Craven County, North Carolina tornadoes

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40confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1965). Most recent: January 10, 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 Craven County

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The record

At a glance

Total401950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthApril13 of 40
StrongestF3Mar 17, 1965
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries93whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

130 Jan: 1Feb: 1Mar: 2Apr: 13May: 5Jun: 3Jul: 5Aug: 2Sep: 5Oct: 3Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 13 of 40 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 29 AM: 0: 0: 312 PM: 4: 2: 23 PM: 6: 4: 36 PM: 5: 2: 29 PM: 0: 1: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 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: 1: 0: 0: 1: 11970: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 11980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 3: 0: 3: 42000: 2: 0: 0: 1: 4: 0: 0: 0: 0: 32010: 0: 3: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 32020: 1: 0: 1: 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
25
EF1
11
EF2
3
EF3
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

F3, March 17, 1965

2 deaths, 85 injuries Strongest

F3, March 17, 1965

41.3 mile path Longest path

44.4 miles, F2

May 13, 1971, whole path Widest

300 yards, F2

May 13, 1971
Every tornado

All 40 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jan 10, 2024EF15.02 mi125 yd00
May 16, 2022EF10.1 mi80 yd00
Apr 13, 2020EF00.27 mi75 yd00
Oct 22, 2019EF00.04 mi40 yd00
Sep 5, 2019EF00.1 mi75 yd00
Sep 5, 2019EF05.7 mi75 yd00
Sep 13, 2018EF10.57 mi250 yd00
Apr 29, 2014EF00.04 mi25 yd00
Apr 28, 2011EF00.06 mi50 yd00
Apr 16, 2011EF24.07 mi200 yd07
Apr 16, 2011EF00.14 mi30 yd00
May 7, 2009EF00.11 mi10 yd00
May 7, 2009EF00.12 mi10 yd00
May 5, 2009EF00.26 mi10 yd00
Oct 13, 2004F00.1 mi20 yd00
Aug 15, 2004F00.2 mi20 yd00
Jun 23, 2004F00.1 mi25 yd00
Jun 23, 2004F00.1 mi30 yd00
Jul 2, 2003F00.3 mi30 yd00
Apr 15, 2000F10.8 mi100 yd01
Mar 16, 2000F00.5 mi50 yd00
Sep 15, 1999F06 mi20 yd00
Apr 15, 1999F02 min/a00
Apr 11, 1999F00.1 min/a00
Apr 11, 1999F00.1 min/a00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Mar 12, 20264 E James CityNot 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.