Jefferson County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Texas Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Jefferson County is about the same as Texas average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Jefferson County is higher than Texas average and is much higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #130
| Jefferson County | 0.01 |
| Texas | 0.04 |
| 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 |
| Texas | 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, #43
| Jefferson County | 249.25 |
| Texas | 208.58 |
| 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 5,928 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: | 0 | Cold: | 4 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 56 |
| Dust Storm: | 3 | Flood: | 720 | Hail: | 1,809 | Heat: | 16 | Heavy Snow: | 11 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 18 | Ice Storm: | 13 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 41 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 2,818 | Tropical Storm: | 24 | Wildfire: | 4 | Winter Storm: | 16 | Winter Weather: | 28 |
| Other: | 347 | ||||||||
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 55 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 |
| 5.9 | 1972-05-12 | 2 | 29°55'N / 94°15'W | 29°55'N / 93°55'W | 19.90 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 8.9 | 1973-05-26 | 2 | 29°57'N / 94°18'W | 29°52'N / 94°16'W | 6.20 Miles | 167 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 9.5 | 1956-11-05 | 2 | 29°54'N / 94°00'W | 0.20 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 9.5 | 1957-11-07 | 3 | 29°54'N / 94°00'W | 1.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 9.8 | 1969-03-23 | 3 | 29°48'N / 94°18'W | 0.50 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 9.8 | 1970-02-01 | 2 | 29°48'N / 94°18'W | 0.10 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 9.9 | 1974-10-28 | 2 | 29°51'N / 93°59'W | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson | |||
| 10.7 | 1983-05-20 | 2 | 29°57'N / 94°02'W | 29°58'N / 94°00'W | 3.00 Miles | 167 Yards | 1 | 9 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson |
| 10.9 | 1972-11-13 | 2 | 29°51'N / 93°58'W | 2.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 11.6 | 1970-10-11 | 2 | 29°47'N / 93°58'W | 29°52'N / 93°57'W | 6.10 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson |
| 13.3 | 1959-07-02 | 2 | 29°54'N / 93°56'W | 0.10 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 13.4 | 1980-09-06 | 2 | 29°59'N / 93°59'W | 0.10 Mile | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 13.6 | 1957-03-17 | 2 | 29°57'N / 93°57'W | 0.90 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 14.8 | 1981-04-23 | 2 | 30°02'N / 94°20'W | 30°05'N / 94°07'W | 13.40 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 15.0 | 1974-10-28 | 2 | 30°04'N / 94°06'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Jefferson | |||
| 15.2 | 1979-10-22 | 2 | 30°04'N / 94°13'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 15.4 | 1974-10-28 | 3 | 29°38'N / 94°22'W | 29°45'N / 94°17'W | 9.60 Miles | 67 Yards | 1 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Chambers |
| 15.4 | 1968-02-01 | 2 | 29°56'N / 93°55'W | 29°56'N / 93°54'W | 1.30 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 16.0 | 1983-01-31 | 3 | 30°05'N / 94°11'W | 1.00 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 1 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 16.1 | 1957-11-07 | 3 | 29°57'N / 93°56'W | 29°58'N / 93°53'W | 3.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 2 | 59 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson |
| 17.2 | 1967-07-13 | 2 | 30°06'N / 94°06'W | 0.10 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 17.7 | 1974-10-28 | 2 | 30°03'N / 94°06'W | 30°10'N / 94°07'W | 8.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 18.0 | 1970-10-11 | 3 | 29°55'N / 93°53'W | 29°58'N / 93°51'W | 4.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 19 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson |
| 19.3 | 1999-01-01 | 2 | 29°58'N / 94°25'W | 30°02'N / 94°26'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 175K | 0 | Liberty |
| Brief Description: The tornado appeared to have formed just on the other side of a canal in the Dunning's Farm area. At this point three large houses were completely destroyed with widespread tree damage. The tornado moved NE and dragged heavy farm tractors (approximately 50000 lbs) over 10 to 15 feet. The tornado moved across a wide open field and crossed into Jefferson county. | |||||||||||
| 20.0 | 1964-08-05 | 2 | 29°42'N / 93°52'W | 0.20 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson | |
| 20.3 | 1999-01-01 | 3 | 30°00'N / 94°27'W | 30°03'N / 94°24'W | 5.50 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 5 | 500K | 0 | Jefferson |
| Brief Description: A strong tornado that developed in Liberty County moved into western Jefferson County, destroying several rice dryers, two mobile homes, and a brick house. Five people were injured in the mobile homes and brick house. Two people received broken necks and other injuries after they were ejected from one of the mobile homes. A fiberglass tub from the destroyed brick home was found one mile away. Cancelled checks and other paperwork were found seven miles away in southern Hardin County. This tornado was strongest southwest of Nome, and was weakening as it passed through the small community of Nome. At least 20 homes received minor damage such as shingles blown off, and many trees were blown down. | |||||||||||
| 21.0 | 1974-10-28 | 2 | 29°31'N / 94°29'W | 29°47'N / 94°20'W | 20.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Chambers |
| 21.0 | 1956-02-14 | 2 | 29°59'N / 93°57'W | 30°13'N / 93°56'W | 16.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 21.2 | 1965-01-22 | 2 | 29°35'N / 94°19'W | 0.10 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Shelby | |
| 23.9 | 1957-11-07 | 4 | 30°06'N / 93°44'W | 29°58'N / 93°53'W | 12.90 Miles | 200 Yards | 1 | 81 | 2.5M | 0 | Orange |
| 24.4 | 1964-03-19 | 2 | 30°08'N / 94°24'W | 0.20 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hardin | |
| 25.3 | 1994-11-05 | 2 | 30°09'N / 94°24'W | 2.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Hardin | |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down 1.5 miles NNW of Sour Lake and moved toward the northeast for 2 miles, crossing State Highway 326 in the process. It tracked across open fields and the only damage was to trees and fencing along the path. The tornado path averaged around 50 yards wide, increasing to nearly 0.5 miles wide at one point. The tornado was viewed by several hunters, one of whom was slightly injured when she was blown out of her stand as it passed nearby. | |||||||||||
| 25.6 | 1974-10-28 | 2 | 30°10'N / 94°07'W | 30°17'N / 94°09'W | 8.40 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hardin |
| 26.3 | 1970-01-10 | 2 | 30°10'N / 94°24'W | 1.00 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Hardin | |
| 27.8 | 1952-02-01 | 2 | 30°05'N / 93°46'W | 1.00 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Orange | |
| 28.6 | 1981-06-05 | 2 | 29°46'N / 93°41'W | 0.10 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Cameron | |
| 33.3 | 1969-05-27 | 3 | 29°47'N / 94°42'W | 1.50 Miles | 67 Yards | 3 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Chambers | |
| 33.7 | 1983-05-20 | 3 | 29°45'N / 93°36'W | 29°50'N / 93°35'W | 5.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cameron |
| 36.0 | 1973-04-17 | 3 | 30°10'N / 93°40'W | 0.50 Mile | 10 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Calcasieu | |
| 39.3 | 1973-05-26 | 2 | 30°07'N / 94°52'W | 30°01'N / 94°39'W | 14.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 4 | 250K | 0 | Liberty |
| 39.3 | 1999-01-02 | 2 | 30°21'N / 93°58'W | 30°26'N / 93°54'W | 8.00 Miles | 800 Yards | 1 | 10 | 1.3M | 0 | Jasper |
| Brief Description: An F2 tornado moved across southern Jasper County. At least 15 homes were destroyed, 20 received major damage, and 10 received minor damage. The worst hit area was Callier Loop, south of Buna. The fatality occurred here. A tied down mobile home rolled over at least five times, ejecting a man 100 yards and a woman 500 yards. The man received a broken back and other serious injuries, while the woman died a few days later from a broken neck, back, and internal injuries. Debris from this home was spread over a mile across the fields. Brick walls were cracked in permanent homes, pickup trucks were lifted in the air and pushed 20 feet from where they originally were parked, and any mobile home situated lengthwise north to south was rolled over and destroyed. There were several stories of people being ejected from their mobile homes, and walking away with minor injuries. This tornado moved into Newton County. Total path length for both Jasper and Newton Counties is 12.5 miles. F55MH | |||||||||||
| 40.4 | 1979-10-22 | 2 | 29°46'N / 93°29'W | 1.00 Mile | 550 Yards | 0 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Cameron | |
| 40.5 | 1961-09-12 | 3 | 30°09'N / 94°44'W | 0.50 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Liberty | |
| 42.3 | 1981-06-05 | 2 | 29°32'N / 94°45'W | 1.50 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Chambers | |
| 44.4 | 1982-05-06 | 2 | 29°57'N / 94°53'W | 0.50 Mile | 37 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Liberty | |
| 44.6 | 2004-11-23 | 2 | 30°29'N / 94°10'W | 30°31'N / 94°09'W | 3.00 Miles | 600 Yards | 1 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Hardin |
| Brief Description: A second tornado touched down in northeastern Hardin County, was was witnessed by many people. Residents could see both tornadoes on the ground for a brief time. One elderly woman was killed when several large trees fell on the mobile home she was in. Between 10 and 20 homes were damaged or destroyed, mainly near Highway 92 near the Hardin-Tyler county line. F77MH | |||||||||||
| 45.6 | 1974-10-28 | 2 | 29°46'N / 93°28'W | 29°49'N / 93°19'W | 9.70 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Cameron |
| 46.3 | 1967-05-01 | 2 | 30°04'N / 94°53'W | 1.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Liberty | |
| 46.7 | 1957-03-17 | 2 | 29°25'N / 94°49'W | 29°28'N / 94°43'W | 7.10 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 4 | 0K | 0 | Galveston |
| 47.4 | 1959-05-21 | 3 | 29°23'N / 94°46'W | 29°25'N / 94°43'W | 4.30 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Galveston |
| 47.9 | 2004-11-23 | 2 | 30°31'N / 94°04'W | 30°34'N / 94°01'W | 8.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 1.0M | Jasper |
| Brief Description: As the tornado moved into rural sections of Jasper County, it snapped numerous trees, causing a large loss to the timber industry. Several homes were destroyed, but no one was injured. | |||||||||||
| 48.1 | 1983-12-10 | 2 | 30°30'N / 94°33'W | 30°34'N / 94°06'W | 26.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Tyler |
| 49.2 | 1992-11-21 | 4 | 29°57'N / 95°00'W | 30°05'N / 94°54'W | 10.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Liberty |
| 49.4 | 1982-05-13 | 3 | 30°30'N / 94°03'W | 30°37'N / 93°57'W | 8.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 1 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Jasper |
| 49.5 | 1984-05-20 | 3 | 29°48'N / 93°21'W | 29°48'N / 93°18'W | 3.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Cameron |
* 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.