NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Laurel Hill, 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
64 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Laurel Hill, North Carolina since 1851, 7 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Chantal in 2025. Since 1950, 58 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 7 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 7
- Tropical storms
- 57
- Tornadoes
- 58
- 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 Laurel Hill
The strongest storm to pass near Laurel Hill was Hazel in 1954, a Category 3 hurricane with 116 mph winds when its centre passed 62 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1896, whose centre came within 7 miles. The record near Laurel Hill begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Chantal in 2025, a tropical storm 69 miles away. The 1880s and the 1890s were the busiest decades, with 7 systems each. Of the 64 systems, 10 have come since 2000. Laurel Hill has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 60% of the 475 North Carolina cities on this site. The highest rating among the 58 tornadoes within 25 miles is F4, reached 5 times; the most recent, on March 28, 1984, came within 21 miles. The deadliest, an F4 on March 28, 1984, killed 7 people. Of the 58, 3 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 27 have come since 2000. September has had the most tornadoes, 12. The most recent tornado was on May 14, 2024. Of the 475 North Carolina cities, 51% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Laurel Hill. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 49 times since 1969, with stones up to 2 inches (hen egg size). Of the 475 North Carolina cities, 66% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Laurel Hill.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Laurel Hill
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ChantalJul 6 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2024 | DebbyAug 8 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2022 | IanOct 1 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ClaudetteJun 21 | overhead | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 11 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 7 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | AlbertoJun 14 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1998 | EarlSep 4 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1996 | JosephineOct 8 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1996 | FranSep 6 | 55 mi | Category 1 (76 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1995 | AllisonJun 6 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1985 | BobJul 25 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1984 | DianaSep 14 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1979 | DavidSep 5 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 21 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1970 | AlmaMay 26 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 16 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1956 | FlossySep 26 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1955 | DianeAug 17 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 15 | 62 mi | Category 3 (116 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1952 | AbleAug 31 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1952 | Unnamed 1952 stormAug 28 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormSep 24 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 18 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 6 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 19 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1927 | Unnamed 1927 stormOct 3 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1920 | Unnamed 1920 stormSep 23 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 16 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1913 | Unnamed 1913 stormOct 10 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1913 | Unnamed 1913 stormSep 3 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJun 14 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 14 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1901 | Unnamed 1901 stormJul 13 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormOct 31 | 37 mi | Category 1 (84 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 29 | 7 mi | Category 1 (85 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 9 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 13 | 47 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 4 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 28 | 63 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormJun 16 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 10 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 1 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 22 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 13 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1883 | Unnamed 1883 stormSep 11 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormSep 12 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | overhead | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 58 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1867 | Unnamed 1867 stormJun 23 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormSep 1 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1854 | Unnamed 1854 stormSep 9 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1852 | Unnamed 1852 stormOct 10 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 25 | 33 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 Laurel Hill: 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 Laurel Hill
By decade
- 2020s5
- 2010s7
- 2000s15
- 1990s5
- 1980s10(3 EF3+)
- 1970s8
- 1960s6(2 EF3+)
- 1950s2(2 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 28, 1984 | F4 | 11 mi | 17 mi | 7 / 100 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | F4 | 11 mi | 40 mi | 4 / 395 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | F4 | 3 mi | 121.4 mi | 4 / 70 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | F4 | 21 mi | 7 mi | 0 / 24 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | F4 | 23 mi | 0.8 mi | 0 / 21 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | F3 | 9 mi | 77.3 mi | 0 / 3 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | F3 | 1 mi | 21.9 mi | 0 / 15 |
| May 15, 1976 | F2 | 21 mi | 10.1 mi | 3 / 4 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 24 mi | 0.19 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 19, 1986 | F2 | 20 mi | 19 mi | 0 / 5 |
| Feb 11, 1981 | F2 | 18 mi | 5.2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 9, 1976 | F2 | 8 mi | 6.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 58, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Laurel Hill
The Storm Prediction Center has 49 hail reports within 10 miles of Laurel Hill since 1969, made on 41 separate days. Of these, 27 were 1 inch across or larger, and one reached 2 inches. The largest, 2 inches (hen egg size), fell on June 21, 1970. The most recent report is from May 2, 2025. May has the most reports, 16.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Laurel Hill
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Laurinburg, NC, 8 miles southeast of Laurel Hill at 210 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 93°F and low of 72°F; January is the coolest, at 55°F and 33°F. September is the wettest at 5.5 inches of precipitation on average and April the driest at 3.0 inches; the year adds up to 46.7 inches over 75 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 56% of the year's precipitation (26.3 of 46.7 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 64 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (24); a normal September there has highs of 86°F and 5.5 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 69 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 57 nights a year. Snowfall averages 1.1 inches a year, most of it in January. That 46.7 inches is more than at 31 of the 140 North Carolina stations used on this site (22%). Hamlet, 8 miles northwest, has its own station (Hamlet, NC): 49.6 inches a year, 2.9 more than here, and a July average high of 92°F against 93°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 55 | 33 | 3.6 | 7 | 0.5 |
| Feb | 59 | 36 | 3.3 | 7 | 0.4 |
| Mar | 67 | 42 | 3.4 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Apr | 77 | 50 | 3.0 | 6 | 0.0 |
| May | 84 | 60 | 3.5 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 90 | 68 | 5.0 | 8 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 93 | 72 | 4.3 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 91 | 70 | 5.1 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 86 | 65 | 5.5 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Oct | 76 | 52 | 3.2 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Nov | 66 | 42 | 3.2 | 5 | 0.0 |
| Dec | 58 | 36 | 3.6 | 7 | 0.2 |
| Year | 75 | 52 | 46.7 | 75 | 1.1 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Laurinburg, 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 Laurel Hill
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 137 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Laurel Hill: 122 thunderstorm wind reports, 12 flash floods, 2 heavy rain events and 1 lightning strike. None is recorded as killing or injuring anyone; the NWS estimated $3.6 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 69 mph, on March 16, 2002. August has had the most flash floods, 5 of 12. Of the 472 North Carolina cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 166 have had fewer than Laurel Hill.
October 8, 2016: flash flood 6 miles from the centre of Laurel Hill — $3.0 million damage.
NWS: “Heavy rainfall of 8 to 10 inches caused widespread flash flooding across the county. Numerous roads were closed due to flooding.”
August 2, 2008: thunderstorm wind 2 miles from the centre of Laurel Hill — $100,000 damage.
NWS: “A large severe thunderstorm knocked down numerous trees and power lines in a corridor from Laurel Hill to just northeast of Laurinburg. Several roads in Laurel Hill were impassable.”
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
Scotland County, which includes Laurel Hill, has been named in 19 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1984, 8 of them major disasters (by incident: 12 hurricanes, 2 biological emergencies, 2 tropical storms, 1 severe storm). The latest major disaster declaration was Covid-19 Pandemic, on March 25, 2020. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Scotland County a Relatively Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Moderate for hurricanes, tornadoes, strong wind and lightning; Relatively Low for hail, inland flooding and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $14.0 million a year, the 72nd highest of 100 North Carolina counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $4.8 million (34%), 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 Laurel Hill
- Laurinburg, NC7 mi
- Hamlet, NC8 mi
- Mc Coll, SC11 mi
- Wagram, NC11 mi
- Rockingham, NC14 mi
- Bennettsville, SC14 mi
- Maxton, NC15 mi
- Pinebluff, NC19 mi
- Red Springs, NC20 mi
- Ellerbe, NC20 mi
- Aberdeen, NC22 mi
- Raeford, NC22 mi
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