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Lee County, North Carolina
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1956 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
6
Tornado reports
58
Hail reports
29
Floods since 1996
339
All events
4
Deaths
$68.6M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Lee County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 5 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.
The tornado exited Moore County and proceeded to strengthen to an EF1 as it moved into Lee County along Wildlife Road. The tornado blew a single wide trailer off its foundation, while also damaging the home home next door. The tornado continued to intensify to EF3 intensity along…
A 39 year old male was struck and killed by a lightning strike while taking cover from the storm under a tree in Sanford, North Carolina.
Four to six inches of snow fell countywide with the heaviest amounts recorded along and east of Highway 1 including Sanford. Many roads were impassible due to the heavy snow. A seven year old boy was killed while playing in the road as a car slid on the snow and ice striking the …
An EF-1 tornado touched down at the Raleigh Executive Jetport 7.5 miles northeast of Sanford in Lee County, North Carolina. Several hangers had damage to wall panels and doors. Several aircraft were damaged. Minor damage to the taxiway occurred. The tornado briefly lifted before …
Torrential rainfall of 10 to 15 inches caused widespread flash flooding across the county. Additional heavy rainfall upstream caused moderate flooding along the Deep River near Moncure. Flooding damaged approximately 210 structures throughout the county, destroying 13 and resulti…
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A couple trees were down in the area around the intersection between Dycus Road and Camelot Lane.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A total of 4 to 5 inches of snow fell across the county.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A half inch to an inch of snow and sleet fell, with trace amounts of ice accumulation.
Frost/Freeze Frost/Freeze
Minimum temperatures were below freezing across the county, including a reported low of 28 degrees at Sanford-Lee County Regional Airport.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Heat indices ranged from 108 to 112 degrees.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
One tree was reported down near the intersection of United States Highway 1 and Quail Ridge Drive.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Duke energy reported fallen trees or powerlines damaging their equipment, causing power outages.
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
Nearly 2000 customers were without power due to trees falling on power equipment.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A few hundred power outages were reported, due to trees down on power lines.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Duke Energy reported power outages caused by fallen trees or limbs damaging power equipment.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was down at the 4000 block of Lower River Road.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Heat indices ranged from 108 to 110 degrees.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Heat indices ranged from 108 to 112 degrees.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Water over the road at Carthage Street and Wicker Street.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flooding was reported over Maple Avenue.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Knee deep flooding was reported on Seventh Street and six inch deep flooding was reported on Rose Street. The roads were either closed or impassable.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Knee deep flooding was reported on Seventh Street and six inch deep flooding was reported on Rose Street. The roads were either closed or impassable.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Multiple water rescues were reported around Sanford.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was down on south Franklin Drive.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was down on Doyle Cox Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was down on Minter School Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was down along the roadway of Lower River Road and Ragan Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Power lines down near the 400 block of Amos Bridges Rd.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Tree down on roadway near the 700 block of Chelsea Dr.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Power lines down along Cotten Rd.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees and power lines down at the 2400 block of Nob Hill Dr.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were reported down at Petty Rd and Creek Trail.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees and power lines were reported down at the intersection of Wellington Dr. and Cool Springs Rd.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down near the 400 block of East Weatherspoon St.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several trees were reported down in Sanford.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were reported down in the town of Tramway.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was blown down onto powerlines along south Main St. near Stevens Ave in Broadway.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees were reported down in Sanford.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Power outages were reported from trees falling on power lines within the town of Jonesboro.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down near the intersection of Willett Road and Hickory House Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees were reported down near United States Highway 1 in Sanford.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees and powerlines were reported down near the intersection of Center Church Rd and Jefferson Davis Highway.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down, blocking the road near Greenwood Rd and Joe Matthews Rd.
Hail Hail
Hail Hail
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A large tree was reported down along Carbonton Road.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 27 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 |
| 2023 | 9 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 |
| 2020 | 9 | 0 |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 |
| 2018 | 14 | 0 |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 |
| 2016 | 10 | 0 |
| 2015 | 10 | 1 |
| 2014 | 8 | 0 |
| 2013 | 4 | 0 |
| 2012 | 6 | 0 |
| 2011 | 19 | 1 |
| 2010 | 17 | 0 |
| 2009 | 13 | 0 |
| 2008 | 25 | 0 |
| 2007 | 6 | 0 |
| 2006 | 11 | 1 |
| 2005 | 5 | 0 |
| 2004 | 6 | 1 |
| 2003 | 5 | 0 |
| 2002 | 5 | 0 |
| 2001 | 6 | 0 |
| 2000 | 10 | 0 |
| 1999 | 4 | 0 |
| 1998 | 17 | 0 |
| 1997 | 4 | 0 |
| 1996 | 13 | 0 |
| 1995 | 2 | 0 |
| 1993 | 2 | 0 |
| 1992 | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 | 4 | 0 |
| 1988 | 5 | 0 |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 |
| 1986 | 4 | 0 |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 |
| 1984 | 3 | 0 |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 | 1 | 0 |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 |
| 1969 | 1 | 0 |
| 1964 | 1 | 0 |
| 1963 | 1 | 0 |
| 1956 | 2 | 1 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Lee County, measured to its path.
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