NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Gaston, 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
65 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Gaston, North Carolina since 1851, 7 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ophelia in 2023. Since 1950, 45 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 2 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 7
- Tropical storms
- 58
- Tornadoes
- 45
- EF3 or stronger
- 2
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
4 deaths in all
What the records show for Gaston
The strongest storm to pass near Gaston was an unnamed storm in 1878, a Category 2 hurricane with 100 mph winds when its centre passed 36 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was Isabel in 2003, whose centre came within 7 miles. The record near Gaston begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Ophelia in 2023, a tropical storm 8 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1880s, with 9 systems. Of the 65 systems, 13 have come since 2000. Gaston has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 60% of the 475 North Carolina cities on this site. The strongest of the 45 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F4 on November 27, 1988; its path came within 10 miles, and it killed 4 people. Of the 45, 4 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 22 have come since 2000. April has had the most tornadoes, 17. The most recent tornado was on January 4, 2023. Of the 475 North Carolina cities, 72% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Gaston. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 26 times since 1985, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 475 North Carolina cities, 93% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Gaston.
Compare Gaston's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Gaston
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | OpheliaSep 23 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ClaudetteJun 21 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 12 | overhead | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 7 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | ErnestoSep 1 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | AlbertoJun 14 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2004 | CharleyAug 14 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2003 | IsabelSep 18 | 7 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2000 | HeleneSep 23 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1999 | FloydSep 16 | 69 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1999 | DennisSep 5 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1998 | EarlSep 4 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1997 | DannyJul 24 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1996 | FranSep 6 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 27 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1970 | AlmaMay 26 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 16 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1964 | IsbellOct 16 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1964 | CleoSep 1 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 14 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1959 | CindyJul 10 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1955 | DianeAug 17 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 15 | 26 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 18 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 2 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 6 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 19 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormAug 12 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (71 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 16 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 14 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormOct 12 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormOct 31 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 30 | 75 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (71 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 13 | 39 mi | Category 1 (85 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormJun 17 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 10 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1887 | Unnamed 1887 stormOct 21 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 2 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 13 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1883 | Unnamed 1883 stormSep 12 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 23 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1881 | Unnamed 1881 stormSep 10 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 23 | 36 mi | Category 2 (100 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1876 | Unnamed 1876 stormSep 17 | 22 mi | Category 1 (78 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 25 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 18 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 27 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1854 | Unnamed 1854 stormSep 10 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 25 | 62 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 Gaston: 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 Gaston
By decade
- 2020s1
- 2010s12
- 2000s9
- 1990s8
- 1980s6(2 EF3+)
- 1970s2
- 1960s4
- 1950s3
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 27, 1988 | F4 | 10 mi | 83 mi | 4 / 154 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | F3 | 20 mi | 12 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 4 mi | 8.18 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 30, 1989 | F2 | 15 mi | 22 mi | 0 / 11 |
| Nov 28, 1988 | F2 | 21 mi | 3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 15, 1981 | F2 | 8 mi | 1.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 3, 1979 | F2 | 21 mi | 0.8 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Oct 2, 1969 | F2 | 13 mi | 5.6 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 2, 1966 | F2 | 24 mi | 1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 2, 1953 | F2 | 9 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 23, 1952 | F2 | 18 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF1 | 12 mi | 8.59 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 45, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Gaston
The Storm Prediction Center has 26 hail reports within 10 miles of Gaston since 1985, made on 20 separate days. Of these, 18 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 April 14, 2021. The most recent report is from April 14, 2021. May has the most reports, 11.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Gaston
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Roanoke Rapids, NC, 2 miles southeast of Gaston at 210 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 89°F and low of 70°F; January is the coolest, at 50°F and 30°F. September is the wettest at 5.5 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.9 inches; the year adds up to 49.5 inches over 78 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 57% of the year's precipitation (28.1 of 49.5 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 65 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (29); a normal September there has highs of 82°F and 5.5 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 46 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 70 nights a year. That 49.5 inches is more than at 61 of the 140 North Carolina stations used on this site (44%). Littleton, 12 miles west, has its own station (Arcola, NC): 47.7 inches a year, 1.8 less than here, and the same July average high, 89°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 50 | 30 | 3.7 | 7 |
| Feb | 53 | 32 | 2.9 | 6 |
| Mar | 60 | 37 | 4.3 | 7 |
| Apr | 70 | 46 | 3.6 | 7 |
| May | 78 | 57 | 3.4 | 7 |
| Jun | 85 | 65 | 5.1 | 7 |
| Jul | 89 | 70 | 5.4 | 8 |
| Aug | 88 | 68 | 5.2 | 7 |
| Sep | 82 | 62 | 5.5 | 7 |
| Oct | 71 | 50 | 3.6 | 5 |
| Nov | 61 | 40 | 3.3 | 6 |
| Dec | 53 | 34 | 3.5 | 6 |
| Year | 70 | 49 | 49.5 | 78 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Roanoke Rapids, NC (210 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 Gaston
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 123 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Gaston: 87 thunderstorm wind reports, 19 flash floods, 15 heavy rain events and 2 floods. None is recorded as killing or injuring anyone; the NWS estimated $1.3 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 85 mph, on March 18, 2021. July has had the most flash floods, 7 of 19. Of the 472 North Carolina cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 270 have had fewer than Gaston.
August 25, 2012: flash flood 9 miles from the centre of Gaston — $500,000 damage.
October 8, 2016: flood 5 miles from the centre of Gaston — $450,000 damage.
NWS: “Heavy rain caused an extended period of significant flooding across much of the county. Numerous roads were impassable or closed for several days, and many homes and businesses were impacted.”
March 18, 2021: thunderstorm wind 5 miles from the centre of Gaston — $100,000 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
Northampton County, which includes Gaston, has been named in 25 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1988, 11 of them major disasters (by incident: 15 hurricanes, 2 biological emergencies, 2 snowstorms, 2 tropical storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Covid-19 Pandemic, on March 25, 2020. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Northampton County a Relatively Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Moderate for hurricanes; Relatively Low for tornadoes, hail, inland flooding, strong wind, lightning and heat waves; Very Low for coastal flooding. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $8.3 million a year, the 92nd highest of 100 North Carolina counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $3.4 million (40%), 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.