New Hanover County, North Carolina tornadoes

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33confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: July 6, 2025, 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 New Hanover County

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The record

At a glance

Total331950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthSeptember14 of 33
StrongestF1Jun 23, 1954
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries8whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

140 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 6Jun: 3Jul: 2Aug: 3Sep: 14Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

September is the peak month, with 14 of 33 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 1: 13 AM: 0: 3: 26 AM: 0: 0: 39 AM: 2: 1: 012 PM: 1: 2: 03 PM: 1: 3: 46 PM: 1: 2: 09 PM: 1: 4: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

80 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 4: 22000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 8: 42020: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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
18
EF1
15

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

Strongest

F1, June 23, 1954

2 mile path Longest path

4.45 miles, EF1

September 15, 2018, whole path Widest

100 yards, F1

June 12, 1958
Every tornado

All 33 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 6, 2025EF01.68 mi30 yd00
Aug 30, 2023EF11.54 mi30 yd00
Sep 17, 2020EF00.15 mi20 yd00
Sep 5, 2019EF12.86 mi100 yd01
Sep 5, 2019EF00.38 mi30 yd00
Sep 5, 2019EF00.31 mi25 yd00
Sep 5, 2019EF02.47 mi20 yd00
Dec 20, 2018EF00.33 mi40 yd00
Sep 15, 2018EF00.17 mi30 yd00
Sep 15, 2018EF14.45 mi50 yd00
Sep 15, 2018EF12.92 mi50 yd00
Sep 15, 2018EF00.1 mi30 yd00
Sep 15, 2018EF01.3 mi50 yd00
Sep 15, 2018EF00.22 mi50 yd00
Sep 15, 2018EF10.6 mi50 yd00
May 5, 2016EF11.8 mi75 yd01
Dec 24, 2014EF10.2 mi25 yd01
Aug 18, 2011EF00.33 mi20 yd00
May 11, 2008EF00.15 mi10 yd00
Sep 15, 1999F00.2 mi10 yd00
Sep 15, 1999F02 mi10 yd00
Jun 19, 1998F12 mi30 yd00
May 23, 1998F11.5 mi40 yd01
May 7, 1998F12 mi40 yd00
Jan 8, 1998F10.2 mi30 yd03
Cities

Cities in New Hanover County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

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.