Salem (c) County, Virginia
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1998 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
1
Tornado reports
17
Hail reports
21
Floods since 1996
70
All events
1
Deaths
$3.0M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Salem (c) County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 1 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated
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.
Widespread flooding occurred across the City of Salem as several rounds of heavy rainfall occurred over several days. 48-hour rainfall amounts ending 12Z on the 4th ranged from 4 to 6 inches with isolated 8-inch totals. Two mobile home parks in Salem were evacuated due to high wa…
An EF-1 tornado touched down near the intersection of Karen Drive and Joan Circle, where several tree trunks were snapped. Additional trees were snapped and uprooted as the tornado moved east-northeast, with loss of roofing material noted at several homes and apartment buildings …
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds at the 136.1 mile marker of I-81.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds blew down multiple trees along Illinois Avenue.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds downed multiple trees and large limbs, along with powerlines. A car window was damaged, and roof damage occurred to apartment balcony awnings, which were completely removed.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Horners Branch was observed flowing out of its banks up to 3 feet deep across Main Street in the City of Salem. Multiple cars were reported stalled in the floodwaters.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Several roads were reported flooded and impassible in the area surrounding Roanoke College.
Flood Flood
Heavy rainfall, combined with poor drainage, caused standing water around 2.5 feet deep to pool along Kessler Mill Road. No damage was reported to the road, which was open to traffic after the water receded.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds downed a tree near the intersection of Electric Road and Greenridge Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A few trees were blown down from thunderstorm wind gusts.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds blew multiple limbs down along west Riverside Drive, snapped and fell a thirty to fifty foot tall tree, and downed several large trees that blocked Wildwood road near the Food Lion. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds downed multiple limbs and two trees along Apperson Drive near the American Legion. Damage values are estimated.
Flood Flood
The IFLOWS stream gage at Salem Pump Station (SPSV2) crested above Minor flood stage of 7 feet early on the 18th, cresting at 7.60 feet and closing several roads in Salem, including the Mill Lane Bridge.
Flood Flood
The Mill Lane low water bridge in Salem was entirely underwater and portions of W. Riverside Drive was flooded and closed along with several other roads in Salem. The nearby Salem Pump Station IFLOWS gage (SPSV2) crested at around 9.1 feet. Minor flood stage is 7 feet.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
The persistent heavy rains produced a substantial landslide in Salem in the 2400 block of Franklin Street. An eyewitness in a media report described it, 'all of a sudden the land just started moving. The whole point of the mountain started sliding down, trees falling everywhere.'…
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Extremely high sustained rain rates (2-4 inches per hour) became concentrated across parts of the Roanoke area between 1100 AM to 200 PM local time. At 243 PM a rare Flash Flood Emergency was issued for Roanoke City, City of Salem and Roanoke County after consultation with local …
Flood Flood
The Roanoke River through Salem flooded due to the heavy rainfall from Michael and the predecessor rainfall event. Several roads were closed and businesses affected by the flood waters. The Riverwalk Apartments along the Roanoke River in Salem were evacuated and 42 units received…
Flood Flood
The Roanoke River IFLOWS gage at Salem Pump Station (SPSV2) rose above the minor flood stage of 7 feet on the morning of the 23rd and crested at 9.5 feet toward midday. The Mill Lane bridge was closed and flooding occurred along portions of Riverside Drive.
Flood Flood
The Roanoke River IFLOWS gage at Salem Pump Station (SPSV2) rose above the minor flood stage of 7 feet on the morning of the 17th and crested at 10.1 feet. The Mill Lane bridge was closed and flooding occurred along portions of Riverside Drive.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A large limbed was snapped off of a tree along Tennessee Street by thunderstorm winds.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds along Butt Hollow Road, while another was blown down along Shirley Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds near River Road in West Salem.
Hail Hail
Flood Flood
Mill Lane bridge in Salem closed due to flooding from the Roanoke River. The IFLOWS gage at Salem Pump Station (SPSV2) crested at 8.5 feet (Minor Flood Stage = 7 feet) during the early afternoon of the 23rd and remained above flood stage into the morning of 24th.
Flood Flood
Flooding occurred along portions of Mason Creek threatening several mobile home parks but causing no evacuations. The Mason Creek gage (MSCV2) crested at 7.5 feet (Minor Flood Stage = 7 ft.) around midday and remained above flood stage through mid-afternoon.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds on West Riverside Drive near Kingsmill Drive. In addition, a roof was ripped off of a building on Industrial Drive.
Flood Flood
The Roanoke River flooded the Mill Lane bridge in Salem, cresting at the Salem Pump Station (SPSV2) at 8.0 feet (Minor Flood Stage - 7 ft).
Flood Flood
Rainfall was generally 1 to 2 inches across the City of Salem during the day but the heavier rain upstream brought a significant flood wave was downstream along the mainstem Roanoke River through the City. The Salem Pump Station IFLOWS gage (SPSV2) on the Roanoke rose above flood…
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Rainfall was generally 1 to 2 inches across the City of Salem during the day. Several roads were reported closed in the City of Salem. A voluntary evacuation was made from Ramey Mobile Home Park along Mason Creek which crested at 7.5 ft (Flood Stage = 7 ft) at the upstream gage (…
Hail Hail
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Over 18 inches of water was reported flowing across portions of Green Ridge Road as 2 to 3 inches of rain fell in 1 to 2 hours.
Lightning Lightning
Lightning struck a house in the 500 block of Craig Avenue. The strike impacted the electrical system of the house and caused a fire that started in the basement. In addition to damage to the electrical system, the house sustained smoke damage. Firefighting efforts also caused wat…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds damaged two large tents and destroyed another at the Salem Civic Center during a horse show. No people or animals were injured.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
Four to five inches of water was observed flowing over Cravens Creek Road where it crosses Barnhardt Creek.
Flood Flood
A low water bridge on Epperly Lane was flooded.
Flood Flood
Prolonged heavy rainfall caused the Roanoke River to overflow its banks along sections of Riverside Road.
Hail Hail
The Salem Fire Department observed quarter-sized hail on Electric Road, which is approximately four miles west-northwest of Roanoke. A car dealership in Salem reported $1,500 to $2,200 dollars damage to each of their 300 cars from the large hail.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds blew trees down across the City of Salem. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds blew part of large sign down. Damage values are estimated.
Hail Hail
Quarter size hail covered the ground.
Hail Hail
Hail the size of quarters fell in the 400 block of High Street.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds blew several large limbs down on West 4th Street. Also, the winds blew two trees and many limbs down in the 400 block of High Street. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A 66 mph wind gust was measured at the Salem Civic Center.
Hail Hail
Quarter size hail fell between Routes 311 and 419 within the City of Salem. Winds also brought one tree down in this same area. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds blew two trees down at Salem City Hall. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds damaged the roof of a church. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A large tree was blown down and blocked a road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Two large tree limbs were blown down. Damage values are estimated.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | 6 | 0 |
| 2017 | 4 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 4 | 0 |
| 2013 | 7 | 0 |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 |
| 2011 | 8 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | 4 | 0 |
| 2006 | 6 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | 2 | 0 |
| 2003 | 2 | 0 |
| 2002 | 3 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 | 2 | 0 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Salem (c) County, measured to its path.
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