Moore County, North Carolina tornadoes

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16confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1973). Most recent: April 19, 2019, EF1. 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 Moore County

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The record

At a glance

Total161950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthSeptember5 of 16
StrongestEF3Apr 16, 2011
Deaths6whole paths, see note
Injuries106whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

September is the peak month, with 5 of 16 tornadoes.

By time of day

20 12 AM: 0: 2: 03 AM: 0: 1: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 1: 112 PM: 2: 1: 13 PM: 2: 1: 16 PM: 0: 1: 09 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 1:00 AM. 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: 0: 0: 1: 1: 01980: 0: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 4: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 0: 0: 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
5
EF1
8
EF2
2
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

EF3, April 16, 2011

6 deaths, 103 injuries Strongest

EF3, April 16, 2011

65.23 mile path Longest path

65.23 miles, EF3

April 16, 2011, whole path Widest

800 yards, F2

February 11, 1981
Every tornado

All 16 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 19, 2019EF11.6 mi300 yd00
Sep 6, 2011EF01.28 mi25 yd00
Apr 16, 2011EF365.23 mi500 yd6103
Sep 27, 2004F00.5 mi25 yd00
Sep 27, 2004F18 mi200 yd00
Sep 17, 2004F00.5 mi25 yd00
Sep 8, 2004F00.5 mi25 yd00
Jul 2, 2003F010 mi50 yd00
Mar 29, 1991F11 mi150 yd02
Jun 16, 1982F16 mi100 yd00
Jun 10, 1982F10.5 mi17 yd01
Feb 11, 1981F27.6 mi800 yd00
Feb 11, 1981F25.2 mi700 yd00
Aug 5, 1978F10.2 mi67 yd00
Mar 4, 1977F12 mi20 yd00
May 24, 1973F10.1 mi10 yd00
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.