Pinehurst
Population 18,670 (2025)
22 tropical storms and hurricanes have passed within 50 miles of Pinehurst since 1851; the strongest at closest approach was an unnamed storm in 1896 (Category 1).
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 195038
- Tropical cyclone tracks within 100 miles since 1851, wider where stronger57
- Wildfire burn scars within 25 miles since 198411
- Major flood years since 1978, Moore County3
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 Moore 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 Moore County.
Strongest tornado
EF3
April 16, 2011, 65.2 mile path
Strongest tropical cyclone
Cat. 1
Hurricane (unnamed), 1896, 6.3 miles away
Tornadoes
About one every 2 years since 1950, 3 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.
Strongest
April 16, 2011
EF3, 65.2 mile path
500 yards wide; 6 killed along the whole path.
Most recent
Thursday, May 21, 2020
EF1, 0.2 mile path
6 years ago.
Every recorded tornado
| May 21, 2020 | EF1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF1 | 1.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2011 | EF0 | 1.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 52.9 | 176 | 2 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 65.2 | 103 | 6 |
| Jul 7, 2005 | F0 | 12.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2004 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2004 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2004 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2004 | F1 | 8.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2004 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2004 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 29, 2004 | F0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2004 | F1 | 3.0 | 4 | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2004 | F1 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul 2, 2003 | F0 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 |
| May 19, 1995 | F1 | 6.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Nov 4, 1992 | F0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1991 | F1 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 |
| Oct 23, 1990 | F0 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| May 19, 1988 | F0 | 0.4 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1982 | F1 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1982 | F1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Feb 11, 1981 | F2 | 7.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 11, 1981 | F2 | 5.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1978 | F1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | F1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1975 | F1 | 11.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1974 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | F0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 24, 1973 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| May 11, 1973 | F1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1971 | F1 | 64.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | F3 | 21.9 | 15 | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1963 | F2 | 11.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1954 | F1 | 16.6 | 0 | 0 |
| May 14, 1950 | F1 | 3.8 | 0 | 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
22 passed within 50 miles since 1851; 3 at hurricane strength.
Strongest within 50 miles
September 29, 1896
Unnamed storm, Category 1
6.3 miles at closest approach, winds near 83 mph.
Most recent
July 8, 2021
Elsa, Tropical storm
8.8 miles at closest approach.
Every storm within 100 miles
| Elsa | 2021 | 8.8 | Tropical storm |
| Claudette | 2021 | 22.4 | Tropical storm |
| Isaias | 2020 | 78.6 | Tropical storm |
| Nestor | 2019 | 21.8 | Post-tropical |
| Michael | 2018 | 39.5 | Tropical storm |
| Florence | 2018 | 97.0 | Tropical storm |
| Hermine | 2016 | 96.1 | Tropical storm |
| Andrea | 2013 | 39.0 | Tropical storm |
| Hanna | 2008 | 66.2 | Tropical storm |
| Ernesto | 2006 | 92.4 | Tropical storm |
| Alberto | 2006 | 29.0 | Post-tropical |
| Charley | 2004 | 91.2 | Tropical storm |
| Earl | 1998 | 53.9 | Post-tropical |
| Josephine | 1996 | 80.9 | Post-tropical |
| Fran | 1996 | 43.5 | Category 1 |
| Allison | 1995 | 80.2 | Post-tropical |
| Hugo | 1989 | 93.1 | Category 1 |
| Bob | 1985 | 52.6 | Tropical storm |
| Diana | 1984 | 68.5 | Tropical storm |
| David | 1979 | 55.2 | Tropical storm |
| Agnes | 1972 | 60.8 | Tropical storm |
| Alma | 1970 | 10.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1965 | 24.7 | Post-tropical |
| Brenda | 1960 | 97.9 | Tropical storm |
| Flossy | 1956 | 73.9 | Post-tropical |
| Diane | 1955 | 58.4 | Tropical storm |
| Hazel | 1954 | 59.3 | Category 2 |
| Able | 1952 | 63.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1952 | 38.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1947 | 55.8 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1946 | 99.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1945 | 1.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1944 | 13.4 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1944 | 71.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1935 | 10.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1929 | 1.8 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1928 | 69.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1927 | 71.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1924 | 67.5 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1916 | 78.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1916 | 64.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1915 | 77.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1912 | 25.9 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1904 | 24.9 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1902 | 1.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1899 | 40.7 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1896 | 6.3 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1894 | 77.2 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1894 | 97.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 50.9 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 35.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 58.2 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1893 | 86.5 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1889 | 28.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1888 | 5.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 29.0 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1886 | 54.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 14.8 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1885 | 97.0 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1883 | 67.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1882 | 48.6 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1881 | 99.9 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1878 | 27.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1877 | 16.3 | Post-tropical |
| Unnamed | 1874 | 68.5 | Category 1 |
| Unnamed | 1867 | 29.4 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1859 | 41.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1856 | 70.7 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1854 | 22.3 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1852 | 74.1 | Tropical storm |
| Unnamed | 1851 | 50.9 | 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
11 large fires burned within 25 miles since 1984.
Largest
May 2, 2021
Slates Church Fire, 1,823 acres
13.8 miles from the city centre.
Most recent
July 2, 2023
Scotland Lake Lane Fire
776 acres in total.
Every large fire
| Scotland Lake Lane | 2023 | 14.4 | 776 |
| Slates Church Fire | 2021 | 13.8 | 1,823 |
| Strausburg Road | 2018 | 13.8 | 1,220 |
| Marshton Road | 2018 | 15.4 | 622 |
| Gardner Farm Lane | 2017 | 14.3 | 1,111 |
| County Line Road Fire | 2016 | 11.5 | 1,703 |
| Rifle Range Fire | 2015 | 13.2 | 697 |
| Chucks First Big One | 2010 | 14.1 | 1,251 |
| Unnamed | 2009 | 14.5 | 685 |
| Unnamed | 2009 | 16.6 | 552 |
| Unnamed | 2009 | 21.2 | 870 |
- Large fires mapped by the Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity program since 1984: 1,000 acres or more in the West, 500 or more in the East. Prescribed burns are excluded. Acres here are the part of each perimeter inside this place.
Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (USGS and U.S. Forest Service), 1984 to 2026.
Smoke overhead
Smokiest year
2023: 42 days
Heavy smoke on 3 days in 2025, the most of any year.
Last 10 years
9.5 days a year
Medium or heavy smoke, 2016 to 2025.
2025
9 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
154 federal flood insurance claims since 1996, with $2.9 million paid.
Flood insurance figures are for Moore County, the county that contains Pinehurst.
Most claims in one year
2016: 54 claims
$802,000 paid.
2nd most
2018: 39 claims
$663,000 paid.
3rd most
2025: 25 claims
$1.2 million paid.
Claims by ZIP code
| 28394 | 73 | $1.0 million |
| 28374 | 39 | $1.2 million |
| 28327 | 18 | $388,000 |
| 28387 | 16 | $89,000 |
| 28315 | 6 | $149,000 |
Flood events since 1996
- Flash Flood51
- Flood4
- Heavy Rain4
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 Moore County, the county that contains Pinehurst.
Most severe crest
August 9, 2024
Little River (NC) near Mount Pleasant, 18.10 ft
3.10 feet above the 15.0 ft flood stage; moderate flooding by today’s categories.
Most recent moderate or major crest
August 9, 2024
Little River (NC) near Mount Pleasant, 18.10 ft
Moderate flooding.
| Aug 9, 2024 | Little River (NC) near Mount Pleasant | 18.10 | +3.10 |
River gauges
| Aberdeen Cr at W South St | 9.0 | — | 0 |
| Little River (NC) at Niagara Carthage Rd | 14.0 | — | 0 |
| Little River (NC) near Mount Pleasant | 15.0 | 18.10 ft | 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 128 of 1,581 months since 1895 (8%); the longest spell lasted 29 months.
The drought index is for Moore County, the county that contains Pinehurst.
128
Months in severe drought or worse since 1895
44
Months in extreme drought
8%
Share of all months, severe or worse
Lowest reading
July 2002
−5.91, extreme drought
Longest severe spell
29 months
November 2010 to March 2013.
Latest month
September 2026
−4.44, 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
7 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more within 50 miles since 1980; none reached magnitude 4.
2
Magnitude 3+ within 50 miles since 1973
0
Magnitude 4+ within 50 miles since 1900
0
Magnitude 5+ within 50 miles since 1900
Largest within 50 miles
September 25, 2006
Magnitude 3.7
7 km W of Rowland, North Carolina; 45.3 miles away, 3.1 miles deep.
Most recent, magnitude 3 or more
September 25, 2006
Magnitude 3.7
7 km W of Rowland, North Carolina; 45.3 miles away.
- Earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more in the USGS Comprehensive Catalog since 1900. Within 50 miles means the epicentre lies within 50 miles of the city centre.
- Small earthquakes were under-recorded before the modern seismic networks of the 1970s and are still missed in remote areas, so early decades read low. Magnitudes are as the catalogue reports them and mix scales (moment, local and body-wave).
USGS ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog, 1900 to present, retrieved October 30, 2026.
Severe weather and other events
635 events in the National Weather Service record for Moore County, 542 of them since 1996.
69
Hail reports, 1 inch or larger
1
Hail, 2 inches or larger
295
Damaging gusts, 58 mph+
48
Winter weather events since 1996
4
Heat events since 1996
2
Cold events since 1996
Largest hail
July 3, 1995
2.75 inches
Strongest measured or estimated gust
July 10, 1988
81 mph
More event types since 1996
| Lightning | 14 | 2 |
Costliest events since 1996
- Sep 17, 2018Flood$8.3 million
National Weather Service narrative
Torrential rainfall of 10 to 15 inches caused widespread flooding across the county. Additional rainfall upstream resulted in major flooding along the Flat Creek near Vass. Flooding damaged approximately 418 structures throughout the county, destroying 29 and resulting in approximately $8.34 million in property damage. Crop damage was at least $20 million. Numerous streets and roads were reported flooded.
- Jul 6, 2025Flash Flood$5.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Aberdeen Creek flooded parts of North Carolina Highway 5 and US Highway 1 with several roads closed in the area. Damage estimates may have exceeded 5 million, including to roads, bridges, infrastructure, and residential areas.
- Oct 8, 2016Flash Flood$3.9 million
National Weather Service narrative
Widespread heavy rainfall of 4 to 8 inches caused widespread flash flooding across the county. Numerous roads were closed due to flooding. Numerous homes and businesses were flooded as well. Flooding damaged approximately 838 structures throughout the county, resulting in $3.9 million in property damage.
- Sep 13, 2018Tropical Storm, Moore$1.0 million
National Weather Service narrative
Frequent wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph resulted in numerous trees down across Moore County, including on homes, cars, power lines and damage to structures. Numerous customers lost power in Moore County as a result of the tropical storm force winds.
- Oct 29, 2020Strong Wind, Moore$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 Moore County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Moore County as a result of the strong winds.
- Sep 30, 2022Tropical Storm, Moore$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 Moore County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Moore County as a result of the tropical storm force wind gusts. A 24 year old male died when he car hydroplaned and ran off the road and struck a tree.
- Aug 19, 2010Lightning$400,000
National Weather Service narrative
A Carthage home was completely destroyed when lightning hit a tree right behind the house and branched off into the home.
- Sep 6, 2008Flash Flood$200,000
National Weather Service narrative
Several roads were closed around Southern Pines and across Moore County. This included several ramps on and off of Highway 1. Flood waters rose into many yards and storage units. Several vehicles were flooded along with a few recreational vehicles.
- Apr 19, 2019Tornado$200,000
National Weather Service narrative
A tornado briefly touched down in the Robbins area of northwest Moore County. Damage consisted of numerous snapped and uprooted trees and subsequent damage to the roofs of several homes that the trees fell on. Based on the damage to the trees, this tornado was rated an ef-1 with maximum wind speeds of 90 to 100 mph.
- Jul 14, 2004Lightning$150,000
National Weather Service narrative
Lightning started a fire at the Sedgemere Horse Farm on Niagara-Carthage Road. A horse barn was completely destroyed.
- 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 Jackson Springs 5 Wnw, 11.7 miles from the city centre, with records from 1952.
- All-time high
- 107°FAug 22, 1983
- All-time low
- −5°F2 times, most recently Jan 22, 1985
- Warmest night
- 80°FJul 26, 1953
- Coldest day
- 14°FFeb 19, 1979
- Wettest day
- 9.15 inJul 20, 1956
- Snowiest day
- 16.0 inJan 25, 2000
- Hottest year
- 1990mean 63.2°F
- Coldest year
- 1963mean 58.5°F
- Wettest year
- 201874.82 in
- Driest year
- 200733.17 in
- Snowiest season
- 19.5 in1999-00
Median first snow
January 18
Earliest: December 4, 1971
Median last snow
February 11
Latest: March 26, 1972
22 of 46 winters had no measurable snow.
Station Jackson Springs 5 Wnw (USC00314464), 730 ft elevation, 11.7 miles from the city centre. Daily records from 1952 to August 31, 2026; 98.5% 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
23 since 1953. The most recent: Severe Winter Storm, January 24, 2026.
Declarations for Moore County.
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3637-NC |
| Sep 11, 2025 | Tropical Depression | DR-4889-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 |
| Mar 25, 2020 | Biological | DR-4487-NC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3471-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 |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | EM-3222-NC |
| Dec 12, 2002 | Severe Ice Storm | DR-1448-NC |
| Jan 31, 2000 | Severe Storm | DR-1312-NC |
| Sep 16, 1999 | Hurricane | DR-1292-NC |
| Sep 15, 1999 | Hurricane | EM-3146-NC |
| Sep 6, 1996 | Hurricane | DR-1134-NC |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | DR-1087-NC |
| Aug 11, 1977 | Drought | EM-3049-NC |
| Mar 2, 1977 | Snowstorm | EM-3033-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 USC00314464.
- 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.