Onslow County, North Carolina tornadoes

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49confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: May 24, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 4 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 Onslow County

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The record

At a glance

Total491950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthApril8 of 49
StrongestEF3Apr 16, 2011
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries59whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 1Feb: 2Mar: 3Apr: 8May: 7Jun: 5Jul: 5Aug: 8Sep: 3Oct: 6Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 8 of 49 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 3: 1: 03 AM: 1: 0: 16 AM: 1: 2: 29 AM: 1: 3: 312 PM: 1: 1: 23 PM: 6: 7: 56 PM: 5: 1: 19 PM: 1: 1: 012 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: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 1: 1: 11990: 1: 4: 0: 0: 0: 3: 1: 1: 0: 32000: 2: 0: 0: 4: 3: 0: 3: 0: 3: 12010: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 1: 0: 0: 1: 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: 4 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
28
EF1
16
EF2
4
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

F2, July 2, 1986

3 deaths, 10 injuries Strongest

EF3, April 16, 2011

3.76 mile path Longest path

10 miles, F1

April 15, 1999, whole path Widest

640 yards, EF1

April 13, 2020
Every tornado

All 49 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 24, 2024EF18.84 mi150 yd00
Apr 22, 2023EF00.44 mi25 yd00
Apr 13, 2020EF15.5 mi640 yd00
Sep 15, 2018EF12.5 mi275 yd00
Jun 10, 2013EF10.57 mi50 yd00
Apr 16, 2011EF33.76 mi450 yd030
May 7, 2009EF00.15 mi10 yd00
Sep 25, 2008EF00.29 mi10 yd00
May 11, 2008EF00.2 mi20 yd00
May 11, 2008EF24.98 mi100 yd06
Aug 31, 2006F00.2 mi25 yd00
Jul 23, 2006F00.1 mi25 yd00
Apr 17, 2006F00.5 mi25 yd00
Aug 14, 2004F00.1 mi20 yd00
Aug 13, 2004F00.1 mi30 yd00
Jun 22, 2004F01 mi20 yd00
Jul 2, 2003F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jul 2, 2003F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jul 2, 2003F11 mi50 yd00
Feb 22, 2003F00.1 mi20 yd00
May 21, 2000F01 mi100 yd00
Mar 16, 2000F00.2 mi50 yd00
Oct 17, 1999F00.2 mi10 yd00
Sep 15, 1999F00.2 mi10 yd00
Apr 15, 1999F110 mi10 yd07
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Sep 5, 20263 NW Sea View PierNot yet rated
Sep 5, 20263 E FolkstoneNot yet rated
Mar 12, 20262 W MaysvilleNot yet rated
Mar 12, 20263 NNW New River StationNot 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.

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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.