Every tornado, hurricane, flood, blizzard, heat wave, record, earthquake, eruption, tsunami, wildfire and geomagnetic storm on record for September 18, in any year, each linked to its full record.
← September 17TodaySeptember 19 →
Every event with a place, colored by kind. Tap one to open its record.
By deaths, damage and strength together, across every archive.
Earthquakes
An earthquake struck Antakya, Dimashq (Damascus), Turkey, Syria. It killed 50,000 people and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
An unnamed storm crossed the coast near Seabrook Island, SC as a category 1 hurricane, 75 kt (85 mph), central pressure 977 mb. It killed 4,078 people in all. The Okeechobee hurricane of 1928, also known as the San Felipe Segundo hurricane and Florida's Forgotten Storm, was one of the deadliest hurricanes in the recorded history of the North Atlantic basin, and the fourth deadliest hurricane in the United States, only behind the 1900 Galveston hurricane, 1899 San Ciriaco hurricane, and Hurricane Maria in 2017.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Sikkim, Nepal, China, Bhutan, India. It killed 127 people, injured 441 and did $2.1 billion in damage.
Billion-dollar disasters
A tropical cyclone disaster that cost $9.3 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 55, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from September 18, 2003 to September 19, 2003.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Arica, Tacna, Chile, Peru, Peru-Chile. It killed 700 people, injured 25, destroyed 1,001 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage. It caused a tsunami.
Tsunamis
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck S. Peru, with a maximum water height of 9 meters. It killed 700 people, injured 25, destroyed 1,001 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
Hurricane Fiona crossed the coast as a category 1 hurricane, 75 kt (85 mph), central pressure 986 mb. It killed 7 people in all, by the National Hurricane Center’s count. Hurricane Fiona was a large, powerful, and destructive tropical cyclone in mid-to-late September 2022. The storm affected many Caribbean countries, Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
Hurricane Teddy reached its peak of 120 kt (140 mph) with a central pressure of 945 mb, a category 4 storm.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
Hurricane Gordon crossed the coast near Cedar Key, FL as a tropical storm, 55 kt, central pressure 991 mb. It killed 26 people in all. Hurricane Gordon caused minor damage in the Eastern United States. The seventh named storm and fourth hurricane of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season, Gordon developed in the extreme western Caribbean Sea from a tropical wave on September 14.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
An unnamed storm crossed the coast near Cutler, FL as a category 4 hurricane, 125 kt (145 mph), central pressure 930 mb. S. Gulf Coast in September 1926, accruing a US$100 million damage toll.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
Hurricane Hugo crossed the coast as a category 4 hurricane, 120 kt (140 mph), central pressure 940 mb. Hurricane Hugo was a powerful tropical cyclone that inflicted widespread destruction across the northeastern Caribbean and the Southeastern United States in September 1989. The eleventh tropical cyclone, eighth named storm, sixth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season, Hugo arose from a cluster of thunderstorms near Cape Verde on September 10, 1989.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Earthquakes
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Guatemala City, Pachuta, Solola. It killed 25 people, injured 200 and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
27 on September 18, oldest first.
An F2 tornado touched down in Crawford County, Iowa, killing 1. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: E Manilla, IA.
An F3 tornado touched down in Saint Lucie County, Florida and tracked 0.1 miles, 10 yards wide at its widest, killing 2 and injuring 2.
An F3 tornado touched down in Jewell, Nuckolls, Republic counties, Kansas and tracked 7 miles, 500 yards wide at its widest, injuring 7.
The tornado moved over open farmland. The tornado continued and moved into Finney County.
Tornado touched down in a field then took half the roof off a country store in Cope spreading debri downstream. Power lines downed.
Tornado took roof off a mobile home in the Longwood area. Tornado then moved east across the road and damaged some playground equipment by a school, shifted a mobile home off its footings, jumped over a house and then destroyed another mobile home.
An F3 tornado touched down in Morrison, Mille Lacs counties, Minnesota and tracked 17 miles, 800 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 1.
Several buildings destroyed and numerous other buildings damaged. Hundreds of trees down. A number of cattle killed in barn collapse. One man injured when the tornado engulfed his car and threw it into a nearby woods. A second man critically injured when his garage collapsed.
A large line of strong to severe thunderstorms developed over western Oklahoma during the late afternoon of the 18th and moved eastward as the evening progressed.
A low pressure system moved towards northern Illinois during the evening hours, causing thunderstorms to develop in the afternoon and evening hours across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.
A weak surface low pressure system strengthened into Tropical Storm Imelda just after noon on September 17th around 15 miles south southwest of Freeport. Imelda moved onshore near Freeport and quickly weakened to a tropical depression.
On 18 September 2022, a small but significant and fatal tornado outbreak began in Eastern Ukraine and moved into Russia, producing at least 8 tornadoes, including an intense F3 tornado and three possible, unconfirmed tornadoes. On 19 September, a significant tornado occurred in Russia, with another possible, unconfirmed tornado and severe straight-line thunderstorm wind damage.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
32 on September 18, oldest first.
An unnamed storm crossed the coast as a category 2 hurricane, 90 kt (105 mph).
An unnamed storm crossed the coast as a category 1 hurricane, 70 kt (80 mph).
The 1894 Greater Antilles hurricane, also known as the San Mateo storm in Puerto Rico and the Huracan de Sagua la Grande in Cuba, caused significant impacts in Hispaniola, Cuba, and along the East Coast of the United States, especially in Florida. The fourth known tropical cyclone and second hurricane of the season, this system was first observed well east of the Lesser Antilles on September 18.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
An unnamed storm crossed the coast near Cutler, FL as a category 4 hurricane, 125 kt (145 mph), central pressure 930 mb. S. Gulf Coast in September 1926, accruing a US$100 million damage toll.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
An unnamed storm crossed the coast near Seabrook Island, SC as a category 1 hurricane, 75 kt (85 mph), central pressure 977 mb. It killed 4,078 people in all. The Okeechobee hurricane of 1928, also known as the San Felipe Segundo hurricane and Florida's Forgotten Storm, was one of the deadliest hurricanes in the recorded history of the North Atlantic basin, and the fourth deadliest hurricane in the United States, only behind the 1900 Galveston hurricane, 1899 San Ciriaco hurricane, and Hurricane Maria in 2017.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Hurricane Greta:olivia reached its peak of 115 kt (130 mph) with a central pressure of 947 mb, a category 4 storm.
Hurricane Kay reached its peak of 120 kt (140 mph), a category 4 storm.
Hurricane Debby reached its peak of 115 kt (130 mph) with a central pressure of 950 mb, a category 4 storm.
Hurricane Hugo crossed the coast as a category 4 hurricane, 120 kt (140 mph), central pressure 940 mb. Hurricane Hugo was a powerful tropical cyclone that inflicted widespread destruction across the northeastern Caribbean and the Southeastern United States in September 1989. The eleventh tropical cyclone, eighth named storm, sixth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season, Hugo arose from a cluster of thunderstorms near Cape Verde on September 10, 1989.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Hurricane Gert crossed the coast near Belize City, Belize District, Belize as a tropical storm, 35 kt, central pressure 1000 mb. Hurricane Gert was a large and deadly tropical cyclone that caused extensive flooding and mudslides throughout Central America and Mexico in September 1993. The seventh named storm and third hurricane of the annual hurricane season, Gert originated as a tropical depression from a tropical wave over the southwestern Caribbean Sea on September 14.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Hurricane Gordon crossed the coast near Cedar Key, FL as a tropical storm, 55 kt, central pressure 991 mb. It killed 26 people in all. Hurricane Gordon caused minor damage in the Eastern United States. The seventh named storm and fourth hurricane of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season, Gordon developed in the extreme western Caribbean Sea from a tropical wave on September 14.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
On September 18, 2003, Hurricane Isabel made landfall on the North Carolina Coast. Its huge wind field was already piling water up into the southern Chesapeake Bay. By the time Isabel moved into central Virginia, it had weakened and was downgraded to a tropical storm.
Hurricane Isabel was a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed the Wakefield WFO county warning area. Sustained tropical storm force winds with frequent gusts to hurricane force occurred over Eastern Virginia, along and near the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coastal Waters.
Tropical Storm Isabel produced tropical storm force sustained winds and wind gusts over the piedmont of central and south central Virginia, as it crossed the Wakefield WFO county warning area.
Tropical Storm Isabel produced strong power outage producing winds, moderate tidal flooding along the Delaware Bay and the Delaware River and erosion and rough surf along the shore. Two deaths were directly attributed to the storm.
Hurricane Isabel was a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed the Wakefield WFO county warning area. Sustained tropical storm force winds with frequent gusts to hurricane force occurred over interior southeast Virginia.
On September 18, 2003, Hurricane Isabel made landfall on the North Carolina Coast. Its huge wind field was already piling water up into the southern Chesapeake Bay. By the time Isabel moved into central Virginia, it had weakened and was downgraded to a tropical storm.
Hurricane Isabel was a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed the Wakefield WFO county warning area. Sustained tropical storm force winds with frequent gusts to hurricane force occurred over coastal northeast North Carolina.
Hurricane Isabel shut down Washington, DC on Thursday September 18 and Friday September 19. The city had days of preparation and many people including non-emergency government personnel were told to stay home. Tropical storm force winds spread north into the area by 4 pm.
Hurricane Isabel made landfall along the Outer Banks just north of Cape Lookout around 1 pm on September 18, 2003. The eye of the storm tracked northeast passing over eastern Halifax County. Winds gusts to near Hurricane force were recorded over Halifax county.
Tropical Storm Isabel caused a record breaking tide and storm surge up the Chesapeake Bay, heavy rain and strong power outage producing winds. Isabel made landfall as a hurricane near Drum Inlet, North Carolina around 100 p.m.
Tropical Storm Isabel produced strong power outage producing winds, moderate tidal flooding along the Delaware River and stream flooding in Chester County. Isabel made landfall as a hurricane near Drum Inlet, North Carolina around 100 p.m.
Hurricane Isabel crossed the coast near Atlantic, NC as a category 2 hurricane, 90 kt (105 mph), central pressure 957 mb. Hurricane Isabel was a large and powerful Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that struck the east coast of the United States in September 2003. The ninth named storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Isabel formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on September 6 from a tropical wave.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Tropical Storm Isabel caused tidal flooding up Delaware Bay, heavy rain and strong power outage producing winds. Isabel made landfall as a hurricane near Drum Inlet, North Carolina around 100 p.m. EDT on the 18th and weakened as it tracked farther inland.
As Hurricane Isabel moved northwest toward the southern Mid Atlantic States, a strong high pressure system built over Northern New England. As the pressure gradient increased, strong northeast winds developed across the region Thursday, September 18th.
Hurricane Isabel was a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed the Wakefield WFO county warning area. Sustained tropical storm force winds with gusts to hurricane force occurred over the piedmont of northeast North Carolina.
As Hurricane Isabel weakened to a tropical storm, winds were sustained during the mid afternoon and early evening at up to 50 to 60 mph with gusts near 70 mph.
Hurricane Isabel was a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed the Wakefield WFO county warning area. Isabel produced tropical storm force sustained winds and wind gusts over the Lower Maryland Eastern Shore.
Hurricane Kenneth reached its peak of 115 kt (130 mph) with a central pressure of 947 mb, a category 4 storm.
Hurricane Wipha reached its peak of 135 kt (155 mph) with a central pressure of 922 mb, a category 4 storm.
Hurricane Teddy reached its peak of 120 kt (140 mph) with a central pressure of 945 mb, a category 4 storm.
Hurricane Fiona crossed the coast as a category 1 hurricane, 75 kt (85 mph), central pressure 986 mb. It killed 7 people in all, by the National Hurricane Center’s count. Hurricane Fiona was a large, powerful, and destructive tropical cyclone in mid-to-late September 2022. The storm affected many Caribbean countries, Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
61 on September 18, oldest first.
A young boy was pulled unconscious from Waco Creek after being swept away by an eight foot flood bore produced by locally heavy rain in the area. The boy was in the water for nearly an hour and suffered major brain damage from lack of oxygen.
Widespread street flooding in downtown Houston and Pasadena. Water made its way into homes and businesses in Pasadena causing over $1 million in damage.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon passed over Georgetown county. Based on spotter reports and radar estimates, over 8 inches of rain fell in a short period of time in the town of Georgetown.
Between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. up to 6 to 11 inches of rain fell across Onslow county. Eleven inches of rain fell over Camp Lejeune causing major flooding in hte French Creek area. About 12 cars were flooded along with some residenaces nd the fire station. By 340 p.m.
A cluster of thunderstorms weakened while moving into Northeast Iowa toward the noon hour near and northwest of Cedar Rapids. An isolated single cell continued to track east however, and with the mid afternoon heating intensified over Jones County.
By 9 pm on September 18, a rain band associated with Isabel had set up over the Shenandoah Valley and showers were training southward into the Blue Ridge Mountains on the east side of Augusta County.
On September 18, 2003, Hurricane Isabel made landfall on the North Carolina Coast. It moved northwest across Virginia and by 5 am on September 19, the center was over the heart of the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. Fortunately the storm had greatly weakened by this point.
On September 18, 2003, Hurricane Isabel made landfall on the North Carolina Coast. Its wind field extended for hundreds of miles from the storm's center. As bad as it was across Maryland and Virginia, it could have been much worse. The air at the surface was relatively cool.
Flooding along the South River as a result of Hurricane Isabel caused significant damage to property and infrastructure from the northern Rockbridge county border downstream to the South River's confluence with the Maury River.
Heavy rain with amounts of 4.0 to 6.5 inches caused major flash flooding. Almost all of the streams and creeks came out of their banks. In addition, the Susquehanna River also caused major flooding. Solomon's Creek in Wilkes-Barre Township was the first to flood.
The remnants of Hurricane Ivan interacting with a slowly moving cold front caused widespread very heavy rain to fall during the first half of the day on the 18th in Warren County. Storm totals average 3 to 6 inches with locally higher amounts throughout the county.
The remnants of Hurricane Ivan interacting with a slowly moving cold front caused widespread very heavy in the upper part of Bucks County during the first half of the day on the 18th. Very heavy rain also fell in the upper and middle sections of the Delaware River Valley.
Heavy rain with amounts of 4.5 to 7.5 inches caused flash flooding. The rain which fell from the 16th to the 18th was due to the remnants of hurricane Ivan. All creeks and streams were out of their banks. In addition, the Lackawanna River had major flooding.
The remnants of Hurricane Ivan interacting with a slowly moving cold front caused widespread very heavy rain to fall from the late evening of the 17th through the first half of the day on the 18th in Monroe County.
Heavy rain with amounts of 3 to 6 inches caused flash flooding. The heaviest amounts were at the highest elevations in the northwest section of the county. The rain which fell from the 16th to the 18th was due to the remnants of hurricane Ivan.
Heavy rain with amounts of 3.5 to 6 inches caused flash flooding. The rain which fell from the 16th to the 18th was due to the remnants of hurricane Ivan. Most creeks and streams went out of their banks. In addition, the Delaware and Lackawaxen Rivers had major flooding.
Heavy rain with amounts of 5 to 7 inches caused flash flooding. The rain which fell from the 16th to the 18th was due to the remnants of hurricane Ivan. Most creeks and streams went out of their banks. In addition, the Delaware and Lackawaxen Rivers had major flooding.
Heavy rain with amounts of 4 to 6 inches caused flash flooding. The rain which fell from the 16th to the 18th was due to the remnants of hurricane Ivan. Most streams and creeks went out of their banks.
The remnants of Hurricane Ivan interacting with a slowly moving cold front caused widespread very heavy rain to fall from late in the evening on the 17th until around 10 a.m. EDT on the 18th.
By 1 AM EDT on 18th, Rte 20 closed by flood, from Reader to Folsom; and intersection of Rtes 7 and 20, southeast of New Martinsville. Rte 2 closed because of river flood. Entire 1st floor of Valley High School damaged, since it sits between 2 branches of Fishing Creek.
Damaging gradient winds in the early morning hours of 18 Nov 2004 behind the exiting remnants of hurricane Ivan downed numerous trees and power lines. 2000 people were without power in Ashe Co. Locally heavy rain around the Foscoe area of Watauga Co.
The remnants of Hurricane Ivan interacting with a slowly moving cold front caused widespread very heavy rain to fall during the first half of the day on the 18th in Lehigh County.
The north branch of the Susquehanna River at Wilkes-Barre rose above its flood stage of 22 feet midday on the 18th, crested at 35.0 feet at 1:00 AM on the 19th, then slowly fell to be below its flood stage midday on the 20th. This was the third highest crest on record.
The remnants of Hurricane Ivan interacting with a slowly moving cold front caused widespread very heavy rain to fall during the first half of the day on the 18th in Northampton County.
Local areas of heavy rainfall developed within a tropical-like environment across much of south-central Arizona. Locally windy conditions preceded the showers and thunderstorms during the late afternoon hours.
The Delaware River at Barryville went above its flood stage of 17 feet the morning of the 18th, crested at 24.1 feet at 3:15 PM EST on the 18th, then fell back below the flood stage late morning on the 19th.
The remnants of Hurricane Ivan interacting with a slowly moving cold front caused very heavy rain to fall during the late morning and early afternoon of the 18th in the eastern part of the county. Flooding was reported along the Big Elk Creek along Maryland State Route 7.
The Delaware River at Callicoon, NY rose above its flood stage of 12 feet the morning of the 18th, crested at 17.3 feet at 4:45 PM on the 18th, then fell below the flood stage the morning of the 19th. Rainfall amounts were 4 to 7 inches due to the remnants of hurricane Ivan.
The Delaware River at Callicoon, NY (near Abrahamsville, PA) rose above its flood stage of 12 feet the morning of the 18th, crested at 17.3 feet at 4:45 PM on the 18th, then fell below the flood stage the morning of the 19th.
The north branch of the Susquehanna River at Vestal rose above its flood stage of 18 feet early on the 18th, crested at 26.0 feet at 5:30 PM on the 18th, then slowly fell to be below its flood stage the evening of the 19th. This was the ninth highest crest on record.
The north branch of the Susquehanna River at Waverly, NY and Sayre, PA rose above its flood stage of 11 feet early on the 18th, crested at 18.8 feet at 11:30 PM on the 18th, then slowly fell to be below its flood stage late morning on the 20th.
The Delaware River at Port Jervis, NY (near Matamoras, PA) rose above its flood stage of 18 feet during the afternoon on the 18th, crested at 19.5 feet at 4:45 PM on the 18th, then fell below its flood stage early in the morning of the 19th.
The Susquehanna River at Meshoppen rose above its flood stage of 27 feet early on the 18th, crested at 35.3 feet at 6:15 PM on the 18th, then slowly fell to be below its flood stage early in the morning of the 20th. This was the third highest crest on record.
The Delaware River at Montague, NJ (near Milford, PA) rose above its flood stage of 25 feet during the afternoon on the 18th, crested at 28.4 feet at 10:15 PM on the 18th, then fell below its flood stage the morning of the 19th.
The north branch of the Susquehanna River at Towanda rose above its flood stage of 16 feet early on the 18th, crested at 22.3 feet at 7:16 PM on the 18th, then slowly fell to be below its flood stage early evening on the 19th.
The north branch of the Susquehanna River at Binghamton rose above its flood stage of 14 feet early on the 18th, crested at 17.1 feet at 3:30 PM on the 18th, then fell to be below its flood stage on the 19th.
Heavy rain with amounts of 3 to 5 inches in the southern half of the county caused flash flooding. The rain which fell from the 16th to the 18th was due to the remnants of hurricane Ivan. Some of the creeks and streams came out of their banks.
Heavy rain with amounts of 3 to 4.5 inches in the southeast half of the county caused flash flooding. The rain which fell from the 16th to the 18th was due to the remnants of hurricane Ivan. A trailer park near Oneonta started experiencing severe flooding around 4:30 AM.
The Lackawanna River at Old Forge rose above its flood stage of 11 feet early on the 18th, crested at 16.7 feet at 3:30 PM on the 18th, then fell below its flood stage in the evening also on the 18th. This was the third highest crest on record.
The Tunkhannock Creek at Tunkhannock rose above its flood stage of 11 feet early on the 18th, crested at 19.7 feet at 3:30 PM on the 18th, then fell below its flood stage around midnight on the 19th. This was the second highest crest on record.
The north branch of the Susquehanna River at Waverly, NY and Sayre, PA rose above its flood stage of 11 feet early on the 18th, crested at 18.8 feet at 11:30 PM on the 18th, then slowly fell to be below its flood stage late morning on the 20th.
The Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls rose above its flood stage of 10 feet early on the morning of the 18th, crested at 17.7 feet at 11:00 AM on the 18th, then fell below the flood stage late evening also on the 18th.
The East Branch of the Delaware River at Fishs Eddy rose above its flood stage of 15 feet the morning of the 18th, crested at 21.0 feet at 12:45 PM on the 18th, then fell below the flood stage midday on the 19th.
The Susquehanna River at Bainbridge went above its flood stage of 13 feet on the 18th, crested at 15.1 feet on the 18th at 2 PM EST, then fell below the flood stage midday on the 19th. The flooding was due to 2 to 5 inches of rain which fell on the 17th and 18th.
The Delaware River at Barryville, NY (near Shohola, PA) went above its flood stage of 17 feet the morning of the 18th, crested at 24.1 feet at 3:15 PM EST on the 18th, then fell back below the flood stage late morning on the 19th.
The remnants of Hurricane Ivan interacting with a slowly moving cold front caused widespread very heavy rain to fall from the late evening of the 17th through the first half of the day on the 18th in Sussex County.
The remnants of Hurricane Ivan interacting with a slowly moving cold front caused widespread very heavy in the upper and middle sections of the Delaware River Valley.
The wet weather pattern continued and more rainfall fell across already soaked portions of the forecast area. As the upper level disturbance continued to impact the region, locally heavy rains occurred across portions of Sunflower and Kemper Counties.
A quasi-stationary front was located south of Iowa as an upper level shortwave advanced across the area in strong westerly flow aloft. The atmosphere was somewhat unstable, albeit the instability was elevated in nature.
A warm and unstable airmass was located over the region, during the afternoon and evening hours of September 18, 2010. A cold front moved southeast across the area in the afternoon and evening hours.
A strong cold front moved through southern New England, resulting in a line of thunderstorms that produced strong to severe winds. In addition, a strong low level jet produced gusty strong to high winds with the front.
During the mid afternoon of September 18th a line of thunderstorms dropped southeast across northeastern Illinois producing strong winds. During the evening, a second round of thunderstorms trained over the Chicago metropolitan area producing large hail and minor flooding.
Historical rains fell across the front range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains September 9th-15th. These rains, which totaled over the yearly average across this area which totaled up to 17 inches in places fell largely within the South Platte River basin.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Odile continued to pump mid-level moisture into South Central Texas and a stationary boundary moved into this tropical moisture. This produced thunderstorms that in turn produced heavy rain and led to flash flooding.
There was moisture coming into the region from Tropical Storm Odile over northern Mexico/southern New Mexico. This made the air mass very moist. Upper level disturbances were moving over the area from Odile which increased atmospheric lift.
More heavy rainfall was seen across the area, primarily situated over the northern third of the state, as a surface boundary sat across central Iowa and a shortwave moved through the upper level flow.
A warm front positioned over Northeast Pennsylvania acted as the focus for several rounds of late night and early morning thunderstorm activity in the area.
Imelda moved inland southwest of Galveston, Texas as a minimal tropical storm then meandered over Southeast Texas over the next couple days while weakening.
A tropical air mass covered Alabama on September 18-19 with precipitable water values over 2 inches. An nearly stationary upper low near the Texas and Louisiana state line provided lift and instability for showers and thunderstorms across the Central Gulf States.
An unstable atmosphere in addition to abundant moisture allowed persistent heavy rain to develop over the Big Island Kona slopes. This heavy rainfall led to flash flooding with multiple properties reportedly flooded.
Moisture from the remnants of Pacific Tropical Storm Mario fueled scattered thunderstorms, many of which produced flash flooding.
9 on September 18, oldest first.
Two people were injured just west of Weatherford on September 18, 1978, when severe thunderstorm winds demolished the mobile home in which they resided. One required hospitalization. Winds were estimated at around 60 mph.
From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.
An early morning severe thunderstorm dumped hail up to golfball size in Beecher Island (14 miles south of Yuma). The hail broke windows and damaged vehicles as well as destroying crops.
One man died after lightning struck him and a friend while the two were bow hunting. The two were hunting between Crooked Creek and Barrel Springs when a thunderstorm moved overhead. The two took cover under a tree. Lightning struck the pair knocking both unconscious.
A very unstable air mass was located over Iowa during the afternoon of the 18th. Low pressure moved across the northern U.S. with a trailing cold front extending south from the low. A warm front had lifted north into Iowa during the afternoon.
Severe thunderstorms caused wind damage in Charlestown and Colora. Two people were killed in Colora after a large tree fell onto the house they were sleeping in. About six large trees were uprooted in Colora. Two other homes were damaged by fallen trees.
A strong cold front was slowly sagging through southern Wisconsin during the early morning hours of September 18th.
A southward moving cold front and an upper level trough combined to aid in the development of a line of severe thunderstorms that primarily affected locations east of Interstate 35.
Strong south winds preceding an approaching squall line and cold front caused pockets of wind damage across New Jersey during the second half of the morning through the middle of the afternoon on the 18th. Peak wind gusts averaged 45 and 55 mph.
This was the last of five significant severe hail events this month, in terms of size and the number of reports. Each of these events contained at least one report of 2 inch hail or greater.
1 on September 18, oldest first.
A hiker died of hypothermia after being caught in the a snowstorm in Fresno County portion of the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. The base camp was at the 12000 foot elevation west of Bishop (Inyo County). The hiker and a friend were unprepared for winter-like weather.
1 on September 18, oldest first.
Hot temperatures around 8 degrees above normal caused the Moderate Heat Risk category to be reached. One heat-related fatality was reported by the Pima County Medical Examiner in the Tumacacori-Carmen area.
28 on September 18, oldest first.
The Lake Creek Fire started on September 18, 1984, in Montana, and burned 3,613 acres.
The Sob Fire started on September 18, 1987, in Idaho, and burned 5,144 acres.
The Blue Ridge Fire started on September 18, 1988, in California, and burned 5,126 acres.
The Rock Fire started on September 18, 1991, in California, and burned 1,114 acres.
The Barkley Fire was discovered on September 18, 1994, in California, and burned 44,683 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.
The Lmu LGT66 Fire was discovered on September 18, 1994, in California, and burned 1,025 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.
The Mahog Gap Fire was discovered on September 18, 1995, in Oregon, and burned 1,000 acres; the cause was recorded as equipment and vehicle use.
The Kibbie 2 Fire started on September 18, 1997, in California, and burned 2,482 acres.
The West Mountain II Fire was discovered on September 18, 1998, in Utah, and burned 1,316 acres; the cause was recorded as smoking.
The Grandview Fire was discovered on September 18, 1999, in Power County, Idaho, and burned 23,007 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.
A wildfire ignited east of Chico and was pushed by strong winds. High temperatures and low humidities assisted the rapid spread which led to some evacuations and fourteen structure losses. By containment, 1835 acres had burned.
The Hasnohorse Fire was discovered on September 18, 2000, in Nebraska, and burned 9,600 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.
The Bristow Complex was discovered on September 18, 2000, in Oklahoma, and burned 5,900 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Unnamed Fire started on September 18, 2000, in Nebraska, and burned 2,271 acres.
The Novotny and Wagner Fire was discovered on September 18, 2000, in South Dakota, and burned 1,500 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.
The Perez Fire was discovered on September 18, 2000, in De Baca County, New Mexico, and burned 1,000 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.
The Foster and Novotny Fire was discovered on September 18, 2000, in South Dakota, and burned 1,000 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.
The North Coppei Fire was discovered on September 18, 2001, in Walla Walla County, Washington, and burned 4,810 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
A human caused fire was started near Goes In Lodge Road on the Wind River Indian Reservation south of Riverton during the afternoon. The fire threatened urban areas on the south side of Riverton by late afternoon.
The Windmill Fire was discovered on September 18, 2010, in Uinta County, Wyoming, and burned 5,261 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Drew Fire was discovered on September 18, 2010, in Drew County, Arkansas, and burned 1,013 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.
The Bald Mountain Fire was discovered on September 18, 2012, in Wallowa County, Oregon, and burned 1,100 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.
The Bone Creek Basin Fire was reported on September 18, 2014, in Harney County, Oregon, and burned 14,713 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.
The Guttersen Ranch Fire was reported on September 18, 2015, in Weld County, Colorado, and burned 11,699 acres.
The Black Mountain Fire was reported on September 18, 2016, in Tooele County, Utah, and burned 1,263 acres; the cause was recorded as human.
The Morgan Fire was reported on September 18, 2023, in Lake County, Oregon, and burned 2,289 acres.
The Cecil Fire was reported on September 18, 2023, in Coconino County, Arizona, and burned 2,180 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.
The Bronco Fire was reported on September 18, 2024, in Sioux County, Nebraska, and burned 1,069 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.
20 on September 18, oldest first.
An earthquake struck Antakya, Dimashq (Damascus), Turkey, Syria. It killed 50,000 people and did extreme (about $25 million or more) damage.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Switzerland. It killed 9 people. It caused a tsunami.
2 on the Richter scale. Parish records and historical accounts strongly indicate the earthquake's epicenter was northwest of Verviers, and the event was widely felt across Western Europe in modern-day Belgium, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and France.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Dongguang, Cangxian, Hebei Province, China. It killed many people (about 101 to 1,000).
An earthquake struck Santiago DE Cuba.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Arica, Tacna, Chile, Peru, Peru-Chile. It killed 700 people, injured 25, destroyed 1,001 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck Colombia.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Cinarcik, Yalova, Turkey. It killed 1 person and destroyed 7 houses. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck E, Erzurum, Olur-Senkaya, Turkey. It killed 3 people, injured 38, destroyed 75,000 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Honshu Island, Japan. It caused a tsunami.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Guatemala City, Pachuta, Solola. It killed 25 people, injured 200 and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
m. local time.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines. It injured 91.
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. It injured 7.
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Sikkim, Nepal, China, Bhutan, India. It killed 127 people, injured 441 and did $2.1 billion in damage.
9 and was centered within the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, near the border of Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim, at 18:10 IST on Sunday, 18 September. The earthquake was felt across northeastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and southern Tibet.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Hualien, Taiwan. It killed 1 person, injured 140 and did $3.7 million in damage.
Two earthquakes affected Taitung and Hualien Counties, Taiwan within hours of each other. 5 Mw, causing minor damage and some injuries.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Bandung, Java, Indonesia. It killed 2 people, injured 139, destroyed 784 houses and did $30 million in damage.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. It caused a tsunami.
1 on September 18, oldest first.
Rabaul, Papua New Guinea erupted. The eruption caused a tsunami and was accompanied by an earthquake.
8 on September 18, oldest first.
A tsunami struck Kashima, Japan, with a maximum water height of 2 meters.
A tsunami with a source recorded as earthquake and landslide struck Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, with a maximum water height of 4 meters. It killed 8 people.
A tsunami struck Weymouth, England, United Kingdom, with a maximum water height of 3 meters.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck S. Peru, with a maximum water height of 9 meters. It killed 700 people, injured 25, destroyed 1,001 houses and did severe (about $5 to $25 million) damage.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Marmara Sea, Turkey, with a maximum water height of 1 meters. It killed 1 person and destroyed 7 houses.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Honshu Island, Japan, with a maximum water height of 0.13 meters.
A tsunami with a source recorded as volcano struck Papua New Guinea, with a maximum water height of 3 meters. It killed 4 people and did $86 million in damage.
A tsunami caused by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, with a maximum water height of 0.31 meters.
4 on September 18, oldest first.
A G5 (extreme) geomagnetic storm began September 18, 1941, reached Kp 9 and lasted 60 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 232; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 40 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm began September 18, 1953, reached Kp 7- and lasted 33 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 80; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 52 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm began September 18, 1979, reached Kp 7 and lasted 18 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 64; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 50 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
A G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm began September 18, 1989, reached Kp 8 and lasted 21 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 70; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 45 degrees geomagnetic latitude.
1 on September 18, oldest first.
A tropical cyclone disaster that cost $9.3 billion in 2024 dollars and killed 55, on NOAA’s billion-dollar list. It lasted from September 18, 2003 to September 19, 2003.
9 on September 18, oldest first.
A 67-year old man drowned off the coast of Narragansett. High surf associated with Hurricane Isabel caused him to lose his footing near Black Point, sweeping him into the water.
Heavy rain bands with embedded thunderstorms over Eastern Long Island Sound produced wind gusts up to 43 knots. This resulted in a 31 foot boat capsizing near Niantic Bay. Two men were thrown into the water. One of them was killed. The boat sustanied significant structual damage.
Strong rip currents resulted in a fatality near Rodanthe during the afternoon of September 18th 2009.
A man was caught in a rip current and drowned. Still awaiting medical examination info.
A man drowned due to a rip current at Topsail Beach.
Two bodies (a male and a female) were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard in La Pocita, Pi ones area in Loiza.
The Bay County Sheriffs Office responded to 19947 Front Beach Road at approximately 6:30 pm CT in reference to two missing swimmers. A 28 year old male and a 9 year old male were found deceased in the surf. Single red flags were flying and a rip current statement was in effect.
Strong winds produced high waves and rip currents on September 18th. Three swimmers were struggling in the water off the breakwater near the Church Street boat ramp.
With a mid-level trough over the Florida Peninsula, and a stationary front positioned over Central Florida, plentiful moisture and instability was in place over South Florida.
Gathered from this site’s archives: the tornado record (NOAA SPC, and Grazulis before 1950), IBTrACS and the National Hurricane Center, NOAA NCEI’s Storm Events Database, Regional Snowfall Index, billion-dollar disasters list, State Climate Extremes Committee and hazard databases, USGS, NIFC, GFZ Potsdam’s Kp index (CC BY 4.0), the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, and Wikidata (CC0), with article leads from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0, each credited where it appears. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.