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Avery County, North Carolina
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1965 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
2
Tornado reports
59
Hail reports
38
Floods since 1996
681
All events
7
Deaths
$122.5M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Avery County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 2 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.
A stream gauge on the North Toe River in Newland indicated devastating flash flooding developed along the stream in Newland and vicinity as rainfall rates intensified during the evening of the 26th. The heaviest rainfall and most significant flooding occurred toward sunrise, as t…
A lightning strike near Macrae Peak in Grandfather Mountain State Park injured seven people. One individual fell, resulting in a head injury which required them to be airlifted to a nearby hospital. Another suffered burns, while other injuries were minor.
Tens of thousands of trees were blown down, with hundreds of trees down on homes, vehicles, and power lines. Frequent gusts up to 80 mph occurred, with occasional gusts of 100 mph on exposed high elevation ridgetops.
Major flooding, the worst since 1977, destroyed numerous homes and vehicles.
Drought Drought
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Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Flood Flood
Although heavy rainfall tapered off across Avery County by noon, extensive flooding continued along the North Toe River and some tributaries through the afternoon before the water receded during the evening.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
A stream gauge on the North Toe River at Newland exceeded its established flood stage after 1.5 to 3 inches of rain fell across the area in less than 6 hours. A portion of River St was inundated as were greenways along the river in Newland and vicinity.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
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Winter Weather Winter Weather
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
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Tornado EF1 Tornado
NWS storm survey found the path of a rare EF1 tornado over far northern Avery County. The tornado touched down just east of where Dark Ridge Rd crosses into Tennessee, where multiple large tree limbs were snapped. The damage path extended east/northeast into a heavily wooded area…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
County comms reported a few trees and power lines blown down from the Plumtree area through Ingalls.
Hail Hail
Public reported (via Social Media) large hail near the Mayland community.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
County comms reported a tree blown down in Minneapolis and another down on Linville Falls Highway.
Hail Hail
Public reported 3/4 inch hail near Crossnore.
Hail Hail
Public reported ping pong ball size hail fell, damaging vehicles on Highway 105 in the Sugar Mountain area.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 0 |
| 2025 | 12 | 0 |
| 2024 | 16 | 0 |
| 2023 | 12 | 1 |
| 2022 | 13 | 0 |
| 2021 | 13 | 0 |
| 2020 | 13 | 0 |
| 2019 | 13 | 0 |
| 2018 | 18 | 0 |
| 2017 | 10 | 0 |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 |
| 2015 | 15 | 0 |
| 2014 | 19 | 0 |
| 2013 | 26 | 0 |
| 2012 | 22 | 0 |
| 2011 | 25 | 0 |
| 2010 | 25 | 0 |
| 2009 | 21 | 0 |
| 2008 | 27 | 0 |
| 2007 | 26 | 0 |
| 2006 | 26 | 0 |
| 2005 | 38 | 0 |
| 2004 | 31 | 0 |
| 2003 | 41 | 0 |
| 2002 | 28 | 0 |
| 2001 | 24 | 0 |
| 2000 | 31 | 0 |
| 1999 | 25 | 0 |
| 1998 | 35 | 0 |
| 1997 | 21 | 0 |
| 1996 | 28 | 0 |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | 3 | 0 |
| 1977 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | 1 | 0 |
| 1965 | 1 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Avery County, measured to its path.
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