Home / States / North Carolina
Columbus County, North Carolina
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1950 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
34
Tornado reports
179
Hail reports
59
Floods since 1996
630
All events
14
Deaths
$162.1M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Columbus County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 33 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated
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.
Tornado touched down among manufactured homes just north of Old Lake Road and tracked across an area of more substantial homes and businesses along NC Highway 87. There were 13 homes (mobile and brick) destroyed and more than two dozen damaged. Damage was rated as F3 due to const…
Hurricane Matthew moved up the eastern seaboard, bringing very heavy rain and wind to the region. The peak wind for the county occurred at Whiteville, with a measured gust of 59 mph. Tropical storm force winds and flooded ground caused widespread tree and power line damage. Trees…
Heavy rains from Hurricane Floyd accumulated around 12 inches in the western part and near 20 inches in the eastern part of the county, causing the worst flooding in county history. High water closed many roads, including newly completed U.S. 74/76, and inundated low-lying areas.…
Two men were crossing an open field when they were struck by lightning, killing them instantly.The sky was described as cloud-free at the time, but 15 minutes later it was pouring rain.
A heat wave caused many to require hospital treatment in Columbus County and in neighboring counties in Southeast North Carolina. A farm worker died of heat stroke after hospitalization.
Twenty structures suffered damage. The tornado lifted roofs off of five residences, and destroyed four mobile homes near National Spinning Mill. Trees and power lines were knocked down.
Strong thunderstorm winds overturned two mobile homes. One child, one teenager and two adults were injured. $1.7 million damage to homes and eleven businesses. Numerous power lines were downed. Several liquid propane gas tanks were damaged.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down on a power line on Water Tank Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A large tree was reported down in Columbus County. No additional information was available.
Tornado EF1 Tornado
Damage began near 356 Delco School Road, where several trees were snapped and power lines were downed. A short distance away at McPherson`s Acme General Store (1355 Old Stage Road), a metal awning was torn from the structure and destroyed, damaging a nearby 500-gallon propane tan…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Emergency management reported trees down as well as minor vinyl siding damage to a house.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were reported down on one house as well as powerlines.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Snow began on January 31 and ended on February 1, ranging from 7 to 10 inches across the county, with an isolated area of 10 to 16 inches of snow near the state line. Impacts from the storm were limited.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Snow began on January 31 and ended on February 1, ranging from 7 to 10 inches across the county, with an isolated area of 10 to 16 inches of snow near the state line. Impacts from the storm were limited.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Railroad St was completely flooded.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Six inches of standing water was reported over E Calhoun St and covering up to apartment steps.
Hail Hail
Quarter size hail was reported along Highway 701 north of Whiteville.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Cars were reported stalling in floodwaters on JK Powell Blvd at Washington St.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Water was flowing across Swamp Fox Highway near Chandler Worley Farm.
Flood Flood
Flooding of roads and yards reported on E College St near McKenzie St.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tree down on road near Columbus Regional Airport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Downed trees reported near the intersection of Pine Level Church Road and Ramsey Ford Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Downed trees reported near the intersection of Swamp Fox Highway East and Indigo Flats East.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down along Wright Rd.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tree reported down along Midway Drive, south of Rough and Ready Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tree down on Strawberry Blvd according to Emergency Management.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tree down along Mill Pond Rd according to Emergency Management.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tree down along Ramsey Ford Rd according to Emergency Management.
Hail Hail
A report came in of quarter sized hail.
Hail Hail
Reports of quarter sized hail as well as penny and marble size were received on the office spotter line.
Hail Hail
A report of quarter sized hail was received.
Funnel Cloud Funnel Cloud
A funnel cloud was reported near fire station in Cerro Gordo.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tree down blocking one lane of New Britton Hwy East (NC-130) near the Brunswick/Columbus County line.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tree down blocking one lane of New Britton Hwy East (NC-130) near the Brunswick/Columbus County line.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Four to six inches of snow and sleet mix fell across Columbus county, with a maximum of 6.5 inches measured west of Lake Waccamaw, NC. County offices were closed for two days.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
US 74/76 was closed at NC Highway 11 due to flooding.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Water from Molly's Branch creek is flowing across W Burkhead St. and W. Lewis St.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Water flowing across the road near Seven Creeks Rd. and Ward Town Rd.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Large tree down on NC 130.
Tornado EF0 Tornado
A tornado touched down on the southwest corner of the intersection of Old Lumberton Rd and Red Store Rd, and was captured on video crossing Old Lumberton Rd. A few outbuildings sustained moderate damage, including a blown in garage door and partial loss of roof panels. A few shin…
Tornado EF0 Tornado
Additional damage was discovered 5 miles south of Clarkton, leading to a longer path length. The tornado touched down near Coastal Farm south of Hwy 701 and broke several small limbs out of pine trees. It continued northeast causing minor damage as it tracked a few hundred yards …
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Downed trees along old Lumberton Road just south of the Arthur Collier Road intersection in Evergreen. Time estimated by radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Downed tree near the intersection of Red Hill Road and Green Elkins Road. Time estimated by radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Columbus county EM reports tree down at Old Lumberton Road and Paul Wiloughby Road in Evergreen. Time estimated via radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Downed trees were reported along the 100 block of Webster Street in downtown Whiteville. Time estimated by radar.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 1 |
| 2025 | 21 | 0 |
| 2024 | 21 | 2 |
| 2023 | 10 | 0 |
| 2022 | 10 | 0 |
| 2021 | 6 | 1 |
| 2020 | 10 | 3 |
| 2019 | 8 | 1 |
| 2018 | 17 | 1 |
| 2017 | 15 | 0 |
| 2016 | 27 | 0 |
| 2015 | 30 | 1 |
| 2014 | 12 | 0 |
| 2013 | 11 | 0 |
| 2012 | 34 | 2 |
| 2011 | 40 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 13 | 0 |
| 2008 | 38 | 1 |
| 2007 | 9 | 0 |
| 2006 | 30 | 2 |
| 2005 | 7 | 1 |
| 2004 | 12 | 1 |
| 2003 | 15 | 1 |
| 2002 | 19 | 0 |
| 2001 | 11 | 0 |
| 2000 | 30 | 0 |
| 1999 | 18 | 0 |
| 1998 | 20 | 1 |
| 1997 | 6 | 0 |
| 1996 | 20 | 1 |
| 1995 | 20 | 1 |
| 1994 | 4 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 3 | 0 |
| 1991 | 5 | 2 |
| 1990 | 5 | 0 |
| 1989 | 3 | 0 |
| 1988 | 3 | 0 |
| 1987 | 4 | 0 |
| 1986 | 7 | 0 |
| 1985 | 9 | 0 |
| 1984 | 6 | 1 |
| 1983 | 3 | 1 |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 |
| 1979 | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 | 3 | 0 |
| 1977 | 3 | 0 |
| 1976 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 | 1 | 1 |
| 1974 | 2 | 1 |
| 1971 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 |
| 1967 | 1 | 1 |
| 1966 | 2 | 0 |
| 1964 | 2 | 1 |
| 1963 | 2 | 0 |
| 1961 | 1 | 0 |
| 1959 | 1 | 1 |
| 1950 | 1 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Columbus County, measured to its path.
We couldn’t get your location. Check that location access is allowed for this site, or type an address.