmond (c) |
| 12.6 | 1990-04-02 | 2 | 37°21'N / 77°27'W | 0.20 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Chesterfield | |
| 18.2 | 1970-06-21 | 2 | 37°21'N / 77°43'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Chesterfield | |||
| 19.3 | 1990-05-04 | 3 | 37°19'N / 77°49'W | 37°14'N / 77°25'W | 8.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Amelia |
| 19.5 | 1984-05-08 | 3 | 37°18'N / 77°18'W | 37°19'N / 77°13'W | 5.00 Miles | 1500 Yards | 0 | 15 | 2.5M | 0 | Hopewell (c) |
| 20.0 | 1962-05-08 | 2 | 37°40'N / 77°48'W | 1 | 2 | 0K | 0 | Goochland | |||
| 20.1 | 1993-08-06 | 4 | 37°12'N / 77°26'W | 37°19'N / 77°16'W | 12.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 4 | 246 | 50.0M | 0 | Dinwiddie, Prince George And Chesterfield |
| Brief Description: The most devastating tornado of the day touched down one mile southwest of Petersburg at approximately 1330 EDT. This tornado rapidly grew in size and strength as it moved northeast into the commercial historic district of Petersburg. Numerous homes and businesses sustained major damage. Damage estimates for the area were $15 million. Forty people were injured. The tornado crossed the river into Colonial Heights and struck one of the area's shopping districts. It destroyed some buildings and did major damage to numerous other buildings including the the Wal-Mart, where three people were killed and nearly 200 were injured. Total damage estimates in Colonial Heights were $29.5 million. The tornado crossed the Appomattox River again into Prince George County where it struck a sand and gravel pit company. A block building collapsed and numerous vehicles and other equipment were destroyed. One person was killed. Damage estimates were $750,000. It then moved into the northern section of Hopewell, where it ripped into the Riverside Park Apartment Complex, tearing the roofs off of several buildings. Minor damage was done to another 49 homes, major damage to 13 homes and 2 were destroyed. The tornado weakened then dissipated near the confluence of the Appomattox and James Rivers. Eight people were reported injured and damage estimates were $2.2 million. (F48O) (F40O) (F56O) (M28O) | |||||||||||
| 20.7 | 1986-10-14 | 2 | 37°16'N / 77°18'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Prince George | |
| 22.0 | 1984-05-08 | 3 | 37°13'N / 77°25'W | 2.00 Miles | 1500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Petersburg (c) | |
| 23.2 | 1990-10-18 | 3 | 37°37'N / 77°06'W | 37°40'N / 77°03'W | 5.00 Miles | 430 Yards | 1 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | King William |
| 23.7 | 1970-06-21 | 2 | 37°12'N / 77°22'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Petersburg (c) | |||
| 24.6 | 1969-07-06 | 2 | 37°13'N / 77°16'W | 0.50 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Prince George | |
| 24.9 | 1998-04-01 | 2 | 37°53'N / 77°30'W | 37°54'N / 77°26'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 200K | 0 | Caroline |
| Brief Description: Supercell thunderstorm produced a tornado along a 9 mile path extending from near Coatesville in northwest Hanover county eastward into south central Caroline county southeast of Ruther Glen. The damage path was nearly continuous along this track, with damage intensity ranging from F0/F1 to strong F2/F3 in a couple of locations along the path. Damage path ranged from about 200 yards wide to near one quarter of a mile wide at its widest. The most significant structural damage occurred to two homes east of Coatesville. One home was completely destroyed and another severely damaged. Numerous other homes in northwest Hanover and south central Caroline counties sustained lesser damage. In addition, two mobile homes were destroyed in Caroline county. Several churches sustained damage, and several outbuildings were severely damaged or destroyed. There were two areas along the tornado path where entire groves of pine trees were completely flattened by the tornado. There were two fatalities from the storm in the Coatesville area of northwest Hanover county and one minor injury in Caroline county. | |||||||||||
| 24.9 | 1998-04-01 | 3 | 37°53'N / 77°37'W | 37°53'N / 77°32'W | 5.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 2 | 0 | 800K | 0 | Hanover |
| Brief Description: F39PH, M1PH | |||||||||||
| 31.0 | 1984-05-08 | 2 | 37°20'N / 77°04'W | 37°22'N / 76°51'W | 15.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Charlotte |
| 33.7 | 1993-08-06 | 2 | 36°59'N / 78°08'W | 37°15'N / 77°28'W | 38.00 Miles | 175 Yards | 0 | 0 | 5.0M | 0 | Lunenburg, Nottoway, Dinwiddie And Chesterfield |
| Brief Description: The tornado first touched down 1 mile northeast of Kenbridge in Lunenburg County at 1243 EDT, where roofs were blown off of a briquet plant and a furniture company building. Damage estimates in Lunenburg County were $300,000. The tornado moved northeast into southeast Nottoway County and strengthened. It leveled a barn, some outbuildings and trees on Route 46 near the west edge of Fort Pickett Military Reservation. Damages in Nottoway County were estimated at $100,000. It continued northeast into Dinwiddie County and the Fort Pickett Military Reservation where it did minimal damage. It moved northeast to the town of Ford where the most significant damage in the county occurred. It destroyed a house and a shed and knocked down numerous telephone poles, and large trees. The tornado tracked northeast into the southeast part of Chesterfield County and lifted about 5 miles west of Colonial Heights. | |||||||||||
| 33.8 | 1986-10-14 | 2 | 37°01'N / 77°22'W | 37°07'N / 77°12'W | 13.90 Miles | 450 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Prince George |
| 33.9 | 1986-10-14 | 3 | 37°18'N / 76°57'W | 37°19'N / 76°54'W | 5.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Charlotte |
| 37.7 | 1986-10-14 | 2 | 36°58'N / 77°22'W | 37°01'N / 77°22'W | 2.10 Miles | 450 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Sussex |
| 38.3 | 1983-05-22 | 3 | 37°05'N / 77°55'W | 37°06'N / 77°53'W | 1.00 Mile | 37 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Dinwiddie |
| 40.1 | 1983-05-22 | 3 | 37°05'N / 77°58'W | 37°05'N / 77°55'W | 2.50 Miles | 37 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Nottoway |
| 40.5 | 1966-11-02 | 2 | 37°05'N / 78°00'W | 37°07'N / 77°57'W | 3.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Nottoway |
| 40.8 | 1978-04-19 | 3 | 36°53'N / 77°34'W | 37°02'N / 77°01'W | 32.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Sussex |
| 41.6 | 1978-04-19 | 3 | 37°02'N / 77°01'W | 37°05'N / 77°00'W | 3.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Surry |
| 44.6 | 1981-05-11 | 2 | 37°41'N / 76°41'W | 0.20 Mile | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Middlesex | |
| 46.4 | 1974-05-12 | 2 | 37°11'N / 78°12'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Nottoway | |||
| 48.4 | 1959-09-30 | 3 | 37°52'N / 78°18'W | 37°54'N / 78°11'W | 6.50 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Fluvanna |
| 49.0 | 1983-08-31 | 2 | 37°58'N / 76°46'W | 0.20 Mile | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Richmond | |
| 49.4 | 1986-10-14 | 3 | 36°47'N / 77°46'W | 36°54'N / 77°40'W | 12.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Brunswick |
| 49.7 | 1966-11-02 | 3 | 37°58'N / 76°45'W | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Richmond | |||
* 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.