NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Fairmont, 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
85 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Fairmont, North Carolina since 1851, 11 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Chantal in 2025. Since 1950, 95 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 5 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 11
- Tropical storms
- 74
- Tornadoes
- 95
- EF3 or stronger
- 5
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
19 deaths in all
What the records show for Fairmont
The strongest storm to pass near Fairmont was Hazel in 1954, a Category 3 hurricane with 122 mph winds when its centre passed 35 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1899, whose centre came within 7 miles. The record near Fairmont begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Chantal in 2025, a tropical storm 40 miles away. Of the 85 systems, 21 have come since 2000. Fairmont has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 71% of the 475 North Carolina cities on this site. The highest rating among the 95 tornadoes within 25 miles is F4, reached 3 times; the most recent, on March 28, 1984, came within 22 miles. Of the 95, 3 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 42 have come since 2000. September has had the most tornadoes, 18. The most recent tornado was on May 14, 2024. Fairmont has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 89% of the 475 North Carolina cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 50 times since 1955, with stones up to 2.75 inches (baseball size). Of the 475 North Carolina cities, 65% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Fairmont.
Compare Fairmont's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Fairmont
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ChantalJul 6 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2024 | DebbyAug 8 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2023 | IdaliaAug 31 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2022 | IanOct 1 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ClaudetteJun 21 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 46 mi | Category 1 (84 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | FlorenceSep 15 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2016 | MatthewOct 8 | 67 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2016 | HermineSep 3 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2015 | AnaMay 10 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 7 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2012 | BerylMay 30 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2007 | BarryJun 3 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2006 | ErnestoSep 1 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | AlbertoJun 14 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2004 | GastonAug 29 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2004 | CharleyAug 14 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2002 | KyleOct 11 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1998 | EarlSep 4 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1996 | JosephineOct 8 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1996 | FranSep 6 | 43 mi | Category 1 (90 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1995 | AllisonJun 6 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1985 | KateNov 22 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1984 | DianaSep 13 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1981 | DennisAug 20 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1976 | Unnamed 1976 stormSep 15 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1972 | Unnamed 1972 stormJul 12 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 21 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1970 | AlmaMay 26 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1967 | Unnamed 1967 stormJun 18 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 16 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1964 | DoraSep 13 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 29 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1956 | FlossySep 26 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1955 | DianeAug 17 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 15 | 35 mi | Category 3 (122 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1952 | Unnamed 1952 stormAug 28 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormSep 24 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1946 | Unnamed 1946 stormJul 6 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 18 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 2 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 6 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 19 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 17 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1920 | Unnamed 1920 stormSep 23 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormSep 6 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 16 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1913 | Unnamed 1913 stormOct 10 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1913 | Unnamed 1913 stormSep 3 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJun 14 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1910 | Unnamed 1910 stormOct 20 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 29 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 14 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormSep 18 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormJul 13 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormOct 31 | 7 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 29 | 40 mi | Category 1 (85 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 9 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormSep 27 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (71 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 13 | 16 mi | Category 2 (101 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 4 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormJun 16 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormOct 11 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 10 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 1 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 13 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormAug 25 | 46 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1883 | Unnamed 1883 stormSep 11 | 42 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1881 | Unnamed 1881 stormSep 9 | 62 mi | Category 1 (92 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormSep 12 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 25 mi | Category 1 (78 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1867 | Unnamed 1867 stormJun 23 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormSep 1 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1854 | Unnamed 1854 stormSep 9 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormOct 10 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormAug 28 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 25 | 1 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 Fairmont: 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 Fairmont
By decade
- 2020s12
- 2010s16
- 2000s14
- 1990s17
- 1980s10(3 EF3+)
- 1970s10
- 1960s11(1 EF3+)
- 1950s5(1 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 28, 1984 | F4 | 22 mi | 17 mi | 7 / 100 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | F4 | 22 mi | 40 mi | 4 / 395 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | F4 | 15 mi | 0.8 mi | 0 / 21 |
| May 20, 1980 | F3 | 15 mi | 10.7 mi | 0 / 26 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | F3 | 25 mi | 77.3 mi | 0 / 3 |
| May 15, 1976 | F2 | 11 mi | 10.1 mi | 3 / 4 |
| Sep 29, 1963 | F2 | 7 mi | 85.8 mi | 3 / 12 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 20 mi | 13.13 mi | 1 / 0 |
| Apr 15, 1999 | F2 | 14 mi | 0.3 mi | 1 / 4 |
| Nov 14, 2008 | EF2 | 11 mi | 1.49 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 7, 1983 | F2 | 18 mi | 6 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 10, 1982 | F2 | 19 mi | 6 mi | 0 / 16 |
The strongest 12 of 95, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Fairmont
The Storm Prediction Center has 50 hail reports within 10 miles of Fairmont since 1955, made on 40 separate days. Of these, 24 were 1 inch across or larger, and one reached 2 inches. The largest, 2.75 inches (baseball size), fell on March 17, 1965. The most recent report is from May 10, 2024. May has the most reports, 20.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Fairmont
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Lumberton Municipal Airport, NC, 10 miles northeast of Fairmont at 121 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 91°F and low of 72°F; January is the coolest, at 55°F and 35°F. June and September are the wettest at 4.9 inches of precipitation on average and October the driest at 2.3 inches; the year adds up to 42.8 inches over 71 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 57% of the year's precipitation (24.5 of 42.8 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 85 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (30); a normal September there has highs of 84°F and 4.9 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 67 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 51 nights a year. That 42.8 inches is more than at 4 of the 140 North Carolina stations used on this site (3%). Lake View, SC, 10 miles south, has its own station (Dillon, SC): 48.7 inches a year, 5.9 more than here, and a July average high of 92°F against 91°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 55 | 35 | 2.6 | 5 |
| Feb | 59 | 37 | 2.8 | 6 |
| Mar | 66 | 43 | 3.3 | 6 |
| Apr | 75 | 51 | 2.9 | 5 |
| May | 83 | 60 | 3.4 | 6 |
| Jun | 89 | 69 | 4.9 | 7 |
| Jul | 91 | 72 | 4.6 | 8 |
| Aug | 89 | 71 | 4.8 | 8 |
| Sep | 84 | 65 | 4.9 | 6 |
| Oct | 76 | 53 | 2.3 | 4 |
| Nov | 66 | 42 | 3.0 | 4 |
| Dec | 58 | 38 | 3.3 | 5 |
| Year | 74 | 53 | 42.8 | 71 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Lumberton Municipal Airport, NC (121 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 Fairmont
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 103 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Fairmont: 92 thunderstorm wind reports, 7 flash floods, 2 lightning strikes, 1 flood and 1 heavy rain event. They killed 0 people and injured 1, and the NWS estimated $1.9 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 125 mph, on May 11, 2009. September has had the most flash floods, 3 of 7. Of the 472 North Carolina cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 59 have had fewer than Fairmont.
May 11, 2009: thunderstorm wind 10 miles from the centre of Fairmont — 1 injured, $813,000 damage.
October 8, 2016: flash flood 9 miles from the centre of Fairmont — $250,000 damage.
June 19, 2014: lightning strike 2 miles from the centre of Fairmont — $150,000 damage.
NWS: “Lightning struck the Lumber River Electric Company building at the corner of Main and Red Cross Streets. The resulting fire destroyed the interior of the structure.”
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 Fairmont's ZIP code 28340 have filed 14 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1987, and were paid $398,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. 86% 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, 30 have fewer than Fairmont.
Robeson County, which includes Fairmont, has been named in 24 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1984, 13 of them major disasters (by incident: 15 hurricanes, 3 severe storms, 2 biological emergencies, 2 tropical storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Tropical Storm Eta, on March 3, 2021. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Robeson County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Very High for strong wind; Relatively High for hurricanes, tornadoes and lightning; Relatively Moderate for hail, inland flooding and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $56.9 million a year, the 22nd highest of 100 North Carolina counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $17.9 million (31%), is from hurricanes.
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 Fairmont
- Lake View, SC10 mi
- Rowland, NC10 mi
- Hamer, SC11 mi
- Lumberton, NC13 mi
- Dillon, SC14 mi
- Pembroke, NC15 mi
- Nichols, SC20 mi
- Chadbourn, NC21 mi
- Bladenboro, NC21 mi
- Mullins, SC21 mi
- Latta, SC21 mi
- Maxton, NC21 mi
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