Alexander County, North Carolina
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 37003 · population 36,437 · 260 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 422 records for Alexander County, North Carolina from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 359 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (129 records). The deadliest day on its record was November 12, 2020: flash flood and flood records filed for Alexander County that day count 6 deaths across 2 records. FEMA has issued 19 declarations naming the county since 1977, 17 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storm” on January 24, 2026.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 422on 359 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 84 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $23Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 11strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 19latest 2026
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Alexander County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 129 since 1963. 53% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1963 fell in July and August. The rank column places the county among North Carolina's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 129 | 116 | 1963-2025 | 0 | 2 | $2.0M | 18 of 100 |
| Winter storms | 119 | 113 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $13M | 11 of 100 |
| Hail | 61 | 50 | 1974-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 21 of 100 |
| Drought | 37 | 37 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 of 100 |
| High wind and dust storms | 19 | 19 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $2.5M | 20 of 100 |
| Floods | 17 | 14 | 2003-2024 | 7 | 1 | $695K | 67 of 100 |
| Extreme cold | 12 | 12 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 10 of 100 |
| Tornadoes | 11 | 9 | 1992-2022 | 1 | 0 | $2.6M | 39 of 100 |
| Lightning | 8 | 6 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 1 | $711K | 23 of 100 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 4 | 4 | 1997-2005 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 of 100 |
| Heat | 2 | 2 | 2012-2012 | 0 | 0 | – | 46 of 100 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 2 | 2 | 2018-2024 | 0 | 0 | $472K | 65 of 100 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2004-2004 | 0 | 0 | $2K | 81 of 100 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Alexander County had?
NOAA records 11 tornadoes in Alexander County from 1992 to 2022, the strongest rated F2, with 1 death and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 39th of 100 North Carolina counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 11 tornadoes whose track touched Alexander County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 11, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people, 1 of them in Alexander County.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in North Carolina.
Every tornado record filed for Alexander County (11)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-23 | All Healing Spgs, Alexander County | EF1 6.17 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K |
| 2021-08-17 | Stony Pt, Alexander County | EF1 1.74 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2019-04-19 | Smiths Store, Alexander County | EF0 0.53 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2017-10-23 | Bethlehem, Alexander County | EF1 5.72 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2017-10-23 | All Healing Spgs, Alexander County | EF1 8.17 mi x 200 yd | 1 | 0 | – |
| 2011-08-18 | Paynes Store, Alexander County | EF0 0.36 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $656K |
| 2011-04-28 | All Healing Spgs, Alexander County | EF1 4.32 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2005-07-07 | Taylorsville, Alexander County | F2 4 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $227K |
| 1998-05-07 | Bethlehem, Alexander County | F1 10 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $815K |
| 1998-05-07 | Hiddenite, Alexander County | F0 5 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $769K |
| 1992-03-10 | Alexander County | F0 0.2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Alexander County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the July 12, 2025 lightning (1 injury).
Emergency manager reported a 50-year-old male was hospitalized after being struck by lightning at a golf course just west of Taylorsville.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1285808)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtAlexander County · forecast zone Alexander | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtAlexander County · forecast zone Alexander | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-01 | Cold/Wind ChillAlexander County · forecast zone Alexander | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-30 | Heavy SnowAlexander County · forecast zone Alexander | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormAlexander County · forecast zone Alexander | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-12 | LightningTaylorsville Airport, Alexander County | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2025-05-08 | Thunderstorm WindTaylorsville Airport, Alexander County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-02-16 | Strong WindAlexander County · forecast zone Alexander | 40 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2025-02-11 | Winter WeatherAlexander County · forecast zone Alexander | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-01-06 | Winter WeatherAlexander County · forecast zone Alexander | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-09-27 | Tropical StormAlexander County · forecast zone Alexander | 0 | 0 | $470K | |
| 2023-07-15 | Flash FloodAll Healing Spgs, Alexander County | 1 | 1 | $10K |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-11-12 | Flash FloodVashti, Alexander County Emergency manager reported major flash flooding developed throughout Alexander County after up to 9 inches of rain fell in 24 hours, with around half of that falling in a 3-hour period prior to daybreak on the 12th. The most significant flooding occurred along the South Yadkin River in the Hiddenite area. Multiple ... | 5 | 0 | $399K | |
| 2023-07-15 | Flash FloodAll Healing Spgs, Alexander County Fire dept reported flash flooding developed along Duck Creek after 4 to 6 inches of rain fell in just a few hours along the Caldwell/Alexander County line. Two individuals were swept down the creek when they fled their vehicle after driving into flood water at Duck Creek Dr and Dover Church Rd. A 49-year old woman ... | 1 | 1 | $10K | |
| 2020-11-12 | FloodVashti, Alexander County Although heavy rainfall tapered off across Alexander County throughout the morning, runoff from the earlier excessive rain continued to cause elevated stream levels and localized high water conditions to persist into the afternoon. A portion of a bridge over the South Yadkin collapsed on Cheatham Ford Rd during this ... | 1 | 0 | $114K | |
| 2017-10-23 | TornadoAll Healing Spgs, Alexander County NWS storm survey found a path of a tornado across northwest Alexander County. This could have been the continuation of a tornado path that began across the southwest part of the county and straddled the Caldwell County line. However, the path of that tornado was lost in a heavily wooded area east of Caldwell Pond Rd ... | EF1 8.17 mi x 200 yd | 1 | 0 | – |
| 1997-06-20 | Thunderstorm WindStony Pt, Alexander County A slow moving thunderstorm dumped several inches of rain in a short time west of Franklin flooding at least one creek and closing the Old Murphy Road for a time. A severe storm near the Tennessee border caused large hail at the police station in Hot Springs. A downburst blew over a mobile home near the Iredell county ... | 0 | 2 | $92K | |
| 2025-07-12 | LightningTaylorsville Airport, Alexander County Emergency manager reported a 50-year-old male was hospitalized after being struck by lightning at a golf course just west of Taylorsville. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-12-04 | Ice StormAlexander County · forecast zone Alexander | 0 | 0 | $13M | |
| 2001-03-20 | High WindAlexander County · forecast zone Alexander | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1.7M |
| 2011-04-04 | Thunderstorm WindTaylorsville Airport, Alexander County | 75 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1.3M |
| 1998-05-07 | TornadoBethlehem, Alexander County | F1 10 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $815K |
| 1998-05-07 | TornadoHiddenite, Alexander County | F0 5 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $769K |
| 2011-08-18 | TornadoPaynes Store, Alexander County | EF0 0.36 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $656K |
| 2015-07-18 | LightningBethlehem, Alexander County | 0 | 0 | $623K | |
| 2020-11-12 | Flash FloodVashti, Alexander County | 5 | 0 | $399K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: March 10, 1992 (tornado, Alexander County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Alexander County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 40 | 46 | 18 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 19 | 49 | 40 | 11 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 24 | 19 | 2 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 7 | 28 | 0 | 2 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 4 | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 0 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
53% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1963 fell in July and August. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 56 · Feb 46 · Mar 24 · Apr 21 · May 49 · Jun 45 · Jul 65 · Aug 42 · Sep 18 · Oct 9 · Nov 15 · Dec 32 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Alexander County
FEMA's register lists 19 declarations that include Alexander County: 9 major disasters, 10 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (7) and snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3637 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2024-09-28 | DR-4827 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| 2024-09-26 | EM-3617 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| 2022-10-01 | EM-3586 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| 2021-03-03 | DR-4588 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Eta |
| 2020-08-02 | EM-3534 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| 2020-05-08 | DR-4543 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2020-03-25 | DR-4487 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3471 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-09-03 | EM-3423 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| 2018-09-10 | EM-3401 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3222 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-10 | DR-1546 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Frances |
| 2002-12-12 | DR-1448 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm |
| 1996-02-23 | DR-1103 | Snowstorm | Winter Storm |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1087 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1993-03-17 | EM-3110 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm |
| 1989-09-25 | DR-844 | Hurricane | Hurricane Hugo |
| 1977-08-11 | EM-3049 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Alexander County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 17 flood or flash flood records for Alexander County from 2003 to 2024, on 14 days, with 7 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Alexander County ranks 2523rd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm Eta | 2020-11-12 | 2 | 6 |
| Hurricane Helene | 2024-09-27 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $42,000 on 6 claims filed in Alexander County; the most in one year was 2 in 2012. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2012: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Alexander County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Alexander County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $10.6 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Storm | Relatively High | $541K | 1.4 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $478K | 2.6 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $355K | once in about 21 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $6.6M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $216K | 53 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $1.0M | once in about 10 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $129K | 30 modeled event-days a year |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $620K | about once a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Alexander County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in North CarolinaEvery North Carolina tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Severe thunderstorm wind in North CarolinaThe state's severe thunderstorm wind events, by county, year and month
- The North Carolina recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Alexander CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Alexander County's FEMA declarations (CSV)19 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis