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History & Statistics

Virginia's Weather HistoryVirginia Weather and Disaster StatisticsPresidentially Declared Disasters

What's In Weather and Disaster Statistics

Virginia Weather and Disaster Statistics: Hurricane Statistics

A recap of the most destructive tropical storms to hit Virginia in recent years


2006 Hurricane Season Recap

Tropical Storm Ernesto hit the Commonwealth Aug. 29 and caused flooding and high winds that killed seven people and caused an estimated $118 million in damage. In Virginia, storm surge along the western shores of the Chesapeake Bay and into tidal sections of adjacent rivers flooded several homes, and significantly damaged some piers and boats. Strong winds downed trees and power lines in coastal areas.

To help state government and local jurisdictions recover, the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided federal funds to eligible government and private nonprofit organizations in the counties of Accomack, Caroline, Charles City, Dinwiddie, Essex, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Northumberland, Richmond, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland and York and the independent cities of Poquoson and Richmond.

U.S. Small Business Administration provided low-interest disaster loans to Virginia residents affected by Ernesto in the independent cities of Hampton, Newport News and Richmond; the counties of Gloucester, Northumberland and the adjacent independent city of Poquoson; the adjacent counties of Chesterfield, Henrico, James City, King and Queen, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Richmond, Westmoreland and York.


Tropical Depression Ernesto, Aug. 29, 2006

Localities declared major disaster areas (Public Assistance Program only): The cities of Newport News, Poquoson, Richmond, and the counties of Accomack, Caroline, Charles City, Dinwiddie, Essex, Gloucester, Greensville, Isle of Wight, James City, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Northumberland, Richmond, Surry, Sussex, Westmoreland, York.

Public Assistance (state agencies, local government, utilities)

2005 Hurricane Season Recap

The 2005 hurricane season broke the record for named storms, producing 26 named storms, 14 hurricanes and seven intense hurricanes. Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Ophelia and Wilma, and Tropical Storm Cindy caused 12 federal major disaster area declarations in six states.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita did not strike Virginia, but the Commonwealth felt their impact. The severity of the storms’ destruction prompted Gov. Mark R. Warner to declare a state of emergency to facilitate the Commonwealth’s ability to help those in the Gulf States. Virginia sent more than 1,100 state and local personnel to the region through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Through the efforts of many local, state and nonprofit agencies, a temporary shelter and resource center to serve more than 1,000 evacuees was established at Ft. Pickett, near Blackstone, Va., although the Federal Emergency Management Agency did not transfer any to Virginia.


Hurricane Jeanne, September 28, 2004 (figures through April 2005)

Federal Recovery Assistance

Hurricane Gaston, August 30, 2004 (figures through April 2005)

Federal Recovery Assistance
Public Assistance (state agencies, local government, utilities

Hurricane Isabel, September 18, 2003 (figures from Sept. 18, 2003 through April 30, 2004)

Recovery Assistance
Public Assistance (state agencies, local government, utilities)