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Ashe County, North Carolina
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1959 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
1
Tornado reports
88
Hail reports
90
Floods since 1996
593
All events
3
Deaths
$129.0M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Ashe County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 1 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
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Year by year
All storm eventsTornadoes
NOAA's storm database records tornadoes back to 1950 and hail and thunderstorm wind back to 1955, but floods only from 1996 on. Older floods are missing here. For those, the U.S. Geological Survey's stream gauge records and flood reports are the place to look.
Most significant events
The strongest tornadoes, deadliest events and biggest damage here, up to 50.
Runoff from continued heavy rain resulted in numerous roads becoming flooded and impassible across Ashe County per reports from the public and from the Ashe County 911 Dispatch Center. Rainfall totals ranging from 7 to locally 11 inches were observed across much of the county on …
Thousands of trees were downed by high winds associated with the remnants of Hurricane Helene across the county, with swaths of tree damage reported near Othello, and the town of Lansing received extensive damage. Countless roads were blocked and hundreds of power poles were brok…
Drought Drought
Exceptional Drought conditions improved to Severe Drought conditions in Ashe county through the end of June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 10.00-15.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that per…
Drought Drought
Exceptional Drought conditions expanded into Ashe county through May after the previous several months of February, March, and April recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 25 to 50 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined w…
Drought Drought
Severe Drought conditions continued across Ashe county through April after the previous several months of January, February, and March recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Snow totals ranged from 3.0 to 8.5 inches. Key Impacts: transportation delays.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Several mesonet weather stations reported wind chill values dropping to -15F or lower. The lowest wind chill value recorded was -28F at Mount Jefferson.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A wintry mix occurred with reports of up to 4.0 inches of snow, up to 3.0 inches of sleet, and up to 0.10 inches of freezing rain. Key Impacts: power outages, transportation delays.
High Wind High Wind
Gusts to 64 mph were reported at both the Ashe County Airport and a location one mile north-northeast of West Jefferson.
High Wind High Wind
A 69 mph wind gust was reported by mesonet equipment located one mile north-northeast of West Jefferson at 11:30 AM EST. However, the wind gusted to 58 mph or greater five additional times that day, the first at 9:00 AM EST, with the last at 7:30 PM EST. The AWOS at the Ashe Coun…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Widespread snowfall occurred across the county the pre-dawn hours through the early afternoon of the 8th. Amounts ranged from 4.1 inches at a location one mile east-southeast of Jefferson, to 6.5 inches at a location one mile west-southwest of Jefferson. Key Impacts: Hazardous tr…
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Heavy rain caused Little Buffalo Creek to overflow its banks several inches deep across South Main Street in the Town of West Jefferson. No damage was reported to the road, which was open to traffic after the water receded.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Runoff from heavy rain, falling at rates as high as 4 inches per hour, caused Little Laurel Creek to flood out of its banks and wash out Little Laurel Road near the intersection with Rash School Road in Ashe County.
High Wind High Wind
Winds increased sharply with the passage of a cold front. At a location two miles east-northeast of Baldwin, gusts measured 58 mph, but with no damage noted.
High Wind High Wind
High winds blew down numerous trees that fell across roads and also knocked down power lines across the county.
High Wind High Wind
Over fifteen trees were blown down by non-thunderstorm winds around Ashe County, as well as a barn on Baker Hollow Road.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Between 0.25 and 0.50 inches of ice accumulated across Ashe County from February 11 through February 12. The highest amount of 0.50 inches was observed southwest of Laurel Springs. Almost 5500 customers were reported without power by the mid afternoon of February 12. Key Impacts:…
High Wind High Wind
A 71 mph gust was measured at the Ashe County Airport, and a 69 mph gust was measured near Baldwin. Over 720 customers in Ashe County had lost power by the morning of January 29.
High Wind High Wind
A wind gust of 62 mph was measured near Baldwin, North Carolina.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Between 3.5 and 7 inches fell across Ashe County from January 10 through January 11. The highest amount of seven inches was reported in West Jefferson. Key Impacts: power outages, vehicle accidents.
High Wind High Wind
A wind gust of 59 MPH was measured at the Ashe County Airport, and is one report from a high wind event that began on December 31st, 2024.
High Wind High Wind
Winds gusted 67 mph at a location two miles east-northeast of Baldwin. This event continued into January 1, 2025. At 1:30 am on January 1, 2025 a gust of 59 mph was recorded at the Ashe County Airport.
High Wind High Wind
High wind gusts peaked at 68 mph at Mt. Jefferson, 76 mph at the Ashe County Airport, and 79 mph at a location two miles east-northeast of Baldwin. Power was lost to an estimated peak of 2206 customers at 8:00 AM EST. Complete restoration was not complete until around 9:00 PM EST…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Snowfall totals ranged from around two to five inches across the county with the higher elevations receiving the most. Reports from near Ashland, Creston, and Flatwood each indicated at least 4.5 inches of snow. Key Impacts: transportation delays.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
U.S. Highway 221 Business was closed due to flooding caused by heavy rain from a thunderstorm. Rainfall rates from the storm were observed to be three to four inches per hour, with a total of around 1.5 inches.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds downed one tree on Rich Hill Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down at the intersection of Route 88 West and Rich Hill Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds blew a tree down on Roaring Fork Road. Damage values are estimated.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Runoff from heavy rain flowed down Rich Hill Creek and overflowed its banks several inches deep across Rich Hill Road and, eventually, Highway 88 in the community of Fig. Roaring Fork Road was also flooded in spots by Roaring Fork rising out of its banks. No damage was reported t…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was blown down on Little Laurel Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was blown don on Deep Ford Road. Damage values are estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A downed tree blocked the road within the 260 block of Deep Ford Road. Damage values are estimated.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A YouTube video captured by storm chasers depicts multiple roads flooded by at least six inches of flowing water in the town of West Jefferson, including N. Jefferson Avenue, and W. Main Street. A small creek running under N. 6th Avenue near Badger Funeral Home was flooded one to…
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A personal automated weather station (Weather Underground:KNCWESTJ54) measured 3.19 inches of rainfall during 60 minute period, the result of thunderstorms training across the area. This rainfall amount during this duration has a 100-year average recurrence interval per NOAA Atla…
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A personal automated weather station (Weather Underground:KNCWESTJ86) measured 3.11 inches of rainfall during 60 minute period, the result of thunderstorms training across the area. This rainfall amount during this duration has a 100-year average recurrence interval per NOAA Atla…
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
The Cooperative Weather Observer at Jefferson 2 E, NC (JFFN7) measured a 1-day total of 3.90 inches of rainfall, the result of thunderstorms training across the area. Radar indicates that much of the rain fell within about a 1-hour period, though multiple rounds of rain passed ac…
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Multiple roads just south of the Town of Warrensville were flooded and impassible by heavy rainfall accumulations of between 2 and 3 inches during a 60 to 90 minute period. This included Highway 88. No damage was reported in the Warrensville area during this heavy rain event.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds downed several trees near the Crumpler area.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several trees were downed by thunderstorm winds near the Grassy Creek area.
Heavy Rain Heavy Rain
A personal weather station (Weather Underground: KNCLANSI49) recorded a 2-hour rainfall amount of 2.76 inches. This is nearly a 25-year Average Recurrence Interval event per NOAA Atlas 14 Point Precipitation Frequency estimates. Rainfall rates were measured to be as high as 1.5 i…
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Water at least six inches deep was observed flowing across Flatwoods School Road due to heavy rain. No damage was reported to the road and it was open to traffic after the flooding ended.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds downed two trees in the Pond Mountain area. Damage values are estimated.
Debris Flow Debris Flow
A small mudslide occurred along Coy Ham Road, blocking part of the road until the debris could be cleared. Property damage is the estimate for the cleanup of the debris.
High Wind High Wind
A personal weather station located two miles east-northeast of Baldwin recorded a 62 mph wind gust. No damage was noted.
High Wind High Wind
Gusty winds blew down numerous trees and power lines across the county, which resulted in considerable power outages. The highest wind gust reported in the county was 69 mph from a personal weather station located two miles east-northeast of Baldwin.
High Wind High Wind
At least a couple of trees were blown down by high winds.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Snow accumulations of two to eight inches were reported across Ashe county including a report of 5.0 inches in Jefferson. Key impacts: traffic delays and accidents and scattered power outages.
High Wind High Wind
A gust of 64 MPH was measured at the Ashe County Airport in Ashe, North Carolina, and at a personal weather station near Baldwin, North Carolina.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 0 |
| 2025 | 13 | 0 |
| 2024 | 30 | 0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 0 |
| 2022 | 16 | 0 |
| 2021 | 10 | 0 |
| 2020 | 31 | 0 |
| 2019 | 18 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 0 |
| 2017 | 15 | 1 |
| 2016 | 15 | 0 |
| 2015 | 21 | 0 |
| 2014 | 15 | 0 |
| 2013 | 24 | 0 |
| 2012 | 21 | 0 |
| 2011 | 47 | 0 |
| 2010 | 19 | 0 |
| 2009 | 25 | 0 |
| 2008 | 38 | 0 |
| 2007 | 31 | 0 |
| 2006 | 22 | 0 |
| 2005 | 9 | 0 |
| 2004 | 12 | 0 |
| 2003 | 18 | 0 |
| 2002 | 15 | 0 |
| 2001 | 6 | 0 |
| 2000 | 12 | 0 |
| 1999 | 19 | 0 |
| 1998 | 14 | 0 |
| 1997 | 12 | 0 |
| 1996 | 26 | 0 |
| 1995 | 3 | 0 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 |
| 1959 | 1 | 0 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Ashe County, measured to its path.
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