Sampson County, North Carolina tornadoes

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25confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: September 27, 2024, 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 Sampson County

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The record

At a glance

Total251950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril6 of 25
StrongestF4Apr 8, 1957
Deaths27whole paths, see note
Injuries428whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 2Feb: 1Mar: 5Apr: 6May: 2Jun: 0Jul: 1Aug: 2Sep: 5Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 6 of 25 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 1: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 2: 0: 012 PM: 2: 0: 33 PM: 2: 6: 16 PM: 2: 2: 09 PM: 0: 1: 112 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

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 2: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 2: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 22010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 12020: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 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
6
EF1
9
EF2
5
EF3
3
EF4
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

F3, March 28, 1984

12 deaths, 101 injuries Strongest

F4, April 8, 1957

121.4 mile path Longest path

121.4 miles, F4

April 8, 1957, whole path Widest

1,407 yards, F3

March 28, 1984
Every tornado

All 25 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 27, 2024EF16.31 mi100 yd00
Aug 7, 2024EF24.67 mi40 yd00
Jan 3, 2022EF10.12 mi75 yd00
Apr 19, 2019EF110.15 mi125 yd00
Sep 16, 2018EF06.29 mi1,000 yd00
May 23, 2017EF113.74 mi100 yd01
Apr 29, 2014EF10.81 mi100 yd00
Apr 16, 2011EF229.88 mi800 yd313
Mar 27, 2009EF00.9 mi20 yd00
Mar 27, 2009EF00.39 mi20 yd00
Nov 15, 2008EF04.3 mi50 yd00
Sep 16, 1996F21.4 mi100 yd00
Jan 6, 1995F11 mi73 yd013
Mar 28, 1984F421 mi1,407 yd3149
Mar 28, 1984F340 mi1,407 yd12101
Aug 1, 1980F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 10, 1980F10.2 mi50 yd00
Mar 15, 1971F164 mi50 yd00
Feb 22, 1971F385.7 mi500 yd260
Apr 18, 1969F325.8 mi300 yd01
Sep 29, 1963F285.8 mi100 yd312
Apr 8, 1962F064.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 11, 1960F21 mi37 yd08
May 8, 1960F113.2 mi27 yd00
Apr 8, 1957F4121.4 mi150 yd470
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.