Tornado History

North Carolina Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for North Carolina. The local dataset contains 1,657 tornado records from 1950 through 2026, with a strongest listed rating of F4 (Devastating damage) and at least $2.0B in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is May 9, 2026. Across these records, NOAA lists 136 deaths and 2,744 injuries.

Key Tornado Statistics

Total Tornadoes1,657
Total Deaths136
Total Injuries2,744
Property Damage$2.0B
Avg Length3.5 mi
Avg Width115 yd

Key Tornado Facts for North Carolina

Top local patterns from the historical tornado records in this group.

Average 21.5 tornadoes per year (33.9/yr in last decade)
May is the peak tornado month with 290 recorded events
Deadliest tornado: EF3 in North Carolina with 12 deaths
2011 was the most active year with 82 tornadoes
The 2010s had the most tornado activity (337 events)
Longest tornado: 70.3 miles in North Carolina
Widest tornado: 2,640.0 yards in North Carolina
Most tornadoes in one day: 47 on Apr 16, 2011

Monthly Distribution

Shows tornado frequency across months of the year, highlighting seasonal patterns and peak tornado periods.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Summary: In North Carolina, May is the most active month with 290 tornadoes.

Annual Tornado Trend

Shows year-by-year tornado counts, making active years and quiet stretches easier to spot.

8255280

Summary: 2011 was the most active year with 82 recorded tornadoes.

Tornado Intensity Distribution

Shows the breakdown of tornadoes by EF/F rating.

F0
EF0
F1
EF1
F2
EF2
F3
EF3
F4
Unknown
EFU

Summary: F1 tornadoes are the most common in this group, with 410 recorded events.

Property Damage Trends

Visualizes reported property damage over time. Bars use a log-like scale so very large damage years do not flatten the rest of the chart.

$411.7M$41.2M$4.1M$0

Summary: The highest reported property damage year in this group is 2011 with at least $411.7M in NOAA-listed property damage.

Tornado Count By County

Compares the counties with the most tornado records in this state dataset.

Carteret
Robeson
Pender
Onslow
Brunswick
Wake
Dare
Duplin
Craven
Beaufort
Columbus
Pitt
New Hanover
Bertie
Lenoir
Mecklenburg
Wayne
Cleveland
Bladen
Johnston

Summary: Carteret County has the highest count in this state group with 79 tornado records.

Historical Track Sketch

F4 November 28, 19881988F4 April 3, 19741974F4 March 28, 19841984F4 March 28, 19841984F4 March 28, 19841984F4 March 28, 19841984F4 March 28, 19841984F4 March 28, 19841984F4 November 28, 19881988F4 May 5, 19891989F4 May 5, 19891989F4 May 5, 19891989F4 May 5, 19891989F4 March 28, 19841984F4 March 28, 1984F4 March 28, 1984F4 March 28, 1984F4 November 28, 1988F4 November 28, 1988F4 November 28, 1988F4 May 7, 1998F4 April 8, 1957F4 April 8, 1957F4 April 8, 1957F4 April 8, 1957F4 April 8, 1957F4 May 5, 1989EF3 July 19, 2023EF3 April 16, 2011EF3 April 16, 2011EF3 April 16, 2011F3 May 7, 1998F3 March 20, 1998EF3 April 16, 2011F3 March 28, 1984F3 March 28, 1984F3 March 28, 1984F3 March 28, 1984F3 March 28, 1984F3 May 5, 1989EF3 April 25, 2014EF3 March 28, 2010EF3 April 16, 2011F3 March 17, 1965F3 March 17, 1965F3 March 17, 1965F3 February 22, 1971F3 May 15, 1972F3 March 28, 1984F3 March 28, 1984F3 May 22, 1985F3 November 23, 1992F3 November 23, 1992EF3 May 8, 2008EF3 April 16, 2011EF3 August 8, 2024EF3 September 27, 2024EF3 November 15, 2008EF3 August 4, 2020F3 November 16, 2006F3 October 9, 1950F3 March 15, 1953F3 April 8, 1957F3 November 8, 1957F3 November 8, 1957F3 November 8, 1957F3 August 29, 1964F3 April 18, 1969F3 May 27, 1973F3 March 4, 1977F3 October 18, 1990F3 November 23, 1992F3 November 23, 1992F3 November 23, 1992F3 November 23, 1992F3 November 23, 1992EF3 July 19, 2023F3 September 17, 1952F3 October 7, 1965F3 April 18, 1969© OpenStreetMap contributors
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Notable Tornado Records

The table highlights the strongest and most damaging records in this page's local dataset. Damage totals are NOAA-reported minimum estimates where available.

DateRatingAreaLengthWidthDeathsInjuriesMin. property damage
November 28, 1988F4Wake, North Carolina20 mi400 yd2105$250.0M
March 28, 1984F4Pitt, North Carolina20 mi1223 yd9153$25.0M
March 28, 1984F4Greene, North Carolina13 mi1223 yd70$25.0M
April 3, 1974F4Cherokee, North Carolina18.9 mi33 yd426$25.0M
May 5, 1989F4Lincoln, North Carolina3 mi800 yd419$25.0M
March 28, 1984F4Wayne, North Carolina8 mi1407 yd359$25.0M
May 5, 1989F4Union, North Carolina13 mi500 yd16$25.0M
March 28, 1984F4Sampson, North Carolina6 mi1407 yd050$25.0M
March 28, 1984F4Duplin, North Carolina7 mi1407 yd040$25.0M
March 28, 1984F4Lenoir, North Carolina5 mi1223 yd00$25.0M
November 28, 1988F4Franklin, North Carolina21 mi200 yd017$25.0M
May 5, 1989F4Cleveland, North Carolina5 mi800 yd030$25.0M
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Source And Limits

Data sourced from NOAA Storm Prediction Center and the NCEI Storm Events Database. TornadoTrace summarizes reported weather events for screening and research; it is not a damage assessment, inspection, or insurance determination. Coordinates and records can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. No warranty of completeness or accuracy.

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