McDowell County, North Carolina
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 37111 · population 44,525 · 440 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 805 records for McDowell County, North Carolina from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 549 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (231 records). The deadliest single record is the April 13, 2000 dense fog, filed for the forecast zone McDowell, which covers the county: 1 death and 14 injuries. FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1973, 19 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
- 805on 549 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 321 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $147Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 6strongest F2
- FEMA declarations
- 21latest 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 McDowell County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 231 since 1996. 60% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 231 | 178 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $15M | 14 of 100 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 202 | 159 | 1977-2026 | 0 | 0 | $1.1M | 33 of 100 |
| Hail | 141 | 95 | 1974-2026 | 0 | 0 | $4.1M | 13 of 100 |
| High wind and dust storms | 62 | 49 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 3 | $2.5M | 10 of 100 |
| Floods | 59 | 45 | 1996-2025 | 1 | 0 | $114M | 26 of 100 |
| Drought | 54 | 37 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 18 of 100 |
| Extreme cold | 26 | 19 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $2.8M | 13 of 100 |
| Tornadoes | 6 | 6 | 1996-2021 | 0 | 0 | $942K | 83 of 100 |
| Heavy rain | 5 | 5 | 1996-2014 | 0 | 0 | $63K | 34 of 100 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 5 | 5 | 1997-2005 | 1 | 14 | – | 10 of 100 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 4 | 2 | 2020-2024 | 0 | 0 | $6.6M | 80 of 100 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 4 | 3 | 1996-2013 | 1 | 0 | $25K | 9 of 100 |
| Lightning | 4 | 4 | 1999-2019 | 0 | 4 | – | 56 of 100 |
| Wildfires | 2 | 2 | 2000-2000 | 0 | 0 | – | 4 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 McDowell County had?
NOAA records 6 tornadoes in McDowell County from 1996 to 2021, the strongest rated F2, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. 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 6 tornadoes whose track touched McDowell County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 6, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in North Carolina.
Every tornado record filed for McDowell County (6)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-04-10 | Dysortville, McDowell County | EF0 0.59 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2019-04-19 | Ashford, McDowell County | EF0 0.43 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2014-10-14 | Sugar Hill, McDowell County | EF0 0.5 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K |
| 2000-05-24 | Marion, McDowell County | F0 3 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1998-05-07 | Glenwood, McDowell County | F2 3.7 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $873K |
| 1996-04-20 | Marion, McDowell County | F0 0.1 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $38K |
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 McDowell County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the August 1, 2025 flash flood ($350,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
Emergency manager reported flash flooding developed in Marion and vicinity after 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in less than two hours. Flash flooding was first reported in downtown Marion, mainly in the form of severe urban/drainage flooding. Two buildings were inundated and damaged: one on Henderson St and another on Court St. Youngs Fork overflowed its banks in Marion and overtopped the bridge on Shop Dr. A motorist was rescued on Owl Hollow Rd due to inundation from Jacktown Creek. The most significant impacts occurred at a campground along North Muddy Creek and Bledsoe Branch, where floodwater resulted in three swift water rescues, and evacuation of numerous additional people. Three buildings and multiple recreational and standard vehicles were flooded at this location.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1293119)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-29 | Thunderstorm WindSugar Hill, McDowell County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtMcDowell County · forecast zone McDowell Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtMcDowell County · forecast zone Eastern McDowell | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtMcDowell County · forecast zone McDowell Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtMcDowell County · forecast zone Eastern McDowell | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | HailProvidence, McDowell County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-06 | HailNebo, McDowell County | 0.88 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-07 | High WindMcDowell County · forecast zone McDowell Mountains | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-07 | High WindMcDowell County · forecast zone Eastern McDowell | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-02-01 | Cold/Wind ChillMcDowell County · forecast zone Eastern McDowell | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-01 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillMcDowell County · forecast zone McDowell Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-30 | Heavy SnowMcDowell County · forecast zone Eastern McDowell | 0 | 0 | – |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-04-13 | Dense FogMcDowell County · forecast zone McDowell Dense fog caused or contributed to a 43 car pile-up on Interstate 40 about 3 miles west of Old Fort. The pile-up began when a driver parked his car on the shoulder to fix a flat tire and other drivers could not see more than 15 to 20 feet. Fourteen injuries and one fatality were the result of this weather-related ... | 1 | 14 | – | |
| 2024-09-26 | Flash FloodGraphite, McDowell County Stream gauges and emergency management reported catastrophic flash flooding developed along the Catawba River basin after 15-22 inches of rain fell across the western half of the county over three days. Dozens of structures were damaged or destroyed in the Old Fort area alone. Hundreds were damaged throughout the ... | 1 | 0 | $94M | |
| 2013-05-06 | Debris FlowGraphite, McDowell County A 32-year old man was killed when he was buried by debris from a landslide while inspecting a rail line in far western McDowell County. | 1 | 0 | $25K | |
| 2003-08-04 | LightningMarion, McDowell County Lightning struck two men in a rain shelter at a golf course. | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2025-03-05 | Strong WindMcDowell County · forecast zone McDowell Mountains Strong S/SE winds developed across western North Carolina mountains during the late evening of the 4th into the early morning of the 5th in advance of a strong frontal system. Brief periods of damaging wind gusts were reported across portions of Macon and Graham Counties, resulting in numerous downed trees and power ... | 40 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2019-08-22 | LightningMarion, McDowell County Emergency manager reported a person was injured due to a lightning strike in Marion. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2019-02-24 | Strong WindMcDowell County · forecast zone Eastern McDowell EM reported a tree was blown down on a vehicle on I-40 near Ashworth Rd, injuring one occupant. | 40 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $6K |
| 2016-08-17 | LightningEast Marion, McDowell County Broadcast media reported a man was struck by lightning and injured on Jacktown Rd. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-26 | Flash FloodGraphite, McDowell County | 1 | 0 | $94M | |
| 2004-09-07 | FloodMcDowell County · forecast zone McDowell | 0 | 0 | $11M | |
| 1997-06-02 | HailMarion, McDowell County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | $3.7M |
| 2004-09-17 | FloodMcDowell County · forecast zone McDowell | 0 | 0 | $1.6M | |
| 1998-05-07 | TornadoGlenwood, McDowell County | F2 3.7 mi x 880 yd | 0 | 0 | $873K |
| 2005-04-02 | High WindMcDowell County · forecast zone McDowell | 60 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $756K |
| 2018-05-29 | Flash FloodGreenlee, McDowell County | 0 | 0 | $588K | |
| 2021-10-07 | Flash FloodDavistown, McDowell County | 0 | 0 | $545K |
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 McDowell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 30 | 82 | 88 | 31 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 42 | 98 | 37 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 50 | 54 | 21 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 8 | 28 | 23 | 3 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 12 | 24 | 20 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 7 | 43 | 0 | 4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
60% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in January and February. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 109 · Feb 79 · Mar 45 · Apr 53 · May 88 · Jun 111 · Jul 91 · Aug 74 · Sep 31 · Oct 29 · Nov 27 · Dec 68 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for McDowell County
FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include McDowell County: 12 major disasters, 9 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (9) 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 |
| 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 |
| 2019-01-31 | DR-4412 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Michael |
| 2018-09-14 | DR-4393 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2018-09-10 | EM-3401 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2010-02-02 | DR-1871 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3222 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2004-09-18 | DR-1553 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ivan |
| 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 |
| 1977-11-09 | DR-542 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1973-06-25 | DR-394 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
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 McDowell County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 59 flood or flash flood records for McDowell County from 1996 to 2025, on 45 days, with 1 death. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), McDowell County ranks 1256th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Helene | 2024-09-26 | 4 | 1 |
| Hurricane Ivan | 2004-09-17 | 1 | 0 |
| Tropical Storm Frances | 2004-09-07 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $8.4 million on 111 claims filed in McDowell County; the most in one year was 55 in 2024. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1981: 1 · 1983: 3 · 1989: 1 · 1990: 1 · 1992: 1 · 1994: 6 · 1995: 4 · 1996: 1 · 1999: 1 · 2001: 1 · 2004: 7 · 2008: 1 · 2010: 1 · 2012: 1 · 2013: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2016: 1 · 2018: 8 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2024: 55; 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 McDowell County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates McDowell County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $16.8 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 | $574K | 1.6 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $143K | 1.3 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $373K | 55 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $300K | 31 modeled event-days a year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $516K | 2.5 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $12M | 1.2 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $408K | once in about 512 years (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $183K | once in about 25 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with McDowell 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
- Winter storms in North CarolinaThe state's winter storm records, 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 McDowell CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download McDowell County's FEMA declarations (CSV)21 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis