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Orange 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.
12
Tornado reports
84
Hail reports
79
Floods since 1996
584
All events
7
Deaths
$80.6M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Orange County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 11 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 vehicle of a 58 year old female on her way to work was submerged in flood waters. The victim was swept away upon trying to exit the vehicle.
One tree fell on a mobile home in the 1200 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard, resulting in a fatality.
A large tree was blown down on the 300 Block of East Franklin Street killing a 20 year old female.
Tree fell on Interstate 85 near mile marker 168 when lightning struck a tree. One fatality when a motorcyclist struck the down tree.
A man was struck and killed by lightning.
There were numerous reports of stranded/submerged vehicles, washed out roadways, apartments and residential homes flooded, and law enforcement performed multiple water rescues, including one at Camelot Village. Total estimated damages may have exceeded 30 million across Orange Co…
A tornado initially touched down in the White Cross area and Leslie Drive area of southwest Orange County. Considerable tree damage occurred in this area, including the snapping and splitting of healthy large-trunk trees. Subsequent damage to vehicles and homes occurred as the tr…
Torrential rainfall of 6 to 10 inches caused widespread flooding across the county, which caused flooding along the Eno River and other creeks and streams throughout the county. Additionally, water held in Jordan Lake from rainfall in its headwaters resulted in flooding along the…
One quarter to one half of an inch of ice from freezing rain resulted in widespread downed trees and power-lines. Additionally, snowfall of 1 to 1.5 inches fell across the county.
Heavy rain (4-5 inches) resulted in extensive flooding in the city of Chapel Hill. The first floor of the Town Hall flooded and may be closed for up to a year for repairs. Franklin Street saw widespread flooding, with water above the windows of cars in several locations and some …
Lightning struck a home in Chapel Hill and caught fire. The house burned to the ground when the lightning got into the gas lines of the home.
Flooding of streets and buldings was reported countywide, especially in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The Eastgate Shopping center was damaged, as well as several apartments and homes. A bridge was washed out on Piney Mountain Rd.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down near intersection of Guess Road and Jameson Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down near intersection of Joseph Mary Court and Old North Carolina Highway 10.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down on power lines near the intersection of Mount Sinai Road and Kerley Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down near the intersection of North Carolina Highway 54 West and Hatch Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down near the 5500 block of Saint Marys Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A power pole was reported down near the 7100 block of Caviness Jordan Road.
Hail Hail
One inch hail was measured near Carrboro.
Hail Hail
One inch hail was reported near Chapel Hill.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Several hundred power outages were reported from trees down on powerlines.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A total of 3 to 6 inches of snow fell across the county.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
A half inch to an inch of snow and sleet fell, along with a tenth of an inch of freezing rain.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
One tree and power line were reported down at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Estes Drive.
Frost/Freeze Frost/Freeze
Minimum temperatures were at or below freezing across the county, including a reported low of 27 degrees at Efland and 29 degrees at Hillsborough.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Trees were reported down on power equipment along Carr Store Road and Highway 86.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
Heat indices ranged from 108 to 112 degrees.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple trees were reported down near the 2300 block of White Cross Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
One tree was reported down near the intersection of Jones Ferry Road and Damascus Church Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
One tree was reported down near the 600 block of Morgan Creek Road.
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
Trees were reported down on power lines, resulting in power outages at Schley Road and NC Highway 57.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down near the intersection of Lannie Drive and Piney Grove Church Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
A tree was reported down at Miller Road and Meadow Wind Lane.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flooding was reported near the 200 block of N Churton Street.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flooding was reported along Chestnut Ridge Church Road.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flooding was reported along Old Greensboro Road, with high water across the roadway.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
The public reported high water flowing over Pearson Road where it crosses South Fork Little River.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flooding was reported on Tallyho Trail.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flooding was reported from Toms creek between Poplar Place and Ashbrook apartments.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
The Chapel Hill police reported flooding at the intersection of Bennett Road and Mt. Carmel Church Road.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
The Chapel Hill police reported flooding along the Pritchard Avenue Extension.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Chapel Hill police reported flooding at South Estes Drive and Willow Drive.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Chapel Hill police reported flooding at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Estes Drive.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
An emergency manager reported flooding at the intersection of Orange Grove Road and South Churton Street.
Tornado EF1 Tornado
A tornado touched down on the northern end of Royal Oak Lane, just north of Lake Michael and slowly drifted to the south about a quarter mile before lifting. During this brief time on the ground, considerable tree damage was done, with dozens of trees snapped and uprooted.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Multiple large trees were reported down near the neighborhood of High Park.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Flooding was reported along portions of Interstate 85/40. The Eastbound lanes were closed near Buckhorn Road.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 0 |
| 2025 | 47 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 |
| 2023 | 23 | 0 |
| 2022 | 36 | 1 |
| 2021 | 19 | 1 |
| 2020 | 16 | 0 |
| 2019 | 16 | 1 |
| 2018 | 27 | 0 |
| 2017 | 17 | 0 |
| 2016 | 19 | 0 |
| 2015 | 19 | 0 |
| 2014 | 15 | 0 |
| 2013 | 10 | 0 |
| 2012 | 21 | 0 |
| 2011 | 16 | 0 |
| 2010 | 23 | 1 |
| 2009 | 25 | 0 |
| 2008 | 29 | 0 |
| 2007 | 6 | 0 |
| 2006 | 16 | 0 |
| 2005 | 9 | 1 |
| 2004 | 10 | 1 |
| 2003 | 11 | 0 |
| 2002 | 6 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | 17 | 1 |
| 1999 | 8 | 0 |
| 1998 | 16 | 0 |
| 1997 | 4 | 0 |
| 1996 | 15 | 0 |
| 1995 | 10 | 0 |
| 1994 | 3 | 1 |
| 1993 | 4 | 0 |
| 1992 | 8 | 1 |
| 1991 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990 | 4 | 0 |
| 1989 | 3 | 0 |
| 1988 | 4 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 | 6 | 0 |
| 1985 | 9 | 0 |
| 1984 | 2 | 0 |
| 1983 | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 | 2 | 1 |
| 1974 | 1 | 0 |
| 1967 | 1 | 0 |
| 1961 | 1 | 0 |
| 1956 | 1 | 0 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Orange County, measured to its path.
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