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Johnston County, North Carolina
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1958 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
25
Tornado reports
173
Hail reports
76
Floods since 1996
864
All events
20
Deaths
$87.3M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Johnston County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 25 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.
Frequent wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph resulted in scattered to numerous trees and power lines down across Johnston County, including some on homes. Numerous customers lost power in Johnston County as a result of the tropical storm force wind gusts. A 24 year old woman died when she…
Heavy rain resulted in flash flooding along Galilee Road. Part of the road washed away in the flooded waters, which resulted in a car being swept off the road. Two individuals were not able to be rescued and drowned in the flood waters.
Torrential rainfall of 9 to 12 inches caused widespread flash flooding across the county. Additional 5 to 6 inches of rainfall upstream caused all-time record major flooding along the Neuse River Basin. Flooding damaged approximately 1,160 structures throughout the county, result…
One quarter to one half of an inch of freezing rain accrual was reported across the county. In addition, snowfall/sleet amounts of around one half of an inch fell. Icy roads created difficult travel conditions during the morning of the 22nd, with numerous automobile accidents rep…
Nine to twelve inches of snow fell countywide including Smithfield, Clayton, Kenly and Benson. A six year old boy was killed when his mother lost control of her pickup truck and overturned on Highway 70.
Two teenagers drowned when their car hydroplaned, flipped and came to rest in a swollen swampy area. The vehicle was submerged. The passenger was found inside the car, with her seat belt on, while the driver's body was found by a water rescue team 150 feet away from the car.
The tornado initially touched down around just north of Piney Grove Church Road, and damage was limited to minor tree and structural damage. The tornado then tracked northeast, over bare fields and stands of mature trees for approximately three quarters of a mile, twisting off ma…
Light freezing rain during the early morning hours just prior to sunrise resulted in several automobile accidents from black ice on numerous bridges. A 31 year old male was killed on Highway 70 near Smithfield when struck by a car sliding on the ice. The man was killed while asse…
A farm worker was overcome by heat exhaustion. He was taken to the local hospital where his body temperatures was measured at 108. A 3 year old boy died after he apparently go into his parents car and could not get out.
The tornado exited Harnett County and continued northeast into southern Johnston County. The tornado track south of Benson, where it crossed NC Highway 242 and NC Highway 50. Several modular homes were destroyed, and numerous other homes sustained major damage. There was also hun…
More than forty trees were reported down, along with multiple power lines down and several homes damaged due to trees falling on them and the wind around Benson.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Downed trees caused a large power outage just east of Archer Lodge along Covered Bridge Road. Over two thousand customers were without power.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Downed trees caused a large power outage near the intersection of Buffalo Road and Hidden Acres Drive. Around six hundred customers were without power.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Numerous large trees were reported down near the intersection of Covered Bridge Road and Forest Oaks Drive.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Powerlines were reported down near Crockers Nub Road and Old Bailey Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down on powerlines along Highway 231.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Pictures from broadcast media showed large broken tree limbs and a blown over trailer at residences around Thompson Road and Faith Church Road.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A total of 4 to 6 inches of snow fell across the county.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Up to one half inch of sleet fell, along with a quarter inch of ice accumulation.
Frost/Freeze Frost/Freeze
Minimum temperatures were at or below freezing across the county, including a reported low of 30 degrees in Clayton.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Downed trees were reported down in Benson along East Harnett Street, Hodges Chapel Road, and Mingo Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Power outages were caused downed power lines.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Fallen trees and power lines were reported.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Heat indices ranged from 108 to 112 degrees.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Heat indices ranged from 109 to 112 degrees.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Heat indices ranged from 108 to 112 degrees.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down along Interstate 40 near exit 319.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were reported down along the 4400 block of Brogden Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were reported down along the 400 block of WC Braswell Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Power outages were caused by fallen trees damaging power equipment along North Carolina highway 96 and Keen Road near Four Oaks.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 were closed near mile marker 338 due to several trees down, one of which fell on a car. No injuries were reported.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down on utility lines causing power outages.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several power outages were reported, due to fallen trees on power lines.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were reported down on power lines, resulting in power outages.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were reported down along interstate 40.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Heat indices ranged from 110 to 114 degrees.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
One tree was reported down.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Heat indices ranged from 110 to 114 degrees.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Powerlines were reported down near the intersection of Barnes Road and Brooke Lane.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was blown down along Woodard's Dairy Road near Flower Hill Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Powerlines were reported down on Banner Elk Rd near North Carolina highway 50.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down on powerlines on Covered Bridge Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down on Smith Road.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
High water was reported on business highway 70 in Smithfield, making the road impassable.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
One tree was reported down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several trees were reported down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were reported down on power lines near NC Highway 96 and Branch Chapel Church Rd, resulting in power outages.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 0 |
| 2025 | 32 | 1 |
| 2024 | 13 | 0 |
| 2023 | 27 | 0 |
| 2022 | 24 | 0 |
| 2021 | 24 | 0 |
| 2020 | 41 | 0 |
| 2019 | 31 | 3 |
| 2018 | 30 | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 | 0 |
| 2016 | 30 | 0 |
| 2015 | 25 | 0 |
| 2014 | 22 | 0 |
| 2013 | 17 | 1 |
| 2012 | 36 | 0 |
| 2011 | 23 | 2 |
| 2010 | 32 | 0 |
| 2009 | 40 | 4 |
| 2008 | 44 | 4 |
| 2007 | 34 | 3 |
| 2006 | 48 | 0 |
| 2005 | 4 | 0 |
| 2004 | 14 | 1 |
| 2003 | 12 | 0 |
| 2002 | 15 | 1 |
| 2001 | 11 | 0 |
| 2000 | 19 | 0 |
| 1999 | 18 | 0 |
| 1998 | 20 | 0 |
| 1997 | 9 | 0 |
| 1996 | 23 | 0 |
| 1995 | 17 | 0 |
| 1994 | 3 | 0 |
| 1993 | 6 | 0 |
| 1992 | 4 | 3 |
| 1991 | 4 | 0 |
| 1990 | 6 | 0 |
| 1989 | 18 | 0 |
| 1988 | 5 | 0 |
| 1987 | 10 | 0 |
| 1986 | 20 | 0 |
| 1985 | 7 | 0 |
| 1984 | 6 | 0 |
| 1983 | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | 2 | 0 |
| 1977 | 1 | 1 |
| 1975 | 1 | 0 |
| 1973 | 4 | 1 |
| 1971 | 1 | 0 |
| 1970 | 4 | 0 |
| 1958 | 2 | 0 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Johnston County, measured to its path.
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