Portsmouth (c) County, Virginia
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1959 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
4
Tornado reports
25
Hail reports
38
Floods since 1996
158
All events
0
Deaths
$5.9M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Portsmouth (c) County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 4 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
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Year by year
All storm eventsTornadoes
NOAA's storm database records tornadoes back to 1950 and hail and thunderstorm wind back to 1955, but floods only from 1996 on. Older floods are missing here. For those, the U.S. Geological Survey's stream gauge records and flood reports are the place to look.
Most significant events
The strongest tornadoes, deadliest events and biggest damage here, up to 50.
Heavy rain caused an extended period of significant flooding across much of the city. Numerous roads were impassable or closed for several days, and many homes and businesses were impacted.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
High water was reported on I-295 at mile marker 5.5.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Numerous trees fell down along Maryland Avenue.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
VDOT reported lane closures on I-264 at mile marker four in the city of Portsmouth due to flooding.
A tree fell on a car heading east of I-264 near the intersection with Fredrick Blvd. There were minor injuries to the person.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Water was reported over the road on Towne Point Road in Portsmouth. This report was received from social media.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree fell onto an apartment building, causing the building to partially collapse.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree fell down near Tyre Neck Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree fell down along Churchland Bridge.
Lightning Lightning
An Emergency Manager reported a fire response for a house due to a lightning strike. However, no major damage was reported.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
There were numerous reports of street flooding in the city of Portsmouth, mainly on Airline Boulevard and Portsmouth Boulevard.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flooding was reported at Route 264 near Effingham Street.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 3.45 inches was reported at (4.1 SSE) Portsmouth. Rainfall total of 3.39 inches was reported at Portsmouth.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Street flooding was reported at London Boulevard and Effingham Street.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A personal weather station measured a gust to 80 mph (70 knots). A video also showed the intense wind. There were snapped trees, branches down, and a pop up camper thrown by the wind. Additionally, approximately 50 to 75 egrets were killed by the storm. The wind lasted around 60 …
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Large limbs were downed and blocking some streets.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Large limbs and power lines were downed and blocking Caroline Avenue.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
The Port of Virginia VIG Terminal reported significant damage to three cranes and toppled 100 containers from their stacks.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flash flooding was reported along London Boulevard.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 2.73 inches was reported between 100 pm and 400 pm.
Flood Flood
Numerous roads were impassible or closed due to continued flooding from recent heavy rainfall.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals generally ranged between four inches and seven inches across the county. Rainfall total of 6.93 inches was reported at (4.1 SSE) Portsmouth. Rainfall total of 6.85 inches was reported at (1 NW) Cradock.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Streets were flooded in some neighborhoods.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals were between four inches and five inches across the county. Rainfall total of 5.05 inches was reported at (1 E) Western Branch. Rainfall total of 4.81 inches was reported at Portsmouth.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals between two and four inches were reported across the county.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Total rainfall of 3.38 inches was reported, with 3.00 inches of rain reported in one hour. Several roads were flooded.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Shingles were blown off of a house. One inch tree limbs were broken.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Wind gust of 62 knots (71 mph) was measured at Mesonet Station XSNJ South Norfolk Jordan Bridge.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Front porch roof was damaged at a residence on Queenswood Drive.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 1.55 inches was reported at Portsmouth.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 2.29 inches was reported.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 3.24 inches was reported.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 2.20 inches was reported at NGU.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 2.38 inches was reported at Cradock.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 3.62 inches was measured at Downtown Portsmouth (2 WNW).
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 3.11 inches was measured at Cradock.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 4.44 inches was measured at Cradock.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 2.45 inches was measured at NGU.
Lightning Lightning
Lightning strike damaged a church on Columbus Avenue.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Wind gust of 52 knots (60 mph) was measured at Mesonet Station XSNJ, South Norfolk Jordan Bridge.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Wind gust of 50 knots (58 mph) was measured at South Norfolk Jordan Bridge.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 3.36 inches was reported.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 7 to 11 inches across the county. Downtown Portsmouth (2 WNW) reported 9.95 inches of rain. Cradock reported 9.61 inches of rain.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Numerous roads were impassable or closed, and some small creeks or streams were out of their banks due to heavy rain causing flash flooding across much of the city.
Flood Flood
Heavy rain caused flooding across much of the county with numerous roads washed out or closed.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals generally ranged from 6 to 11 inches across the county. Churchland (2 NNE) reported 10.11 inches of rain. Cradock reported 10.06 inches of rain. Downtown Portsmouth (2 WNW) reported 8.64 inches of rain.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Several streets were flooded in Old Town Portsmouth with vehicles trapped.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 3.02 inches was reported in 90 minutes.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Rainfall total of 2.14 inches was measured in less than 2 hours.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 |
| 2020 | 8 | 0 |
| 2019 | 4 | 0 |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 8 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 | 0 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 | 5 | 0 |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 |
| 2011 | 9 | 0 |
| 2010 | 7 | 0 |
| 2009 | 12 | 0 |
| 2008 | 7 | 1 |
| 2007 | 4 | 0 |
| 2006 | 7 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 | 0 |
| 2004 | 2 | 0 |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | 4 | 0 |
| 1999 | 9 | 0 |
| 1998 | 6 | 0 |
| 1997 | 3 | 0 |
| 1996 | 9 | 0 |
| 1992 | 3 | 0 |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | 1 | 1 |
| 1959 | 1 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Portsmouth (c) County, measured to its path.
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