Harnett County, North Carolina tornadoes

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27confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: January 3, 2022, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports 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 Harnett County

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The record

At a glance

Total271950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthMay4 of 27
StrongestEF3Apr 16, 2011
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries239whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

May is the peak month, with 4 of 27 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 1: 23 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 1: 1: 112 PM: 1: 4: 13 PM: 3: 5: 16 PM: 2: 1: 09 PM: 0: 0: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 11990: 1: 0: 2: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 2: 0: 0: 0: 4: 1: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 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.

By rating

EF0
10
EF1
11
EF2
4
EF3
2

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

EF3, April 16, 2011

2 deaths, 176 injuries Strongest

EF3, April 16, 2011

52.86 mile path Longest path

160 miles, F3

November 23, 1992, whole path Widest

800 yards, EF3

April 16, 2011
Every tornado

All 27 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jan 3, 2022EF00.79 mi75 yd00
Apr 12, 2019EF04.9 mi100 yd00
Apr 16, 2011EF352.86 mi800 yd2176
Sep 14, 2007EF01.41 mi50 yd00
Jul 7, 2005F012 mi100 yd00
Sep 8, 2004F00.5 mi25 yd00
Aug 29, 2004F00.5 mi20 yd00
Aug 12, 2004F13 mi100 yd04
May 2, 2004F12.3 mi300 yd00
Dec 16, 2000F00.1 mi20 yd00
Dec 16, 2000F00.1 mi20 yd00
Aug 17, 1994F11 mi50 yd00
Jun 24, 1994F14 mi40 yd00
May 1, 1994F00.2 mi50 yd00
Nov 23, 1992F3160 mi100 yd044
Nov 4, 1992F10.3 mi20 yd00
Oct 23, 1990F11.5 mi100 yd00
Jun 12, 1989F10.2 mi30 yd00
Jul 1, 1986F00.2 mi23 yd00
Jul 1, 1986F15 mi150 yd00
Jun 16, 1982F25 mi100 yd00
May 15, 1975F11 mi100 yd06
May 17, 1973F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jan 5, 1971F21.5 mi150 yd00
Nov 2, 1966F264.5 mi77 yd09
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.