Watauga County, North Carolina
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 37189 · population 54,000 · 312 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 679 records for Watauga County, North Carolina from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 500 days; the most frequent are high wind and dust records (163 records). The deadliest single record is the September 27, 2024 flash flood: 2 deaths, 4 injuries and $235 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 24 declarations naming the county since 1973, 22 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
- 679on 500 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 411 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $312Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 4strongest EF1
- FEMA declarations
- 24latest 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 Watauga County most?
The most frequent records are high wind and dust records: 163 since 1996. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | 163 | 155 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 2 | $28M | 1 of 100 |
| Floods | 150 | 92 | 1996-2025 | 2 | 5 | $265M | 2 of 100 |
| Winter storms | 120 | 119 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $730K | 17 of 100 |
| Hail | 75 | 55 | 1984-2026 | 0 | 0 | $738K | 29 of 100 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 68 | 46 | 1993-2026 | 0 | 1 | $380K | 88 of 100 |
| Heavy rain | 40 | 24 | 2016-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 7 of 100 |
| Drought | 31 | 31 | 1998-2026 | 0 | 0 | $15M | 9 of 100 |
| Extreme cold | 10 | 10 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $43K | 21 of 100 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 7 | 7 | 2004-2019 | 2 | 0 | $652K | 1 of 100 |
| Lightning | 7 | 7 | 1996-2013 | 0 | 1 | $1.3M | 27 of 100 |
| Tornadoes | 4 | 4 | 1996-2024 | 0 | 2 | $143K | 84 of 100 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 1998-2011 | 0 | 0 | $57K | 22 of 100 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 1 | 1 | 2020-2020 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 89 of 100 |
| Wildfires | 1 | 1 | 2011-2011 | 0 | 0 | – | 10 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 Watauga County had?
NOAA records 4 tornadoes in Watauga County from 1996 to 2024, the strongest rated EF1, with 0 deaths and 2 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 4 tornadoes whose track touched Watauga County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 4, 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 Watauga County (4)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-25 | Blowing Rock, Watauga County | EF1 0.6 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $8K |
| 2023-08-15 | Kellersville, Watauga County | EF1 0.32 mi x 35 yd | 0 | 0 | $5K |
| 1998-06-03 | Zionville, Watauga County | F0 2 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $36K |
| 1996-04-20 | Boone, Watauga County | F1 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 2 | $94K |
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 Watauga County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the May 21, 2026 thunderstorm wind ($1,500 in damage in 2025 dollars).
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-01 | DroughtWatauga County · forecast zone Watauga | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-21 | Thunderstorm WindSands, Watauga County | 50 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2026-05-01 | DroughtWatauga County · forecast zone Watauga | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-29 | HailReese, Watauga County | 0.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-04-21 | DroughtWatauga County · forecast zone Watauga | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | HailDeep Gap, Watauga County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-01-30 | Winter StormWatauga County · forecast zone Watauga | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-26 | Extreme Cold/Wind ChillWatauga County · forecast zone Watauga | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-24 | Winter StormWatauga County · forecast zone Watauga | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-29 | High WindWatauga County · forecast zone Watauga | 62 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-12-19 | High WindWatauga County · forecast zone Watauga | 63 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-12-07 | Winter StormWatauga County · forecast zone Watauga | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-27 | Flash FloodKellersville, Watauga County Runoff from continued heavy rain resulted in numerous roads becoming flooded and impassible across Watauga County per reports from the public and from the Watauga County 911 Dispatch Center. Rainfall totals ranging from seven to locally 11 inches were observed across much of the county on the 26th, resulting in ... | 2 | 4 | $235M | |
| 2018-05-30 | Debris FlowTriplett, Watauga County Media accounts said that a debris flow, described as as a 'landslide' impacted the home around 230 PM EDT and the homeowner contacted the gas company at 430 PM to turn off liquid propane supply to the home. The account stated that around this time the owners attempted to remove gas fumes by ventilating the residence. ... | 2 | 0 | $646K | |
| 2002-03-10 | High WindCaldwell County and Watauga County · forecast zone Watauga High winds on the 10th produced damage across northwest North Carolina.High winds downed trees across Watauga and Ashe counties. A car dealership in West Jefferson had windows blown out by the high winds. A car was damaged by a falling limb in Blowing Rock. Two occupants received minor injuires. | 0 | 2 | $5K | |
| 1996-04-20 | TornadoBoone, Watauga County A tornado briefly touched down at 1300 EST approximately 3 miles southeast of Boone at an amusement park. The tornado damaged 16 vehicles and injured two people. The tornado ripped the car door off of one vehicle and then blew a significant amounts of small stones into the vehicle. In addition, a man broke a rib after ... | F1 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 2 | $94K |
| 2021-08-17 | FloodBoone, Watauga County The Rankin Science Building on the Appalachian State campus had about four to six inches of water from Boone Creek enter the first floor building. Edwin Duncan Hall and Varsity Gym both had minimal flooding on portions of the lowest levels of each building. Five vehicles were flooded to some degree in nearby parking ... | 0 | 1 | $16K | |
| 2016-07-08 | Thunderstorm WindReese, Watauga County A line of severe thunderstorms brought down numerous trees and power lines across Watauga County. In Reese and Zionville, 30 to 40 trees were blown down. At least one person was injured, when a tree fell onto a vehicle on Big Hill Road near Boone. A section of roof was blown off the Nathan's Walk apartment complex in ... | 60 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $123K |
| 1997-07-16 | LightningBlowing Rock, Watauga County A lightning strike during the early afternoon hours on the 16th injured a golfer in Blowing Rock. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-27 | Flash FloodKellersville, Watauga County | 2 | 4 | $235M | |
| 2024-09-27 | High WindWatauga County · forecast zone Watauga | 79 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $26M |
| 2004-09-18 | FloodCaldwell County and Watauga County · forecast zone Watauga | 0 | 0 | $7.8M | |
| 2011-09-25 | Flash FloodPerkinsville, Watauga County | 0 | 0 | $6.6M | |
| 2004-09-07 | FloodCaldwell County and Watauga County · forecast zone Watauga | 0 | 0 | $4.2M | |
| 2003-11-19 | Flash FloodCountywide, Watauga County | 0 | 0 | $2.4M | |
| 2008-03-04 | Flash FloodPerkinsville, Watauga County | 0 | 0 | $2.1M | |
| 2018-05-18 | Flash FloodBowers Gap, Watauga County | 0 | 0 | $1.5M |
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 Watauga 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 72 | 48 | 37 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 13 | 24 | 72 | 41 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 25 | 36 | 40 | 19 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 23 | 29 | 5 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 17 | 21 | 20 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 18 | 22 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Watauga County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 94 · Feb 79 · Mar 55 · Apr 47 · May 73 · Jun 62 · Jul 47 · Aug 40 · Sep 36 · Oct 27 · Nov 51 · Dec 68 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Watauga County
FEMA's register lists 24 declarations that include Watauga County: 15 major disasters, 9 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (9) and flood (5).
| 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 |
| 2021-09-08 | DR-4617 | Hurricane | Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred |
| 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 |
| 2013-10-29 | DR-4153 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides |
| 2013-09-25 | DR-4146 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| 1998-01-15 | DR-1200 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 1996-02-23 | DR-1103 | Snowstorm | Winter Storm |
| 1996-01-13 | DR-1087 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 |
| 1995-10-23 | DR-1073 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, High Winds |
| 1993-03-17 | EM-3110 | Snowstorm | Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm |
| 1989-09-25 | DR-844 | Hurricane | Hurricane Hugo |
| 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 Watauga County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 150 flood or flash flood records for Watauga County from 1996 to 2025, on 92 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Watauga County ranks 537th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Helene | 2024-09-27 | 1 | 2 |
| Tropical Storm Fred | 2021-08-17 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Ivan | 2004-09-18 | 1 | 0 |
| Tropical Storm Frances | 2004-09-07 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $16.3 million on 463 claims filed in Watauga County; the most in one year was 198 in 2024. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 1 · 1979: 11 · 1980: 1 · 1983: 4 · 1985: 1 · 1987: 1 · 1989: 17 · 1990: 1 · 1991: 1 · 1992: 1 · 1993: 1 · 1994: 34 · 1995: 18 · 1996: 3 · 1997: 2 · 1998: 9 · 1999: 1 · 2000: 1 · 2003: 18 · 2004: 44 · 2009: 2 · 2010: 2 · 2011: 14 · 2012: 3 · 2013: 22 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 14 · 2018: 15 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 7 · 2021: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 198 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 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 Watauga County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Watauga County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $26.0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landslide | Relatively High | $1.0M | about once a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $416K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate | $3.5M | 4.9 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $17M | 3.1 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate | $630K | 24 modeled event-days a year |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $324K | 49 a year (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $634K | once in about 657 years (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $214K | once in about 32 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Watauga 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
- High wind and dust storms in North CarolinaThe state's high wind and dust 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 Watauga CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Watauga County's FEMA declarations (CSV)24 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis