NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Denton, 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
39 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Denton, North Carolina since 1851, 3 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Debby in 2024. Since 1950, 53 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 1 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 3
- Tropical storms
- 36
- Tornadoes
- 53
- EF3 or stronger
- 1
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
3 deaths in all
What the records show for Denton
The strongest storm to pass near Denton was an unnamed storm in 1896, a Category 1 hurricane with 82 mph winds when its centre passed 44 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1893, whose centre came within 13 miles. The record near Denton begins with an unnamed storm in 1854; the most recent system was Debby in 2024, a tropical storm 71 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1880s, with 6 systems. Of the 39 systems, 6 have come since 2000. Of the 475 North Carolina cities on this site, 50% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Denton. The strongest of the 53 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F3 on October 7, 1965; its path came within 16 miles, and it killed 1 person. The deadliest, an EF2 on November 16, 2011, killed 2 people. Of the 53, 3 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 18 have come since 2000. March has had the most tornadoes, 10. The most recent tornado was on March 18, 2021. Of the 475 North Carolina cities, 58% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Denton. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 36 times since 1985, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 475 North Carolina cities, 84% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Denton.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Denton
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | DebbyAug 8 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 51 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ClaudetteJun 21 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 11 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2006 | AlbertoJun 14 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1996 | FranSep 6 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1989 | HugoSep 22 | 73 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1985 | BobJul 25 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1979 | DavidSep 5 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1970 | AlmaMay 26 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 16 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1952 | AbleAug 31 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 28 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 18 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 6 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1927 | Unnamed 1927 stormOct 3 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 3 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJun 14 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormSep 23 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 14 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormOct 11 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 29 | 44 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 4 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 28 | 13 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 10 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 2 | 75 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 22 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 13 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormSep 12 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1867 | Unnamed 1867 stormJun 23 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1854 | Unnamed 1854 stormSep 9 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Denton: 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 Denton
By decade
- 2020s4
- 2010s7
- 2000s7
- 1990s9
- 1980s6
- 1970s12
- 1960s7(1 EF3+)
- 1950s1
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 7, 1965 | F3 | 16 mi | 1 mi | 1 / 4 |
| Nov 16, 2011 | EF2 | 10 mi | 12.51 mi | 2 / 15 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 21 mi | 6.19 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF2 | 17 mi | 5 mi | 0 / 5 |
| Jan 14, 2005 | F2 | 16 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 29, 1999 | F2 | 18 mi | 6 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 29, 1991 | F2 | 5 mi | 28 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 1, 1977 | F2 | 20 mi | 9.4 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 15, 1976 | F2 | 17 mi | 18.8 mi | 0 / 7 |
| Mar 24, 1975 | F2 | 20 mi | 30.6 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | F2 | 22 mi | 27.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 17, 1963 | F2 | 23 mi | 1 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 53, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Denton
The Storm Prediction Center has 36 hail reports within 10 miles of Denton since 1985, made on 28 separate days. Of these, 16 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 4 days, most recently May 12, 2016. The most recent report is from May 29, 2021. May has the most reports, 17.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Denton
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Albemarle, NC, 16 miles south of Denton at 610 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 89°F and low of 69°F; January is the coolest, at 51°F and 31°F. July is the wettest at 5.2 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 3.0 inches; the year adds up to 48.2 inches over 72 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 55% of the year's precipitation (26.3 of 48.2 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 39 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (14); a normal September there has highs of 81°F and 4.6 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 39 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 66 nights a year. Snowfall averages 0.8 inches a year, most of it in January and March. That 48.2 inches is more than at 47 of the 140 North Carolina stations used on this site (34%). Asheboro, 16 miles east, has its own station (Asheboro 2 W, NC): 46.7 inches a year, 1.5 less than here, and a July average high of 88°F against 89°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51 | 31 | 3.8 | 6 | 0.4 |
| Feb | 55 | 33 | 3.0 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Mar | 63 | 40 | 4.0 | 7 | 0.4 |
| Apr | 72 | 48 | 3.7 | 6 | 0.0 |
| May | 79 | 57 | 3.5 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 86 | 66 | 4.7 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 89 | 69 | 5.2 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 87 | 68 | 4.9 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 81 | 62 | 4.6 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Oct | 73 | 50 | 3.6 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Nov | 62 | 40 | 3.3 | 4 | 0.0 |
| Dec | 54 | 34 | 3.9 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Year | 71 | 50 | 48.2 | 72 | 0.8 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Albemarle, NC (610 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 Denton
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 112 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Denton: 96 thunderstorm wind reports, 12 flash floods, 3 floods and 1 lightning strike. They killed 1 person and injured 3, and the NWS estimated $38.1 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 69 mph, on June 26, 2002. August has had the most flash floods, 6 of 12. Of the 472 North Carolina cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 166 have had fewer than Denton.
April 13, 2020: thunderstorm wind 10 miles from the centre of Denton — 1 killed, 1 injured, $50,000 damage.
June 26, 2002: thunderstorm wind 8 miles from the centre of Denton — 2 injured.
NWS: “Thunderstorm winds flipped over a mobile home onto a truck. The home was destroyed, and the two residents were injured.”
September 17, 2018: flood 8 miles from the centre of Denton — $31.1 million damage.
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
Davidson County, which includes Denton, has been named in 29 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1977, 15 of them major disasters (by incident: 14 hurricanes, 4 snowstorms, 2 biological emergencies, 2 ice storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Tropical Storm Eta, on March 3, 2021. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Davidson County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Moderate for hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, inland flooding, strong wind and lightning; Relatively Low for heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $64.3 million a year, the 19th highest of 100 North Carolina counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $43.8 million (68%), 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 Denton
- New London, NC11 mi
- Richfield, NC12 mi
- Gold Hill, NC14 mi
- Asheboro, NC16 mi
- Lexington, NC16 mi
- Trinity, NC17 mi
- Sophia, NC17 mi
- Thomasville, NC17 mi
- Linwood, NC18 mi
- Rockwell, NC19 mi
- Albemarle, NC19 mi
- Spencer, NC19 mi
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