Goldsboro
Population 35,012 (2025)
40 tropical storms and hurricanes have passed within 50 miles of Goldsboro since 1851; the strongest at closest approach was Hazel in 1954 (Category 2).
Hazard fingerprint Each spoke is this county’s percentile among U.S. counties where that hazard occurs. How it is computed
- Tornado damage paths within 25 miles since 1950112
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger92
- Major flood years since 1978, Wayne County4
At a glance
Tornado paths within 25 miles, tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles and wildfire perimeters within 25 miles of the city centre. Storm events, flood insurance claims and disaster declarations are for Wayne County. Earthquakes within 50 miles, volcanoes within 100 miles and smoke days are measured from the city centre; river and tide gauges, tsunami and landslide records and the drought index are for Wayne County.
Strongest tornado
F4
March 28, 1984, 28.0 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
Cat. 2
Hurricane Hazel, 1954, 29.4 miles away
Tornadoes
About one tornado a year since 1950, 11 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
March 28, 1984
F4, 28.0 mile path
1,223 yards wide; 16 killed along the whole path.
Most recent
Thursday, August 8, 2024
EF3, 6.5 mile path
2 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 6.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF2 | 9.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2023 | EF1 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 3, 2022 | EF1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF1 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF0 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EFU | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2018 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 14, 2018 | EF0 | 9.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2016 | EF0 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 29, 2014 | EF0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF1 | 4.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 21, 2014 | EF1 | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 26, 2013 | EF0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 11, 2012 | EF1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 6, 2011 | EF0 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 20.4 | 30 | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 9.0 | 10 | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF1 | 8.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 29.9 | 13 | 3 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 52.9 | 176 | 2 |
| Mar 6, 2011 | EF0 | 0.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 6, 2011 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| May 5, 2009 | EF2 | 2.8 | 1 | 0 |
| May 5, 2009 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| May 5, 2009 | EF0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 5, 2009 | EF0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 27, 2009 | EF1 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF2 | 4.1 | 2 | 1 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF0 | 3.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 25, 2008 | EF0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 27, 2008 | EF0 | 1.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 27, 2008 | EF0 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2008 | EF0 | 0.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2008 | EF0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2008 | EF0 | 2.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 18, 2008 | EF2 | 1.5 | 3 | 0 |
| Jul 17, 2007 | EF0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 14, 2006 | F1 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 14, 2006 | F1 | 0.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2005 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2004 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 4, 2004 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 4, 2004 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 4, 2004 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 9, 2003 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2002 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2002 | F1 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 21, 2000 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 14, 2000 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1998 | F1 | 1.5 | 3 | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1998 | F1 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1998 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1998 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 8, 1998 | F2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1997 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 1, 1997 | F0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1996 | F1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1996 | F2 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1996 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1996 | F0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1996 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1996 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1996 | F0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1996 | F0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1996 | F2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 5, 1995 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jan 6, 1995 | F1 | 0.5 | 22 | 0 |
| Jan 6, 1995 | F1 | 1.0 | 8 | 0 |
| Jan 6, 1995 | F1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | F1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | F3 | 160.0 | 44 | 0 |
| Nov 4, 1992 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 4, 1992 | F0 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 4, 1992 | F1 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov 4, 1992 | F1 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1986 | F2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 18, 1985 | F1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | F4 | 28.0 | 153 | 16 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | F3 | 9.0 | 81 | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | F4 | 21.0 | 149 | 3 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | F3 | 40.0 | 101 | 12 |
| Jul 4, 1981 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1980 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1980 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | F3 | 4.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | F1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | F1 | 0.2 | 2 | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | F1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1976 | F1 | 5.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1976 | F2 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| May 23, 1975 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1975 | F2 | 32.6 | 20 | 0 |
| May 29, 1973 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 29, 1973 | F1 | 17.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1971 | F1 | 64.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | F3 | 85.7 | 60 | 2 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | F3 | 25.8 | 1 | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1966 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1964 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1963 | F2 | 85.8 | 12 | 3 |
| Apr 8, 1962 | F0 | 64.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1961 | F1 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1961 | F1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Mar 18, 1956 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 16, 1955 | F2 | 6.6 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 20, 1954 | F2 | 0.5 | 4 | 0 |
- Injuries and deaths are for the tornado’s whole path, which may extend beyond this area.
- Weak tornadoes were under-recorded before Doppler radar coverage became national in the early 1990s, so earlier decades read low. Ratings use the Fujita scale before February 2007 and the Enhanced Fujita scale after.
Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
40 passed within 50 miles since 1851; 7 at hurricane strength.
Strongest within 50 miles
October 15, 1954
Hazel, Category 2
29.4 miles at closest approach, winds near 108 mph.
Most recent
September 23, 2023
Ophelia, Tropical storm
42.4 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
| Ophelia | 2023 | 42.4 | Tropical storm |
| Ian | 2022 | 93.8 | Post-tropical |
| Elsa | 2021 | 47.4 | Tropical storm |
| Claudette | 2021 | 12.8 | Tropical storm |
| Isaias | 2020 | 7.0 | Tropical storm |
| Nestor | 2019 | 30.7 | Post-tropical |
| Michael | 2018 | 63.2 | Tropical storm |
| Florence | 2018 | 82.2 | Category 1 |
| Hermine | 2016 | 54.0 | Tropical storm |
| Arthur | 2014 | 90.1 | Category 2 |
| Andrea | 2013 | 18.3 | Post-tropical |
| Beryl | 2012 | 77.0 | Tropical storm |
| Irene | 2011 | 87.9 | Category 1 |
| Hanna | 2008 | 14.6 | Tropical storm |
| Gabrielle | 2007 | 95.0 | Tropical storm |
| Barry | 2007 | 74.8 | Post-tropical |
| Ernesto | 2006 | 13.5 | Tropical storm |
| Alberto | 2006 | 6.4 | Post-tropical |
| Charley | 2004 | 34.5 | Tropical storm |
| Isabel | 2003 | 63.1 | Category 1 |
| Helene | 2000 | 2.2 | Tropical storm |
| Floyd | 1999 | 48.7 | Category 1 |
| Dennis | 1999 | 16.1 | Tropical storm |
| Earl | 1998 | 10.4 | Post-tropical |
| Bonnie | 1998 | 59.1 | Category 1 |
| Josephine | 1996 | 37.3 | Post-tropical |
| Fran | 1996 | 42.9 | Category 1 |
| Bertha | 1996 | 27.4 | Category 1 |
| Arthur | 1996 | 97.2 | Tropical storm |
| Allison | 1995 | 49.2 | Post-tropical |
| Charley | 1986 | 94.1 | Category 1 |
| Kate | 1985 | 82.5 | Tropical storm |
| Diana | 1984 | 23.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1982 | 81.1 | Subtropical storm |
| Dennis | 1981 | 72.2 | Tropical storm |
| Agnes | 1972 | 24.9 | Tropical storm |
| Doria | 1971 | 59.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1970 | 85.9 | Tropical storm |
| Alma | 1970 | 40.2 | Tropical storm |
| Doria | 1967 | 98.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1965 | 9.6 | Post-tropical |
| Isbell | 1964 | 17.5 | Post-tropical |
| Dora | 1964 | 69.3 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1961 | 50.3 | Tropical storm |
| Donna | 1960 | 65.9 | Category 2 |
| Brenda | 1960 | 30.4 | Tropical storm |
| Helene | 1958 | 99.2 | Category 4 |
| Unnamed | 1956 | 55.0 | Post-tropical |
| Flossy | 1956 | 33.3 | Post-tropical |
| Ione | 1955 | 71.9 | Category 1 |
| Diane | 1955 | 27.1 | Tropical storm |
| Connie | 1955 | 81.8 | Category 2 |
| Hazel | 1954 | 29.4 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1947 | 20.4 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1946 | 50.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1945 | 73.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1945 | 89.9 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1944 | 43.6 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1944 | 13.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1935 | 38.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1929 | 58.9 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1928 | 6.8 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1925 | 85.0 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1924 | 23.4 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1924 | 68.8 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1920 | 70.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1918 | 77.4 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1916 | 13.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1913 | 19.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1912 | 19.3 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1910 | 83.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1908 | 94.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1908 | 72.2 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1907 | 52.2 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1904 | 34.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1902 | 58.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1901 | 96.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1901 | 87.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1900 | 93.4 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1899 | 36.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1896 | 72.5 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1894 | 29.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1894 | 70.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 34.8 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 19.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 31.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1889 | 64.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1888 | 59.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1888 | 58.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 31.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 97.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 79.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 57.8 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1883 | 12.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1882 | 60.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1882 | 86.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1881 | 29.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1880 | 68.0 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1879 | 84.3 | Category 3 |
| Unnamed | 1878 | 52.7 | Category 2 |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 42.9 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1876 | 31.9 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1874 | 9.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1872 | 33.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1867 | 47.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1863 | 64.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1861 | 90.7 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1861 | 50.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1859 | 77.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1857 | 59.1 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1856 | 47.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1856 | 86.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1854 | 11.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1852 | 49.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1851 | 11.1 | Tropical storm |
- Tropical storms and hurricanes (34 kt or more, still tropical) at closest approach. Post-tropical remnants with gale-force winds are listed but not counted. Direct: track within 50 miles; near: within 100 miles. Distance is measured to the county boundary for counties and to the city centre for cities, using positions interpolated hourly between HURDAT2 fixes.
National Hurricane Center HURDAT2, 1851 to 2025.
Wildfire and smoke
No large wildfire has been mapped within 25 miles since satellite mapping began in 1984.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 36 days
Heavy smoke on 5 days in 2023, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
8.1 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
7 days
Medium or heavy smoke. 30 so far in 2026.
- A smoke day is a date on which a smoke plume traced by NOAA Hazard Mapping System analysts from satellite imagery covered this place's point (the county's population centre or the city centre). Counts here are of medium or heavy smoke. Since 2018 analysts have often drawn light smoke as one area over most of the continent, so light-smoke counts are not comparable from year to year. The plumes show smoke anywhere in the air above, not air quality at the ground, and smoke hidden by cloud is missed.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, 2011 to 2026, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Floods and flood insurance
1,193 federal flood insurance claims since 1978, with $47.0 million paid.
Flood insurance figures are for Wayne County, the county that contains Goldsboro.
Most claims in one year
2016: 456 claims
$30.0 million paid.
2nd most
1999: 394 claims
$10.6 million paid.
3rd most
2018: 161 claims
$4.6 million paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 27530 | 840 | $32.4 million |
| 27534 | 179 | $8.3 million |
| 28578 | 56 | $3.0 million |
| 28333 | 39 | $1.2 million |
| 28365 | 27 | $583,000 |
| 28551 | 19 | $680,000 |
| 27569 | 15 | $403,000 |
| 27863 | 8 | $86,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood53
- Heavy Rain11
- Flood5
4 deaths recorded in flood events since 1996.
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).
OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026. NOAA Storm Events through 2026.
River crests
River gauges in Wayne County, the county that contains Goldsboro.
Most severe crest
October 12, 2016
Neuse River near Goldsboro, 29.74 ft
11.74 feet above the 18.0 ft flood stage; major flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
August 14, 2024
Neuse River near Goldsboro, 21.29 ft
Moderate flooding.
River gauges
| Neuse River at Main St in Seven Springs | 15.0 | 17.67 ft | 0 |
| Neuse River near Goldsboro | 18.0 | 29.74 ft | 12 |
| Stony Creek at Bus US 70 | 9.0 | — | 0 |
- Crests are the highest and the recent crests the National Weather Service lists for each river gauge in the county that has a flood stage, not every flood. Flood categories use each gauge's current flood stages; crests from before levees, dams or channel changes may not be comparable. Crests measured on an old datum are left out of the rankings.
NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge records, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Drought
In severe drought or worse for 95 of 1,581 months since 1895 (6%); the longest spell lasted 19 months.
The drought index is for Wayne County, the county that contains Goldsboro.
95
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
20
Months in extreme drought
6%
Share of all months, severe or worse
Lowest reading
July 1986
−4.78, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
19 months
May 1985 to November 1986.
Latest month
September 2026
−4.64, extreme drought
- The Palmer Drought Severity Index is computed by NOAA each month from the county's average temperature and precipitation, relative to the county's own climate. Zero is normal; -3 or lower is severe drought and -4 or lower extreme drought. It describes the long-term balance of moisture, not water supply or crop losses.
NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, 1895 to September 2026, issued October 6, 2026.
Earthquakes
No earthquake of magnitude 2.5 or more is recorded within 50 miles of the city centre in the USGS catalogue, which begins in 1900.
Severe weather and other events
615 events in the National Weather Service record for Wayne County, 492 of them since 1996.
58
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
1
Hail, 2 inches or larger
233
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
42
Winter weather events since 1996
6
Heat events since 1996
2
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
June 9, 1988
2.75 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
April 30, 1981
91 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 11 | 1 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Oct 9, 2016Flood$121 million
National Weather Service narrative
Torrential rainfall of 12 to 15 inches caused widespread flash flooding across the county. Additional rainfall upstream caused all-time record major flooding along the Neuse River near Goldsboro. Flooding damaged approximately 5,092 structures throughout the county, resulting in $120.8 million in property damage and and at least $20 million in crop damage. Numerous roads were closed due to flooding. Numerous homes and businesses were flooded as well, with more than 125 people rescued from trapped homes and vehicles. There were 2 direct fatalities when a 54 year old male and a 47 year old female when their vehicles were swept away by flood waters along Wayne Memorial Drive near…
- Sep 17, 2018Flood$20.9 million
National Weather Service narrative
Torrential rainfall of 15 to 20 inches upstream caused major flooding along the Neuse River Basin. Flooding damaged approximately 1,482 structures throughout the county, resulting in over $20.93 million in property damage, and over $30 million in crop damage. Numerous streets and roads were reported flooded.
- Jul 5, 1997Hail$2.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL FELL ON OAKLAND CHURCH ROAD. CONSIDERABLE CROP DAMAGE OCCURRED OVER WESTERN AND NORTHERN WAYNE COUNTIES DURING THE HAIL STORMS.
- Aug 10, 2007Thunderstorm Wind$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Numerous trees were blown down all throughout the city. Numerous roads were blocked by downed trees and power lines from Wayne Memorial Drive east to Highway 13. A Days Inn Motel on HWY 70 sustained major roof damage. Four people were transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital with injuries ranging from a broken leg to scratches.
- Sep 5, 2019Tropical Storm, Wayne$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Frequent wind gusts of 35 to 55 mph resulted in scattered to numerous trees and power lines down across Wayne County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Wayne County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
- Oct 29, 2020Strong Wind, Wayne$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Frequent wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph resulted in scattered to numerous trees and power lines down across Wayne County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Wayne County as a result of the strong winds.
- Sep 13, 2018Tropical Storm, Wayne$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Frequent wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph resulted in numerous trees down across Wayne County, including on homes, cars, power lines and damage to structures. Numerous customers lost power in Wayne County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.|A 81 year old male died(indirect)when he fell and struck his head while packing to evacuate.
- Aug 27, 2011High Wind, Wayne$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Trees and power-lines were blown down all throughout the county. Several homes were damaged from fallen trees and a portion of the Berkeley Mall collapsed. A fatality occurred when two cars collided with another at an intersection where the traffic signals were out.
- Aug 3, 2020Tropical Storm, Wayne$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Frequent wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph resulted in scattered to numerous trees and power lines down across Wayne County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Wayne County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
- Sep 30, 2022Tropical Storm, Wayne$750,000
National Weather Service narrative
Frequent wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph resulted in scattered to numerous trees and power lines down across Wayne County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Wayne County as a result of the tropical storm force wind gusts.
- Storm Events records before 1996 cover only tornadoes, thunderstorm wind and hail. Damage figures are as reported by the National Weather Service at the time, not adjusted for inflation.
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1950 to 2026, issued October 26, 2026.
Weather records
From Wilson 3 Sw, 21.9 miles from the city centre, with records from 1916.
- All-time high
- 107°FJul 22, 1952
- All-time low
- −5°FJan 21, 1985
- Warmest night
- 89°FAug 8, 1918
- Coldest day
- 17°FJan 22, 1985
- Wettest day
- 9.53 inSep 16, 1999
- Snowiest day
- 15.0 inDec 11, 1958
- Hottest year
- 2024mean 63.9°F
- Coldest year
- 1988mean 57.0°F
- Wettest year
- 198973.46 in
- Driest year
- 198130.58 in
- Snowiest season
- 30.3 in1947-48
Median first snow
January 18
Earliest: November 26, 1938
Median last snow
February 9
Latest: March 26, 1971
22 of 67 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Wilson 3 Sw (USC00319476), 110 ft elevation, 21.9 miles from the city centre. Daily records from 1916 to October 25, 2026; 97.6% of days in the last 30 years are complete. Records at a single station can differ from a city’s official threaded record, which may combine several stations.
NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily.
Federal disaster declarations
28 since 1953. The most recent: Severe Winter Storm, January 24, 2026.
Declarations for Wayne County.
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3637-NC |
| Sep 26, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3617-NC |
| Aug 6, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3608-NC |
| Oct 1, 2022 | Hurricane | EM-3586-NC |
| Aug 2, 2020 | Hurricane | EM-3534-NC |
| May 8, 2020 | Severe Storm | DR-4543-NC |
| Mar 25, 2020 | Biological | DR-4487-NC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3471-NC |
| Oct 4, 2019 | Hurricane | DR-4465-NC |
| Sep 3, 2019 | Hurricane | EM-3423-NC |
| Sep 14, 2018 | Hurricane | DR-4393-NC |
| Sep 10, 2018 | Hurricane | EM-3401-NC |
| Oct 10, 2016 | Hurricane | DR-4285-NC |
| Oct 7, 2016 | Hurricane | EM-3380-NC |
| Aug 31, 2011 | Hurricane | DR-4019-NC |
| Aug 25, 2011 | Hurricane | EM-3327-NC |
| Sep 14, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3254-NC |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3222-NC |
| Sep 18, 2003 | Hurricane | DR-1490-NC |
| Dec 12, 2002 | Severe Ice Storm | DR-1448-NC |
| Sep 16, 1999 | Hurricane | DR-1292-NC |
| Sep 15, 1999 | Hurricane | EM-3146-NC |
| Aug 27, 1998 | Hurricane | DR-1240-NC |
| Mar 22, 1998 | Severe Storm | DR-1211-NC |
| Sep 6, 1996 | Hurricane | DR-1134-NC |
| Mar 30, 1984 | Tornado | DR-699-NC |
| Aug 11, 1977 | Drought | EM-3049-NC |
| Feb 10, 1968 | Severe Ice Storm | DR-234-NC |
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).
OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved October 30, 2026. Statewide declarations are not listed.
Sources and vintage
Every number on this page comes from these public records.
- Tornadoes NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, through 2025.
- Tropical cyclones NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 (Atlantic; Northeast and Central Pacific), through 2025.
- Wildfire USGS/USFS Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity, through 2026.
- Storm events NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, through 2026.
- Flood insurance OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, refreshed August 4, 2026.
- Declarations OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Weather records NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily, station USC00319476.
- River crests NOAA National Weather Service, National Water Prediction Service river gauges, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Drought NOAA NCEI nClimDiv county Palmer Drought Severity Index, through September 2026.
- Smoke NOAA NESDIS Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, retrieved October 30, 2026.
- Earthquakes USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), retrieved October 30, 2026.
Joins, thresholds and known limits are set out in the methodology. Found an error? Report it. Page built October 30, 2026.