List of the wettest tropical cyclones in the United States

The wettest tropical cyclone in the United States storm on record is Hurricane Harvey, which dumped 60.58 in (1,539 mm) of rain on Southeast Texas in 2017.

Murfreesboro saw the greatest rainfall accumulation at 14.58 inches (370.3 mm), which is the highest total ever recorded from a tropical cyclone in the state of Arkansas.

[62] Hurricane Georges stalled over the southern portion of the state, it produced torrential rainfall, exceeding 30 inches (760 mm) locally.

However, its mid-level circulation remained robust, leading to a burst of heavy rainfall across Missouri exceeding 10 inches (250 mm) in isolated spots, which became the wettest tropical cyclone remnant on record for the state.

[32][82] It is rare for tropical cyclone remnants originating from the eastern Pacific or Atlantic Basins to make it as far north as Montana.

[59] A large swath of heavy rainfall spread up the East Coast along a frontal zone draping over the northern side of Hurricane Floyd.

[28] A large swath of heavy rainfall spread up the East Coast along a frontal zone draping over the northern side of Hurricane Floyd.

During Hurricane Connie, over 13 inches (330 mm) fell in isolated spots, which was the most rainfall recorded with a tropical cyclone or its remains across the state.

[29][32] Heavy rains accompany tropical cyclones and their remnants which move northeast from the Gulf of Mexico coastline, as well as inland from the western subtropical Atlantic Ocean.

[90] Over the past 30 years, the wettest tropical cyclone to strike the coastal plain was Hurricane Florence of September 2018, which dropped over 35 inches (890 mm) of rainfall in Elizabethtown.

In the mountains, Hurricane Helene of September 2024 was the wettest, bringing over 30 inches (760 mm) of rainfall to Busick, which is the settlement closest to Mount Mitchell.

Typhoon Champi dropped 26.25 inches (667 mm) on Tinian in 2015,[93] making it the wettest known tropical cyclone for the island chain.

The state of Ohio can be impacted by the remnants of both eastern Pacific and Atlantic tropical cyclones, with a bulk of the activity originating in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricane Frederic in 1979, interacting with a nearby frontal zone,[103] brought over 8 inches (200 mm) of rainfall to isolated spots of the state, becoming the wettest known tropical cyclone, or remnant, to impact Ohio.

Rainfall exceeded 12 inches (300 mm) in isolated spots, which turned out to be the fourth wettest tropical cyclone remnant on record for Oklahoma.

The most recent tropical cyclone-related deluge was from Hurricane Irene in August 2011, when 22.05 inches (560 mm) of rain was measured at Gurabo Abajo.

[106] The heaviest rainfall noted over the past 30 years was from the precursor disturbance to Tropical Storm Isabel, when 31.67 inches (804 mm) fell at Toro Negro Forest.

[27] Portions of South Carolina experienced significant rainfall totals eclipsing 35 inches (890 mm) with Hurricane Florence, which became the wettest known tropical cyclone to impact the state.

It is rare for tropical cyclone remnants originating from the eastern Pacific or Atlantic Basins to move as far inland as South Dakota.

[62] Tropical Storm Chris moved inland into the Southeast, producing a burst of rainfall across Tennessee exceeding 13 inches (330 mm).

[120][121] Harvey's extremely heavy rainfall produced catastrophic flooding across much of southeastern Texas; particularly in and around the Houston metropolitan area, where accumulations exceeded 40 in (1,000 mm) over a four-day period.

[120] Tropical Storm Claudette holds the national 24-hour rainfall record for the United States, with 42 inches (1,100 mm) falling within a day.

The remains of Olivia moved through the region in 1982, spurring spotty moderate to heavy rainfall exceeding 7 inches (180 mm) in isolated spots.

[17] A large swath over heavy rainfall spread up the East Coast along a frontal zone draped over the northern side of Hurricane Floyd.

Mountains to the west act as a perfect mechanism for upward motion during sustained east winds, which can lead to flash flooding and landslides in that region (e.g. Hurricane Camille).

As a tropical system approaches from the south, a frontal zone sets up between the moist Atlantic Ocean and the drier landmass to the west.

This boundary can set up two or three days in advance of a tropical storm, and can lead up to prolonged heavy rains across coastal sections (e.g. Hurricane Floyd).

Most recently, Hurricane Javier dropped locally heavy rainfall of up to 2 inches (51 mm) in the higher terrain of western Wyoming.