Stanly County, North Carolina
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 37167 · population 62,476 · 395 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 477 records for Stanly County, North Carolina from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 338 days; the most frequent are severe thunderstorm wind events (212 records). The deadliest single record is the June 16, 2003 flash flood: 5 deaths. FEMA has issued 21 declarations naming the county since 1977, 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
- 477on 338 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 58 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $54Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 15strongest 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 Stanly County most?
The most frequent records are severe thunderstorm wind events: 212 since 1966. 46% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1966 fell in June and July. 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 | 212 | 171 | 1966-2026 | 0 | 3 | $3.9M | 21 of 100 |
| Floods | 102 | 65 | 1996-2025 | 5 | 0 | $28M | 9 of 100 |
| Hail | 65 | 51 | 1961-2026 | 0 | 0 | $322K | 52 of 100 |
| Winter storms | 48 | 47 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 53 of 100 |
| High wind and dust storms | 16 | 16 | 1998-2020 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 46 of 100 |
| Tornadoes | 15 | 14 | 1963-2022 | 0 | 1 | $19M | 35 of 100 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 8 | 8 | 1996-2022 | 0 | 0 | $1.4M | 36 of 100 |
| Lightning | 4 | 4 | 1997-2010 | 0 | 3 | $150K | 52 of 100 |
| Heavy rain | 3 | 2 | 1998-2006 | 0 | 1 | – | 75 of 100 |
| Extreme cold | 2 | 2 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 60 of 100 |
| Heat | 1 | 1 | 1998-1998 | 0 | 0 | – | 69 of 100 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 1 | 1 | 2005-2005 | 0 | 0 | – | 17 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 Stanly County had?
NOAA records 15 tornadoes in Stanly County from 1963 to 2022, the strongest rated F2, with 0 deaths and 1 injury recorded in the county. That is 35th 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 17 tornadoes whose track touched Stanly County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 15: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in North Carolina.
Every tornado record filed for Stanly County (15)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-31 | Cottonville, Stanly County | EF1 2.85 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $101K |
| 2021-05-03 | St Martin, Stanly County | EF0 1.48 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $54K |
| 2020-02-06 | Millingport, Stanly County | EF1 7.32 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $570K |
| 2019-05-11 | Cottonville, Stanly County | EF1 1.1 mi x 295 yd | 0 | 0 | $115K |
| 2011-09-05 | Millingport, Stanly County | EF0 4.15 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $46K |
| 1999-09-29 | Albemarle, Stanly County | F2 6 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $5.3M |
| 1999-09-29 | Locust, Stanly County | F2 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $44K |
| 1991-03-29 | Stanly County | F1 2 mi x 80 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1989-06-16 | Stanly County | F1 1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $2.5M step |
| 1989-05-05 | Stanly County | F1 0.3 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1982-04-27 | Stanly County | F2 0.1 mi x 27 yd | 0 | 1 | $25K step |
| 1977-11-04 | Stanly County | F0 0.3 mi x 7 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1976-10-09 | Stanly County | F1 3.6 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1975-12-31 | Stanly County | F1 0.1 mi x 27 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1963-05-17 | Stanly County | F2 1 mi x 50 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 Stanly County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 18, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($5,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindAlbemarle, Stanly County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 2026-06-18 | Thunderstorm WindPlyler, Stanly County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-04-29 | HailLocust, Stanly County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindPalmerville, Stanly County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindRichfield, Stanly County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindAlbemarle Airport, Stanly County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindHalls Ferry Jct, Stanly County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindBadin, Stanly County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-03-16 | Thunderstorm WindPalmerville, Stanly County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $40K |
| 2026-01-31 | Winter StormStanly County · forecast zone Stanly | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormStanly County · forecast zone Stanly | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-19 | Thunderstorm WindStanfield, Stanly County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $1K |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-06-16 | Flash FloodSouth Portion, Stanly County 4 people were killed when driving across a flooded bridge across Hardy Creek in Cottonville. Another man was killed when driving across a flooded bridge across Ugly Creek in Norwood. Cars were stranded in Norwood and Locust, and people had to be rescued. 3 businesses in Oakboro were flooded. | 5 | 0 | – | |
| 2013-06-13 | Thunderstorm WindAlbemarle, Stanly County Widespread trees and power-lines were blown down throughout the county. Albemarle had the most extensive damage from trees blown down on homes, several of which went through homes and mobile homes. Approximately 70 homes were damaged. There were at least three injuries and many residents displaced from their homes. | 65 kt wind | 0 | 3 | $3.2M |
| 2006-06-23 | LightningNorwood, Stanly County | 0 | 3 | – | |
| 2006-11-22 | Heavy RainOakboro, Stanly County Water rescue on Hartswell Road. Driver in vehicle clung to tree for 50 minutes before rescue. Left vehicle before it was swept away. | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 1982-04-27 | TornadoStanly County | F2 0.1 mi x 27 yd | 0 | 1 | $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.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-09-17 | FloodNorwood, Stanly County | 0 | 0 | $28M | |
| 1999-09-29 | TornadoAlbemarle, Stanly County | F2 6 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $5.3M |
| 2013-06-13 | Thunderstorm WindAlbemarle, Stanly County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 3 | $3.2M |
| 2003-05-03 | HailAquadale, Stanly County | 2.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | $321K |
| 2019-05-11 | TornadoCottonville, Stanly County | EF1 1.1 mi x 295 yd | 0 | 0 | $115K |
| 2022-03-31 | TornadoCottonville, Stanly County | EF1 2.85 mi x 200 yd | 0 | 0 | $101K |
| 2021-05-03 | TornadoSt Martin, Stanly County | EF0 1.48 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $54K |
| 2011-09-05 | TornadoMillingport, Stanly County | EF0 4.15 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $46K |
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 $2.5M, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 16, 1989 (tornado, Stanly County); March 29, 1991 (tornado, Stanly 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 Stanly 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 | 6 | 29 | 14 | 46 | 70 | 45 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 10 | 31 | 28 | 33 |
| Hail | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 32 | 5 | 3 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 19 | 16 | 7 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 1 | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| Tornadoes | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
46% of its severe thunderstorm wind events since 1966 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 41 · Feb 30 · Mar 33 · Apr 28 · May 70 · Jun 83 · Jul 83 · Aug 49 · Sep 29 · Oct 10 · Nov 11 · Dec 10 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Stanly County
FEMA's register lists 21 declarations that include Stanly County: 10 major disasters, 11 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (10) and tropical storm (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 |
| 2024-08-06 | EM-3608 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 2022-10-01 | EM-3586 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| 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 |
| 2018-09-14 | DR-4393 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2018-09-10 | EM-3401 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3222 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2002-12-12 | DR-1448 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Ice Storm |
| 2000-01-31 | DR-1312 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1087 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| 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 Stanly County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 102 flood or flash flood records for Stanly County from 1996 to 2025, on 65 days, with 5 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Stanly County ranks 1514th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Ian | 2022-09-30 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Florence | 2018-09-15 | 2 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $3.0 million on 66 claims filed in Stanly County; the most in one year was 14 in 1997. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 1 · 1979: 3 · 1981: 4 · 1990: 1 · 1997: 14 · 1999: 1 · 2001: 2 · 2002: 1 · 2003: 7 · 2004: 1 · 2005: 1 · 2011: 1 · 2012: 1 · 2018: 11 · 2020: 12 · 2025: 5; 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 Stanly County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Stanly County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $21.9 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 | $702K | 2.1 a year (modeled) |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | $2.3M | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | $663K | 2.3 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $1.5M | once in about 9 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $14M | 2.1 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $601K | once in about 561 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $577K | 4.4 modeled event-days a year |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $236K | 21 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Stanly 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 Stanly CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Stanly County's FEMA declarations (CSV)21 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis