NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Rocky Mount, 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
77 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Rocky Mount, North Carolina since 1851, 9 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ophelia in 2023. Since 1950, 60 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 9 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 9
- Tropical storms
- 68
- Tornadoes
- 60
- EF3 or stronger
- 9
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
9 deaths in all
What the records show for Rocky Mount
The strongest storm to pass near Rocky Mount was an unnamed storm in 1878, a Category 2 hurricane with 102 mph winds when its centre passed 45 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1928, whose centre came within 19 miles. The record near Rocky Mount begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Ophelia in 2023, a tropical storm 23 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1880s, with 9 systems. Of the 77 systems, 13 have come since 2000. Rocky Mount has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 67% of the 475 North Carolina cities on this site. The strongest of the 60 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F4 on November 27, 1988; its path came within 20 miles, and it killed 4 people. Of the 60, 7 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 33 have come since 2000. May has had the most tornadoes, 12. The most recent tornado was on May 13, 2025. Rocky Mount has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 51% of the 475 North Carolina cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 81 times since 1976, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Rocky Mount has more hail reports within 10 miles than 69% of the 475 North Carolina cities.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Rocky Mount
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | OpheliaSep 23 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ClaudetteJun 21 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 11 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 7 | 1 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | ErnestoSep 1 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | AlbertoJun 14 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2004 | CharleyAug 14 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2003 | IsabelSep 18 | 34 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2000 | HeleneSep 23 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1999 | FloydSep 16 | 58 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1999 | DennisSep 5 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1998 | EarlSep 4 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1997 | DannyJul 24 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1996 | JosephineOct 8 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1996 | FranSep 6 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (72 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1984 | DianaSep 14 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 21 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1971 | GingerOct 1 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 27 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1970 | AlmaMay 26 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 16 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1964 | IsbellOct 16 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 14 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1959 | CindyJul 10 | overhead | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1956 | Unnamed 1956 stormOct 18 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1956 | FlossySep 27 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1955 | IoneSep 19 | 74 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1955 | DianeAug 17 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 15 | 27 mi | Category 1 (92 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1947 | Unnamed 1947 stormSep 25 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1946 | Unnamed 1946 stormJul 6 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 18 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 2 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 6 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1928 | Unnamed 1928 stormSep 19 | 19 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormSep 6 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 16 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1913 | Unnamed 1913 stormSep 3 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJun 14 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 29 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 14 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormOct 31 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 30 | 74 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 13 | 37 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 4 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormJun 16 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 10 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1887 | Unnamed 1887 stormOct 20 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJul 2 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 13 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1883 | Unnamed 1883 stormSep 12 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 23 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1881 | Unnamed 1881 stormSep 10 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 23 | 45 mi | Category 2 (102 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1876 | Unnamed 1876 stormSep 17 | 28 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 25 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1867 | Unnamed 1867 stormJun 23 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 18 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 27 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1854 | Unnamed 1854 stormSep 10 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormAug 25 | 36 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 Rocky Mount: 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 Rocky Mount
By decade
- 2020s9(3 EF3+)
- 2010s12
- 2000s12(1 EF3+)
- 1990s8(1 EF3+)
- 1980s4(1 EF3+)
- 1970s7(1 EF3+)
- 1960s2
- 1950s6(2 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 27, 1988 | F4 | 20 mi | 83 mi | 4 / 154 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | F3 | 21 mi | 85.7 mi | 2 / 60 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 22 mi | 6.5 mi | 1 / 0 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 7 mi | 8.19 mi | 1 / 4 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 2 mi | 0.25 mi | 0 / 15 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 5 mi | 13.53 mi | 0 / 16 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | F3 | 11 mi | 160 mi | 0 / 44 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | F3 | 17 mi | 46.9 mi | 0 / 5 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | F3 | 13 mi | 30.1 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Mar 16, 1955 | F2 | 21 mi | 6.6 mi | 1 / 1 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 19 mi | 17.18 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 16 mi | 8.97 mi | 0 / 10 |
The strongest 12 of 60, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Rocky Mount
The Storm Prediction Center has 81 hail reports within 10 miles of Rocky Mount since 1976, made on 44 separate days. Of these, 40 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 9 days, most recently August 29, 2011. The most recent report is from May 5, 2025. May has the most reports, 22.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Rocky Mount
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Rocky Mt Wilson Airport, NC, 8 miles southwest of Rocky Mount at 160 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 91°F and low of 69°F; January is the coolest, at 52°F and 31°F. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 55% of the year's precipitation (24.6 of 44.4 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 77 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (34); a normal September there has highs of 83°F and 4.9 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 53 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 69 nights a year. That 44.4 inches is more than at 14 of the 140 North Carolina stations used on this site (10%). Battleboro, 6 miles north, has its own station (Rocky Mt 8 ESE, NC): 48.6 inches a year, 4.2 more than here, and a July average high of 88°F against 91°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52 | 31 | 3.5 | 6 |
| Feb | 55 | 33 | 2.9 | 6 |
| Mar | 63 | 39 | 4.0 | 7 |
| Apr | 73 | 48 | 3.6 | 5 |
| May | 80 | 56 | 2.9 | 6 |
| Jun | 87 | 65 | 3.9 | 6 |
| Jul | 91 | 69 | 4.6 | 6 |
| Aug | 88 | 68 | 4.9 | 6 |
| Sep | 83 | 62 | 4.9 | 6 |
| Oct | 73 | 50 | 3.2 | 5 |
| Nov | 63 | 39 | 3.1 | 5 |
| Dec | 55 | 34 | 2.9 | 6 |
| Year | 72 | 49 | 44.4 | 71 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Rocky Mt Wilson Airport, NC (160 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 Rocky Mount
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 147 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Rocky Mount: 116 thunderstorm wind reports, 19 flash floods, 9 heavy rain events, 2 floods and 1 lightning strike. They killed 2 people and injured 1, and the NWS estimated $52.9 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 92 mph, on May 21, 2000. 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 Rocky Mount.
October 9, 2016: flood 9 miles from the centre of Rocky Mount — 2 killed, $52.3 million damage.
June 17, 2022: lightning strike 6 miles from the centre of Rocky Mount — 1 injured.
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 Rocky Mount's 3 ZIP codes have filed 1,065 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1978, and were paid $43.5 million for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. The most came from Hurricane Floyd in 1999: 557 claims (52% of all) and $32.5 million, then Hurricane Matthew in 2016 with 209 and Hurricane Fran in 1996 with 51. 81% 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, 240 have fewer than Rocky Mount.
| Event | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Floyd1999 | 557 | $32.5 million |
| Hurricane Matthew2016 | 209 | $7.7 million |
| Hurricane Fran1996 | 51 | $501,000 |
| Hurricane Irene2011 | 11 | $261,000 |
Nash County, which includes Rocky Mount, has been named in 28 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1968, 14 of them major disasters (by incident: 14 hurricanes, 3 tropical storms, 2 biological emergencies, 2 ice storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Tropical Storm Helene, on September 28, 2024. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Nash County a Relatively Low rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Moderate for hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, inland flooding, strong wind, lightning and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $36.6 million a year, the 36th highest of 100 North Carolina counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $18.5 million (51%), 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).
Rocky Mount in the notable storm records: Hurricane Floyd (1999)
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.
Cities near Rocky Mount
- Battleboro, NC6 mi
- Nashville, NC9 mi
- Elm City, NC10 mi
- Whitakers, NC12 mi
- Pinetops, NC14 mi
- Tarboro, NC16 mi
- Wilson, NC16 mi
- Macclesfield, NC17 mi
- Spring Hope, NC17 mi
- Castalia, NC17 mi
- Enfield, NC18 mi
- Bailey, NC19 mi
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