Tornadoes in Wake County
The Storm Prediction Center records 41 tornadoes whose paths touched Wake County, North Carolina between 1950 and 2024. They killed 11 people and injured 300. The busiest month is March, with 12 tornadoes. The strongest was an F4 on 27 November 1988. The most recent was on 3 August 2024.
- 41tornadoes
- 11deaths
- 300injuries
- 491per 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 Wake County?
| Rating | Tornadoes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / EF0 | 19 | 46% |
| F1 / EF1 | 13 | 32% |
| F2 / EF2 | 7 | 17% |
| F3 / EF3 | 1 | 2% |
| F4 / EF4 | 1 | 2% |
| F5 / EF5 | 0 | 0% |
| Unknown rating | 0 | 0% |
Wake 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 |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 3 |
| 1970s | 4 |
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 8 |
| 2000s | 3 |
| 2010s | 9 |
| 2020s | 3 |
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 0 |
| Feb | 1 |
| Mar | 12 |
| Apr | 6 |
| May | 7 |
| Jun | 3 |
| Jul | 3 |
| Aug | 1 |
| Sep | 3 |
| Oct | 1 |
| Nov | 2 |
| Dec | 2 |
Records for Wake County
- Deadliest: Raleigh, North Carolina tornado16 April 2011, EF3, 6 deaths, 103 injuries, 65.2 miles long
- Strongest and Longest path: Wake Forest, North Carolina tornado27 November 1988, F4, 4 deaths, 154 injuries, 83 miles long
- Most recent: North Carolina tornado3 August 2024, EF1, 1.5 miles long
Notable tornadoes in Wake County
- Raleigh, North Carolina tornado16 April 2011, EF3, 6 deaths, 103 injuries, 65.2 miles long
- Wake Forest, North Carolina tornado27 November 1988, F4, 4 deaths, 154 injuries, 83 miles long
Many of these tornadoes killed or injured people. The numbers are the official record's, and they may be revised.