Hertford County, North Carolina
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 37091 · population 21,546 · 353 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 257 records for Hertford County, North Carolina from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 200 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (99 records). The deadliest single record is the March 30, 1981 tornado: 1 death and 1 injury. FEMA has issued 28 declarations naming the county since 1968, 26 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
- 257on 200 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 115 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $145Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 18strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 28latest 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 Hertford County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 99 since 1966. 43% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1966 fell in May and June. 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 | 99 | 67 | 1966-2026 | 0 | 1 | $414K | 77 of 100 |
| Winter storms | 46 | 46 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1K | 50 of 100 |
| Hail | 32 | 27 | 1966-2022 | 0 | 0 | $176K | 88 of 100 |
| Floods | 20 | 18 | 1999-2024 | 0 | 0 | $35M | 72 of 100 |
| Heavy rain | 18 | 18 | 1998-2020 | 0 | 0 | – | 9 of 100 |
| Tornadoes | 18 | 15 | 1973-2021 | 1 | 14 | $87M | 19 of 100 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 8 | 8 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 0 | $22M | 32 of 100 |
| Extreme cold | 5 | 5 | 1996-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 40 of 100 |
| Heat | 5 | 5 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 17 of 100 |
| High wind and dust storms | 3 | 3 | 1997-2009 | 0 | 0 | $21K | 92 of 100 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 2011-2011 | 0 | 0 | – | 27 of 100 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2024-2024 | 0 | 0 | $9K | 82 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 Hertford County had?
NOAA records 18 tornadoes in Hertford County from 1973 to 2021, the strongest rated EF2, with 1 death and 14 injuries recorded in the county. That is 19th 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 18 tornadoes whose track touched Hertford County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 18, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 13 people, 1 of them in Hertford County.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-04-16 16:55, as SPC files it | Askewville | EF3 | 17.88 mi | 12 |
| 1981-03-30 16:45, as SPC files it | SuffolkCrossed NC, VA | F2 | 21.9 mi | 1 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in North Carolina.
Every tornado record filed for Hertford County (18)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-07-08 | Harrellsville, Hertford County | EF0 2.82 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2020-08-04 | Como, Hertford County | EF0 3 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $23K |
| 2020-08-04 | Menola, Hertford County | EF0 5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $23K |
| 2014-07-03 | California, Hertford County | EF0 0.9 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $50K |
| 2011-11-16 | Murfreesboro, Hertford County | EF0 1.67 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $16K |
| 2011-04-16 | Newsome Store, Hertford County | EF2 5.18 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.1M |
| 2011-04-16 | Newsome Store, Hertford County | EF2 3.57 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 3 | $2.9M |
| 2008-05-09 | Newsome Store, Hertford County | EF2 4.84 mi x 300 yd | 0 | 0 | $69K |
| 2003-05-09 | Murfreesboro, Hertford County | F1 7 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $40K |
| 2001-06-01 | Menola, Hertford County | F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 3 | $83K |
| 1992-11-04 | Hertford County | F1 1.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1991-03-29 | Hertford County | F1 1 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1984-03-28 | Hertford County | F1 1 mi x 177 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1984-03-28 | Hertford County | F2 2 mi x 527 yd | 0 | 5 | $25M step |
| 1983-05-16 | Hertford County | F2 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | $250K step |
| 1981-03-30 | Hertford County | F2 7.7 mi x 83 yd | 1 | 1 | $250K step |
| 1980-02-23 | Hertford County | F0 | 0 | 0 | $250 step |
| 1973-05-28 | Hertford County | F1 | 0 | 1 | $250K 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 Hertford County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the March 16, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($2,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindAhoskie, Hertford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-02-01 | Heavy SnowHertford County · forecast zone Hertford | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormHertford County · forecast zone Hertford | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-07-27 | Excessive HeatHertford County · forecast zone Hertford | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-23 | Excessive HeatHertford County · forecast zone Hertford | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-06-19 | Thunderstorm WindMurfreesboro, Hertford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $10K |
| 2025-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindMapleton, Hertford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $3K |
| 2025-05-16 | Thunderstorm WindCalifornia, Hertford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $4K |
| 2025-05-14 | Thunderstorm WindAhoskie Jernigan Arp, Hertford County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2025-02-19 | Heavy SnowHertford County · forecast zone Hertford | 0 | 0 | $1K | |
| 2021-07-08 | TornadoHarrellsville, Hertford County | EF0 2.82 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2020-08-04 | Tropical StormHertford County · forecast zone Hertford | 0 | 0 | $570K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981-03-30 | TornadoHertford County | F2 7.7 mi x 83 yd | 1 | 1 | $250K step |
| 1984-03-28 | TornadoHertford County | F2 2 mi x 527 yd | 0 | 5 | $25M step |
| 2011-04-16 | TornadoNewsome Store, Hertford County Tornado tracked from northeast Bertie county into southeast Hertford county. Tornado produced mainly EF2 damage in southeast Hertford county. Many homes were destroyed and several others suffered varying degrees of damage. In addition, there was damage to trees and wooded areas in the path of the tornado. | EF2 3.57 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 3 | $2.9M |
| 2001-06-01 | TornadoMenola, Hertford County A tornado touched down in the vicinity of Menola and Ahoskie Tri County Airport. There were reports of trees down and several buildings damaged. | F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 3 | $83K |
| 2000-06-22 | Thunderstorm WindMurfreesboro, Hertford County High winds blew down a telephone pole which struck an automobile and caused injury to the driver. | 50 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $5K |
| 1983-05-16 | TornadoHertford County | F2 2 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 1 | $250K step |
| 1973-05-28 | TornadoHertford County | F1 | 0 | 1 | $250K 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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-09-15 | Flash FloodCountywide, Hertford County | 0 | 0 | $35M | |
| 2011-08-27 | Tropical StormHertford County · forecast zone Hertford | 0 | 0 | $19M | |
| 2011-04-16 | TornadoNewsome Store, Hertford County | EF2 3.57 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 3 | $2.9M |
| 2003-09-18 | Hurricane (Typhoon)Hertford County · forecast zone Hertford | 0 | 0 | $2.2M | |
| 2011-04-16 | TornadoNewsome Store, Hertford County | EF2 5.18 mi x 500 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.1M |
| 2020-08-04 | Tropical StormHertford County · forecast zone Hertford | 0 | 0 | $570K | |
| 2019-05-31 | HailMurfreesboro, Hertford County | 4.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $173K |
| 2001-06-01 | TornadoMenola, Hertford County | F1 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 3 | $83K |
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 $25M, in the dollars of the day) holds: March 28, 1984 (tornado, Hertford 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 Hertford 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 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 11 | 19 | 32 | 19 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 5 | 15 | 20 | 6 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 6 | 1 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
43% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1966 fell in May and June. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 25 · Feb 23 · Mar 17 · Apr 24 · May 33 · Jun 33 · Jul 33 · Aug 18 · Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Nov 11 · Dec 9 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Hertford County
FEMA's register lists 28 declarations that include Hertford County: 14 major disasters, 14 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (16) and severe storm (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-24 | EM-3637 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2024-09-26 | EM-3617 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| 2024-08-06 | EM-3608 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 2022-10-01 | EM-3586 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| 2021-03-03 | DR-4588 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Eta |
| 2020-10-14 | DR-4568 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| 2020-08-02 | EM-3534 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| 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 |
| 2016-10-10 | DR-4285 | Hurricane | Hurricane Matthew |
| 2016-10-07 | EM-3380 | Hurricane | Hurricane Matthew |
| 2011-08-31 | DR-4019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2011-08-25 | EM-3327 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2011-04-19 | DR-1969 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 2010-10-14 | DR-1942 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2010-09-01 | EM-3314 | Hurricane | Hurricane Earl |
| 2005-09-14 | EM-3254 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ophelia |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3222 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2003-09-18 | DR-1490 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| 1999-09-16 | DR-1292 | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations |
| 1999-09-15 | EM-3146 | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations |
| 1996-09-06 | DR-1134 | Hurricane | Hurricane Fran |
| 1996-02-23 | DR-1103 | Snowstorm | Winter Storm |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1087 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1984-03-30 | DR-699 | Tornado | Severe Storms & Tornadoes |
| 1968-02-10 | DR-234 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm |
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 Hertford County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 20 flood or flash flood records for Hertford County from 1999 to 2024, on 18 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Hertford County ranks 1060th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Isaias | 2020-08-04 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Matthew | 2016-10-08 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Irene | 2011-08-27 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Isabel | 2003-09-18 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Floyd | 1999-09-15 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $3.2 million on 159 claims filed in Hertford County; the most in one year was 43 in 2001. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1979: 4 · 1981: 1 · 1984: 1 · 1991: 1 · 1992: 2 · 1994: 1 · 1996: 2 · 1999: 19 · 2001: 43 · 2003: 22 · 2004: 5 · 2005: 1 · 2006: 7 · 2008: 1 · 2010: 12 · 2011: 5 · 2012: 1 · 2016: 25 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 1 · 2024: 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 Hertford County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hertford County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $17.2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | Relatively High | $9.8M | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $692K | 3.4 modeled event-days a year |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $150K | 3.6 a year (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $412K | 6.6 modeled event-days a year |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $4.3M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | $723K | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Low | $150K | 2.3 a year (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $318K | 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 Hertford 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 Hertford CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Hertford County's FEMA declarations (CSV)28 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis