NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Clayton, NC
Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.
Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated
69 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Clayton, North Carolina since 1851, 7 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ophelia in 2023. Since 1950, 86 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 7 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 7
- Tropical storms
- 62
- Tornadoes
- 86
- EF3 or stronger
- 7
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
18 deaths in all
What the records show for Clayton
The strongest storm to pass near Clayton was Hazel in 1954, a Category 2 hurricane with 99 mph winds when its centre passed 3 miles away. The record near Clayton begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Ophelia in 2023, a tropical storm 61 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1880s, with 9 systems. Of the 69 systems, 13 have come since 2000. Clayton has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 60% of the 475 North Carolina cities on this site. The strongest of the 86 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F4 on November 27, 1988; its path came within 23 miles, and it killed 4 people. The deadliest, an EF3 on April 16, 2011, killed 6 people. Of the 86, 2 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 45 have come since 2000. May has had the most tornadoes, 15. The most recent tornado was on May 4, 2025. Clayton has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 81% of the 475 North Carolina cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 80 times since 1973, with stones up to 2 inches (hen egg size). Clayton has more hail reports within 10 miles than 68% of the 475 North Carolina cities.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Clayton
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | OpheliaSep 23 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ClaudetteJun 21 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | overhead | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 11 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 7 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | ErnestoSep 1 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | AlbertoJun 14 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2004 | CharleyAug 14 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2003 | IsabelSep 18 | 74 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2000 | HeleneSep 23 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1999 | DennisSep 5 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1998 | EarlSep 4 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1996 | JosephineOct 8 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1996 | FranSep 6 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 56 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1984 | DianaSep 14 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 21 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1971 | GingerOct 1 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1970 | AlmaMay 26 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 16 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1964 | IsbellOct 16 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1959 | CindyJul 10 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1956 | FlossySep 27 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1955 | DianeAug 17 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 15 | 3 mi | Category 2 (99 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormSep 25 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 18 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 2 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 6 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 19 | 37 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1920 | Unnamed 1920 stormSep 23 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormSep 6 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 16 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1913 | Unnamed 1913 stormSep 3 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJun 14 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 14 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormOct 31 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 30 | 44 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 9 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 13 | 6 mi | Category 1 (89 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 4 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormJun 16 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 10 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1887 | Unnamed 1887 stormOct 21 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 2 | overhead | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 22 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 13 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1883 | Unnamed 1883 stormSep 12 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1881 | Unnamed 1881 stormSep 10 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1876 | Unnamed 1876 stormSep 17 | 58 mi | Category 1 (84 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 25 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1867 | Unnamed 1867 stormJun 23 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormSep 1 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1854 | Unnamed 1854 stormSep 9 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormOct 10 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 25 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Clayton: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Clayton
By decade
- 2020s5(1 EF3+)
- 2010s17(2 EF3+)
- 2000s23
- 1990s16(1 EF3+)
- 1980s7(1 EF3+)
- 1970s9(1 EF3+)
- 1960s3
- 1950s6(1 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 27, 1988 | F4 | 23 mi | 83 mi | 4 / 154 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 17 mi | 65.23 mi | 6 / 103 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 10 mi | 52.86 mi | 2 / 176 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | F3 | 19 mi | 85.7 mi | 2 / 60 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 20 mi | 6.5 mi | 1 / 0 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | F3 | 4 mi | 160 mi | 0 / 44 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | F3 | 20 mi | 30.1 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF2 | 17 mi | 4.09 mi | 1 / 2 |
| Mar 16, 1955 | F2 | 25 mi | 6.6 mi | 1 / 1 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 13 mi | 17.18 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 21 mi | 8.97 mi | 0 / 10 |
| May 5, 2009 | EF2 | 17 mi | 2.77 mi | 0 / 1 |
The strongest 12 of 86, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Clayton
The Storm Prediction Center has 80 hail reports within 10 miles of Clayton since 1973, made on 54 separate days. Of these, 48 were 1 inch across or larger, and one reached 2 inches. The largest, 2 inches (hen egg size), fell on June 12, 1995. The most recent report is from March 27, 2021. May has the most reports, 34.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Clayton
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Clayton Wtp, NC, 3 miles west of Clayton at 300 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 89°F and low of 69°F; January is the coolest, at 52°F and 30°F. July is the wettest at 6.1 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 3.1 inches; the year adds up to 52.2 inches over 83 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 56% of the year's precipitation (29.2 of 52.2 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 69 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (30); a normal September there has highs of 82°F and 5.9 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 41 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 77 nights a year. Snowfall averages 3.2 inches a year, most of it in January. That 52.2 inches is more than at 89 of the 140 North Carolina stations used on this site (64%). Smithfield, 10 miles southeast, has its own station (Smithfield, NC): 49.5 inches a year, 2.7 less than here, and a July average high of 92°F against 89°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52 | 30 | 4.3 | 8 | 2.2 |
| Feb | 56 | 31 | 3.1 | 6 | 0.1 |
| Mar | 63 | 37 | 4.1 | 8 | 0.1 |
| Apr | 73 | 46 | 3.6 | 7 | 0.0 |
| May | 79 | 56 | 4.1 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 86 | 65 | 4.2 | 8 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 89 | 69 | 6.1 | 9 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 87 | 68 | 5.9 | 8 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 82 | 62 | 5.9 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Oct | 73 | 49 | 3.5 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Nov | 63 | 38 | 3.6 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Dec | 55 | 32 | 3.8 | 7 | 0.8 |
| Year | 71 | 48 | 52.2 | 83 | 3.2 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Clayton Wtp, NC (300 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Clayton
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 220 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Clayton: 177 thunderstorm wind reports, 22 flash floods, 11 heavy rain events, 8 lightning strikes and 2 floods. They killed 2 people and injured 1, and the NWS estimated $1.4 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 69 mph, on August 18, 2000. September has had the most flash floods, 7 of 22. Of the 472 North Carolina cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 307 have had fewer than Clayton.
March 29, 2010: flash flood 4 miles from the centre of Clayton — 2 killed.
NWS: “Two teenagers drowned when their car hydroplaned, flipped and came to rest in a swollen swampy area. The vehicle was submerged.”
August 23, 2017: thunderstorm wind 10 miles from the centre of Clayton — 1 injured, $10,000 damage.
June 13, 2013: thunderstorm wind 4 miles from the centre of Clayton — $300,000 damage.
NWS: “Amateur radio operators and trained spotters reported wind damage throughout the county with numerous trees and power-lines blown down. Some of the downed trees fell onto some homes including a tin roof blown off of an automotive dealership in Smithfield.”
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.
Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings
Flood insurance policyholders in Clayton's 2 ZIP codes have filed 22 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1995, and were paid $127,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. 59% of the claims carry the name of a storm or flood event; the rest have no event name. Of the 263 North Carolina cities on this site with 10 or more claims, 72 have fewer than Clayton.
Johnston County, which includes Clayton, has been named in 27 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1968, 12 of them major disasters (by incident: 15 hurricanes, 2 biological emergencies, 2 ice storms, 2 severe storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Covid-19 Pandemic, on March 25, 2020. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Johnston County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively High for tornadoes and lightning; Relatively Moderate for hurricanes, hail, inland flooding, strong wind and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $61.5 million a year, the 20th highest of 100 North Carolina counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $31.7 million (52%), is from inland flooding.
Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
Risk ratings: FEMA, National Risk Index county table, December 2025 (v1.20), retrieved October 26, 2026; ratings compare counties nationwide, are meant for planning and are no substitute for a local risk assessment. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.
Cities near Clayton
- Smithfield, NC10 mi
- Selma, NC10 mi
- Wendell, NC10 mi
- Garner, NC11 mi
- Knightdale, NC12 mi
- Four Oaks, NC15 mi
- Kenly, NC15 mi
- Willow Spring, NC16 mi
- Middlesex, NC16 mi
- Zebulon, NC16 mi
- Benson, NC18 mi
- Princeton, NC18 mi
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