Wilson County, North Carolina tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Wilson County...

20confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: August 8, 2024, EF3. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 Wilson County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total201950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthAugust5 of 20
StrongestEF3Nov 15, 2008
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries71whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 1May: 2Jun: 1Jul: 1Aug: 5Sep: 3Oct: 1Nov: 4Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

August is the peak month, with 5 of 20 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 2: 0: 33 AM: 0: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 1: 212 PM: 0: 1: 23 PM: 2: 1: 26 PM: 0: 0: 19 PM: 0: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 AM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 4: 12010: 0: 3: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 12020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 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.

By rating

EF0
8
EF1
3
EF2
4
EF3
5

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, November 15, 2008

1 deaths, 4 injuries Strongest

EF3, November 15, 2008

8.19 mile path Longest path

160 miles, F3

November 23, 1992, whole path Widest

350 yards, EF0

September 17, 2018
Every tornado

All 20 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 8, 2024EF36.5 mi200 yd10
Sep 5, 2019EF10.85 mi200 yd00
Sep 17, 2018EF00.91 mi350 yd00
Aug 11, 2012EF10.21 mi40 yd00
Aug 6, 2011EF02.54 mi75 yd00
Apr 16, 2011EF28.97 mi200 yd010
Mar 6, 2011EF00.38 mi25 yd00
May 5, 2009EF22.77 mi100 yd01
Nov 15, 2008EF38.19 mi100 yd14
Nov 15, 2008EF24.09 mi150 yd12
Aug 27, 2008EF01.94 mi100 yd00
Aug 27, 2008EF04.47 mi50 yd00
Jun 4, 2004F01 mi100 yd00
Oct 11, 2002F12 mi50 yd00
May 1, 1997F02 mi50 yd00
Jul 12, 1996F00.3 mi50 yd00
Nov 23, 1992F3160 mi100 yd044
Nov 8, 1957F346.9 mi150 yd05
Sep 20, 1954F20.5 mi100 yd04
Mar 15, 1953F330.1 mi27 yd01
Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Wilson County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.