Severe Weather History


High Wind Records Across the U.S.

98,095

Recorded events

23

Counties affected

393

Direct deaths

$15.7B

Property damage

98,095 high wind events are recorded across 23 U.S. counties between 1996 and 2026.

Systematic records for this hazard begin in 1996 — earlier gaps reflect reporting practice, not calm weather.

Most affected

Top counties for high wind

RankCountyEventsDeathsDamage
#1Kern County, California60$25K
#2Los Angeles County, California40$0
#3Kanawha County, West Virginia30$25K
#4Merced County, California20$0
#5Humboldt County, California10$0
#6New York County, New York10$0
#7Rensselaer County, New York10$25K
#8Athens County, Ohio10$20K
#9Lake County, Ohio10$150K
#10Seneca County, Ohio10$0
#11Alfalfa County, Oklahoma10$0
#12Lubbock County, Texas10$0
#13Sierra County, New Mexico10$0
#14Essex County, New Jersey10$0
#15Mendocino County, California10$1K
#16Tulare County, California10$0
#17Fairfield County, Connecticut11$0
#18Lee County, Florida10$15K
#19Polk County, Florida10$3K
#20Gray County, Kansas10$0
#21Cascade County, Montana10$0
#22White Pine County, Nevada10$0
#23Upshur County, West Virginia10$2K
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events · ranked by recorded event count