Tornadoes in Cleveland County
The Storm Prediction Center records 31 tornadoes whose paths touched Cleveland County, North Carolina between 1973 and 2024. They killed 4 people and injured 108. The busiest month is May, with 6 tornadoes. The strongest was an F4 on 5 May 1989. The most recent was on 8 May 2024.
- 31tornadoes
- 4deaths
- 108injuries
- 668per 10,000 sq mi of land
A tornado that crossed several counties counts in each one, so county counts add up to more than the state's.
How strong were the tornadoes in Cleveland County?
| Rating | Tornadoes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / EF0 | 12 | 39% |
| F1 / EF1 | 12 | 39% |
| F2 / EF2 | 5 | 16% |
| F3 / EF3 | 1 | 3% |
| F4 / EF4 | 1 | 3% |
| F5 / EF5 | 0 | 0% |
| Unknown rating | 0 | 0% |
Cleveland County tornadoes over time
The 2020s only run to 2024, so that bar is for a shorter period. The record starts in 1950.
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 3 |
| 1980s | 1 |
| 1990s | 8 |
| 2000s | 8 |
| 2010s | 6 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 0 |
| Feb | 3 |
| Mar | 1 |
| Apr | 4 |
| May | 6 |
| Jun | 4 |
| Jul | 1 |
| Aug | 2 |
| Sep | 3 |
| Oct | 4 |
| Nov | 3 |
| Dec | 0 |
Records for Cleveland County
- Deadliest and Strongest: Belwood, North Carolina tornado5 May 1989, F4, 4 deaths, 52 injuries, 14 miles long
- Longest path: South Carolina tornado27 May 1973, F3, 40 injuries, 60.2 miles long
- Most recent: North Carolina tornado8 May 2024, EF1, 21.3 miles long
Notable tornadoes in Cleveland County
- Belwood, North Carolina tornado5 May 1989, F4, 4 deaths, 52 injuries, 14 miles long
Many of these tornadoes killed or injured people. The numbers are the official record's, and they may be revised.