Cleveland County, North Carolina tornadoes

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29confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1973). Most recent: May 8, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Cleveland County

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The record

At a glance

Total291950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthMay6 of 29
StrongestF4May 5, 1989
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries108whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Cleveland County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 0Feb: 3Mar: 1Apr: 4May: 6Jun: 4Jul: 1Aug: 1Sep: 3Oct: 4Nov: 2Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 6 of 29 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 0: 2: 19 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 0: 3: 73 PM: 3: 4: 16 PM: 3: 0: 19 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 2: 0: 2: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 2: 22010: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 4: 0: 02020: 2: 0: 2: 0: 1: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
11
EF1
12
EF2
4
EF3
1
EF4
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F4, May 5, 1989

4 deaths, 52 injuries Strongest

F4, May 5, 1989

14 mile path Longest path

60.2 miles, F3

May 27, 1973, whole path Widest

800 yards, F4

May 5, 1989
Every tornado

All 29 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 8, 2024EF121.34 mi100 yd00
May 26, 2022EF00.01 mi25 yd00
May 26, 2022EF00.24 mi25 yd00
Feb 6, 2020EF28.66 mi150 yd00
Feb 6, 2020EF17.48 mi100 yd00
Oct 23, 2017EF112.34 mi100 yd00
Oct 23, 2017EF24.86 mi150 yd00
Oct 23, 2017EF121.83 mi150 yd00
Oct 8, 2017EF013.46 mi100 yd00
Nov 16, 2011EF00.35 mi50 yd00
Apr 9, 2011EF00.53 mi75 yd03
Jun 16, 2009EF19.27 mi300 yd00
Jun 16, 2009EF01.11 mi50 yd00
Apr 28, 2008EF00.1 mi40 yd00
Apr 19, 2008EF14.91 mi25 yd00
Sep 27, 2004F12 mi30 yd00
Sep 17, 2004F00.9 mi40 yd00
Jul 12, 2003F16 mi200 yd00
Sep 16, 1996F00.1 mi180 yd00
Aug 16, 1994F12 mi200 yd00
Mar 27, 1994F245.4 mi100 yd013
Nov 22, 1992F15 mi500 yd00
Jun 4, 1992F00.2 mi200 yd00
Apr 10, 1990F00.2 mi30 yd00
Feb 10, 1990F20.4 mi50 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jul 10, 20263 NNE CasarNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.