Tornado Alerts Near Wilmington, NC 28411

🌪️ Current Alert Status

Live NWS tornado and severe weather alerts

✅

All Clear

No active tornado alerts near Wilmington

There are currently no tornado warnings, watches, or severe thunderstorm alerts in effect for the Wilmington area. This page updates every 60 seconds from the National Weather Service.

Historical Tornado Risk

Activity level High

Average per year 5.5 tornados

Peak season month September

Total on record 276 tornados

📋 Tornado History

Historical tornado events within 250 miles of Wilmington

EF Rating	Damage	Path	Casualties	Distance	Date
EF0	Light damage	1.7 mi × 30 yd	None	6 mi	Jul 6, 2025
EF1	Moderate damage	3.1 mi × 200 yd	None	18 mi	Mar 16, 2025
EF1	Moderate damage	1.6 mi × 100 yd	None	49 mi	Sep 27, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	4.8 mi × 100 yd	None	49 mi	Sep 27, 2024
EF0	Light damage	5 mi × 30 yd	None	46 mi	Sep 27, 2024
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 60 yd	None	50 mi	Sep 16, 2024
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 20 yd	None	32 mi	Sep 15, 2024
EF0	Light damage	1.8 mi × 35 yd	None	26 mi	Aug 7, 2024
EF2	Considerable damage	4.6 mi × 40 yd	None	33 mi	Aug 7, 2024
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 40 yd	None	33 mi	Aug 7, 2024
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 40 yd	None	51 mi	Aug 6, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	8.8 mi × 150 yd	None	32 mi	May 24, 2024
EF0	Light damage	2.4 mi × 40 yd	None	50 mi	May 14, 2024
EF0	Light damage	3.7 mi × 40 yd	None	53 mi	May 14, 2024
EF0	Light damage	2.2 mi × 40 yd	None	58 mi	May 14, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	2.4 mi × 150 yd	None	80 mi	Dec 17, 2023
EF0	Light damage	1.6 mi × 30 yd	None	57 mi	Aug 30, 2023
EF1	Moderate damage	1.5 mi × 30 yd	None	16 mi	Aug 30, 2023
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 40 yd	None	15 mi	Aug 30, 2023
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 20 yd	None	29 mi	Aug 30, 2023
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 20 yd	None	30 mi	Aug 30, 2023
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 25 yd	None	46 mi	Apr 22, 2023
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 30 yd	None	45 mi	Apr 22, 2023
EF0	Light damage	0.7 mi × 20 yd	None	39 mi	Sep 30, 2022
EF0	Light damage	0.7 mi × 30 yd	None	66 mi	Jun 17, 2022
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 20 yd	None	65 mi	May 27, 2022
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 20 yd	None	55 mi	Jun 2, 2021
EF0	Light damage	0.7 mi × 35 yd	None	61 mi	Jun 2, 2021
EF1	Moderate damage	2.1 mi × 75 yd	None	34 mi	Jun 2, 2021
EF3	Severe damage	21.9 mi × 275 yd	3 dead, 10 hurt	49 mi	Feb 15, 2021
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	57 mi	Dec 24, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	5.5 mi × 30 yd	None	51 mi	Oct 11, 2020
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 25 yd	None	70 mi	Sep 25, 2020
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 20 yd	None	7 mi	Sep 17, 2020
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	12 mi	Sep 17, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	1.5 mi × 40 yd	None	13 mi	Aug 3, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	2.6 mi × 30 yd	None	14 mi	Aug 3, 2020
EF0	Light damage	1.6 mi × 20 yd	None	27 mi	Aug 3, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 25 yd	None	33 mi	Aug 3, 2020
EF0	Light damage	2.9 mi × 20 yd	None	27 mi	Aug 3, 2020
EF2	Considerable damage	8.3 mi × 80 yd	None	33 mi	Aug 3, 2020
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 60 yd	None	58 mi	Apr 13, 2020
EF0	Light damage	0.7 mi × 75 yd	None	52 mi	Apr 13, 2020
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 15 yd	None	32 mi	Apr 13, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	5.5 mi × 640 yd	None	29 mi	Apr 13, 2020
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 15 yd	None	34 mi	Apr 13, 2020
EF0	Light damage	1.5 mi × 30 yd	None	18 mi	Apr 13, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	2.8 mi × 30 yd	None	14 mi	Apr 13, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	2.8 mi × 50 yd	None	14 mi	Apr 13, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	7.8 mi × 50 yd	None	17 mi	Apr 13, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 100 yd	None	48 mi	Apr 13, 2020
EF0	Light damage	1.2 mi × 45 yd	None	64 mi	Jan 13, 2020
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 60 yd	None	49 mi	Nov 1, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.9 mi × 25 yd	None	76 mi	Oct 20, 2019
EF0	Light damage	4.4 mi × 20 yd	None	21 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF1	Moderate damage	5.4 mi × 60 yd	None	11 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF1	Moderate damage	2.9 mi × 100 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	4 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF2	Considerable damage	13 mi × 200 yd	None	49 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 30 yd	None	3 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF0	Light damage	7.1 mi × 40 yd	None	13 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF0	Light damage	4.9 mi × 40 yd	None	28 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 30 yd	None	15 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF2	Considerable damage	9.3 mi × 200 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	49 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 25 yd	None	5 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF0	Light damage	2.1 mi × 50 yd	None	26 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 25 yd	None	60 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF0	Light damage	2.5 mi × 20 yd	None	8 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF1	Moderate damage	2.6 mi × 50 yd	None	32 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF0	Light damage	4.1 mi × 35 yd	None	24 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF1	Moderate damage	4.8 mi × 75 yd	None	56 mi	Sep 5, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	3 mi	Aug 7, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	17 mi	Aug 5, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 40 yd	None	10 mi	Dec 20, 2018
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 70 yd	None	50 mi	Nov 24, 2018
EF0	Light damage	6.3 mi × 1000 yd	None	58 mi	Sep 16, 2018
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 100 yd	None	59 mi	Sep 16, 2018
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 30 yd	None	59 mi	Sep 16, 2018
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 30 yd	None	74 mi	Sep 16, 2018
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 15 yd	None	74 mi	Sep 16, 2018
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 40 yd	None	19 mi	Sep 16, 2018
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 30 yd	None	12 mi	Sep 16, 2018
EF1	Moderate damage	4.5 mi × 50 yd	None	15 mi	Sep 15, 2018
EF1	Moderate damage	2.9 mi × 50 yd	None	8 mi	Sep 15, 2018
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 30 yd	None	6 mi	Sep 15, 2018
EF0	Light damage	1.3 mi × 50 yd	None	2 mi	Sep 15, 2018
EF1	Moderate damage	0.4 mi × 50 yd	None	27 mi	Sep 15, 2018
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 50 yd	None	1 mi	Sep 15, 2018
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 50 yd	None	2 mi	Sep 15, 2018
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 40 yd	None	6 mi	Sep 15, 2018
EF1	Moderate damage	2.5 mi × 275 yd	None	39 mi	Sep 15, 2018
EF1	Moderate damage	4.5 mi × 300 yd	None	51 mi	Sep 14, 2018
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 15 yd	None	75 mi	Jul 23, 2018
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 50 yd	None	36 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	0.4 mi × 75 yd	None	70 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 25 yd	None	16 mi	Jul 19, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	3.2 mi × 60 yd	None	51 mi	Feb 15, 2017
EF0	Light damage	1.5 mi × 25 yd	None	59 mi	Oct 8, 2016
EF1	Moderate damage	1.8 mi × 75 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	4 mi	May 5, 2016
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 150 yd	None	51 mi	Feb 24, 2016
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 100 yd	None	67 mi	Jun 27, 2015
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	19 mi	Jun 27, 2015
EF1	Moderate damage	5.2 mi × 100 yd	None	32 mi	May 21, 2015
EF1	Moderate damage	0.2 mi × 25 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	7 mi	Dec 24, 2014
EF2	Considerable damage	0.2 mi × 100 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	37 mi	Sep 8, 2014
EF1	Moderate damage	0.8 mi × 200 yd	None	37 mi	Jul 3, 2014
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 35 yd	None	76 mi	Feb 21, 2014
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 20 yd	None	38 mi	Sep 22, 2013
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 50 yd	None	41 mi	Jun 10, 2013
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	36 mi	Jun 7, 2013
EF0	Light damage	2.9 mi × 20 yd	None	38 mi	Oct 1, 2012
EF0	Light damage	2.1 mi × 25 yd	None	66 mi	Oct 1, 2012
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	39 mi	Oct 1, 2012
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 30 yd	None	45 mi	Oct 1, 2012
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 250 yd	None	49 mi	May 30, 2012
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 20 yd	None	20 mi	Aug 18, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 30 yd	None	28 mi	Apr 28, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	3.1 mi × 60 yd	None	26 mi	Apr 28, 2011
EF0	Light damage	6.3 mi × 50 yd	None	27 mi	Apr 28, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 60 yd	None	27 mi	Apr 28, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.6 mi × 20 yd	None	36 mi	Apr 28, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	1.4 mi × 100 yd	None	42 mi	Apr 28, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	4.1 mi × 200 yd	0 dead, 7 hurt	63 mi	Apr 16, 2011
EF3	Severe damage	3.8 mi × 450 yd	0 dead, 120 hurt	38 mi	Apr 16, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	2.4 mi × 200 yd	None	49 mi	Apr 16, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.6 mi × 150 yd	None	43 mi	Apr 16, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	1.1 mi × 50 yd	None	55 mi	Apr 16, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 25 yd	None	54 mi	Apr 16, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	13.1 mi × 440 yd	1 dead, 0 hurt	59 mi	Apr 16, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	21.9 mi × 800 yd	0 dead, 9 hurt	60 mi	Apr 16, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	6.5 mi × 800 yd	0 dead, 4 hurt	61 mi	Apr 16, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	1.5 mi × 200 yd	3 dead, 0 hurt	62 mi	Apr 16, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	39 mi	May 7, 2009
EF1	Moderate damage	2.3 mi × 100 yd	None	49 mi	Apr 6, 2009
EF2	Considerable damage	1.4 mi × 100 yd	None	47 mi	Apr 6, 2009
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	51 mi	Mar 28, 2009
EF2	Considerable damage	1.6 mi × 40 yd	None	53 mi	Mar 28, 2009
EF1	Moderate damage	4.8 mi × 50 yd	None	78 mi	Mar 27, 2009
EF2	Considerable damage	2 mi × 50 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	78 mi	Mar 27, 2009
EF0	Light damage	2.3 mi × 20 yd	None	70 mi	Mar 27, 2009
EF0	Light damage	1.1 mi × 30 yd	None	73 mi	Nov 15, 2008
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 10 yd	None	33 mi	Sep 25, 2008
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	18 mi	Aug 27, 2008
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 20 yd	None	49 mi	May 11, 2008
EF2	Considerable damage	3.9 mi × 100 yd	None	51 mi	May 11, 2008
EF2	Considerable damage	1.1 mi × 100 yd	0 dead, 6 hurt	50 mi	May 11, 2008
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	3 mi	May 11, 2008
EF1	Moderate damage	2 mi × 100 yd	None	6 mi	Mar 15, 2008
EF1	Moderate damage	5.1 mi × 100 yd	None	24 mi	Nov 16, 2006
EF3	Severe damage	2.2 mi × 300 yd	8 dead, 20 hurt	26 mi	Nov 16, 2006
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 25 yd	None	28 mi	Aug 31, 2006
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 25 yd	None	30 mi	Jul 23, 2006
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 25 yd	None	41 mi	Jul 23, 2006
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 25 yd	None	33 mi	Apr 17, 2006
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 15 yd	None	52 mi	Apr 17, 2006
EF1	Moderate damage	1.5 mi × 75 yd	None	43 mi	Jan 14, 2006
EF1	Moderate damage	2.6 mi × 50 yd	None	58 mi	May 20, 2005
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 25 yd	None	31 mi	Sep 10, 2004
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	27 mi	Sep 10, 2004
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 25 yd	None	72 mi	Sep 7, 2004
EF1	Moderate damage	7 mi × 40 yd	None	62 mi	Sep 7, 2004
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	38 mi	Aug 14, 2004
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 20 yd	0 dead, 3 hurt	49 mi	Aug 13, 2004
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 30 yd	None	44 mi	Aug 13, 2004
EF2	Considerable damage	5 mi × 500 yd	3 dead, 29 hurt	9 mi	Aug 13, 2004
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 20 yd	None	44 mi	Jun 22, 2004
EF1	Moderate damage	0.8 mi × 75 yd	None	55 mi	Jul 2, 2003
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	44 mi	Jul 2, 2003
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	42 mi	Jul 2, 2003
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 50 yd	None	23 mi	Jul 2, 2003
EF0	Light damage	0.7 mi × 30 yd	None	41 mi	Jul 2, 2003
EF0	Light damage	7.5 mi × 30 yd	None	28 mi	May 27, 2003
EF0	Light damage	2 mi × 50 yd	None	41 mi	Jul 24, 2002
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 20 yd	None	48 mi	Sep 11, 2001
EF2	Considerable damage	4 mi × 150 yd	0 dead, 39 hurt	75 mi	Jul 6, 2001
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 100 yd	None	66 mi	Jul 6, 2001
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 50 yd	None	50 mi	Apr 1, 2001
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 100 yd	None	15 mi	Apr 1, 2001
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 50 yd	None	51 mi	Sep 18, 2000
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	80 mi	May 28, 2000
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 100 yd	None	38 mi	May 21, 2000
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 50 yd	None	19 mi	Apr 28, 2000
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 40 yd	None	20 mi	Apr 25, 2000
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 50 yd	None	50 mi	Apr 15, 2000
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 50 yd	None	44 mi	Mar 16, 2000
EF0	Light damage	2 mi × 40 yd	None	13 mi	Mar 16, 2000
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	38 mi	Oct 17, 1999
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	28 mi	Sep 15, 1999
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	2 mi	Sep 15, 1999
EF0	Light damage	2 mi × 10 yd	None	12 mi	Sep 15, 1999
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 10 yd	None	16 mi	Sep 15, 1999
EF1	Moderate damage	10 mi × 10 yd	0 dead, 7 hurt	43 mi	Apr 15, 1999
EF2	Considerable damage	15 mi × 900 yd	0 dead, 11 hurt	46 mi	Apr 15, 1999
EF2	Considerable damage	0.1 mi × 30 yd	0 dead, 5 hurt	63 mi	Apr 15, 1999
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 40 yd	None	68 mi	Apr 15, 1999
EF0	Light damage	2 mi × 50 yd	None	49 mi	Sep 3, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	0.2 mi × 30 yd	None	47 mi	Aug 26, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	2 mi × 20 yd	None	9 mi	Jun 19, 1998
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	15 mi	Jun 13, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	2 mi × 25 yd	None	33 mi	Jun 13, 1998
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	21 mi	Jun 13, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 25 yd	None	31 mi	Jun 13, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	1.5 mi × 40 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	9 mi	May 23, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	2 mi × 40 yd	None	9 mi	May 7, 1998
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 30 yd	None	64 mi	Mar 8, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	2 mi × 30 yd	0 dead, 3 hurt	70 mi	Mar 8, 1998
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 30 yd	None	71 mi	Mar 8, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	0 dead, 3 hurt	9 mi	Jan 8, 1998
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 50 yd	None	33 mi	Oct 26, 1997
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 50 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	28 mi	Oct 26, 1997
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	15 mi	Jul 19, 1997
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	20 mi	Jul 19, 1997
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 40 yd	None	74 mi	Jul 5, 1997
EF0	Light damage	2 mi × 100 yd	None	48 mi	Apr 21, 1997
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	59 mi	Dec 7, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 15 yd	None	46 mi	Nov 8, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	12 mi	Oct 8, 1996
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 50 yd	None	38 mi	Oct 8, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 15 yd	None	37 mi	Oct 8, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 15 yd	None	81 mi	Oct 8, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	72 mi	Sep 6, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	30 mi	Aug 4, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 20 yd	None	58 mi	Jul 10, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	61 mi	May 11, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 25 yd	None	56 mi	Apr 26, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 20 yd	None	47 mi	Apr 26, 1996
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 50 yd	None	45 mi	Apr 15, 1996
EF2	Considerable damage	0.8 mi × 75 yd	None	44 mi	Apr 15, 1996
EF2	Considerable damage	1 mi × 75 yd	0 dead, 3 hurt	44 mi	Apr 15, 1996
EF2	Considerable damage	1.5 mi × 75 yd	None	42 mi	Apr 15, 1996
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 50 yd	None	39 mi	Apr 15, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	23 mi	Apr 15, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 20 yd	None	22 mi	Apr 15, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	29 mi	Jul 1, 1995
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	73 mi	Nov 4, 1992
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	30 mi	Aug 18, 1991
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 10 yd	None	36 mi	Aug 18, 1991
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	35 mi	Aug 2, 1991
EF1	Moderate damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	28 mi	Aug 2, 1991
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	28 mi	Aug 2, 1991
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	7 mi	Jul 16, 1991
EF1	Moderate damage	1.5 mi × 73 yd	0 dead, 3 hurt	64 mi	Mar 3, 1991
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 50 yd	None	61 mi	Mar 3, 1991
EF2	Considerable damage	0.2 mi × 30 yd	None	40 mi	Jul 1, 1990
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 30 yd	None	37 mi	Jun 29, 1990
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 300 yd	None	38 mi	May 5, 1990
EF1	Moderate damage	2 mi × 100 yd	None	40 mi	Feb 21, 1989
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 73 yd	0 dead, 2 hurt	44 mi	Jun 9, 1988
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 20 yd	None	40 mi	Nov 10, 1987
EF2	Considerable damage	1.5 mi × 33 yd	3 dead, 10 hurt	38 mi	Jul 2, 1986
EF2	Considerable damage	6 mi × 100 yd	None	83 mi	May 19, 1986
EF1	Moderate damage	1.2 mi × 100 yd	None	43 mi	Mar 14, 1986
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 100 yd	None	30 mi	Mar 14, 1986
EF2	Considerable damage	9 mi × 353 yd	None	63 mi	Mar 28, 1984
EF2	Considerable damage	7 mi × 353 yd	0 dead, 8 hurt	70 mi	Mar 28, 1984
EF4	Devastating damage	2 mi × 2640 yd	None	77 mi	Mar 28, 1984
EF3	Severe damage	25 mi × 1407 yd	10 dead, 90 hurt	65 mi	Mar 28, 1984
EF3	Severe damage	11 mi × 1407 yd	2 dead, 11 hurt	69 mi	Mar 28, 1984
EF3	Severe damage	4 mi × 1407 yd	None	71 mi	Mar 28, 1984
EF2	Considerable damage	6 mi × 450 yd	None	60 mi	Jun 7, 1983
EF2	Considerable damage	1 mi × 17 yd	None	20 mi	Sep 26, 1982
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	61 mi	Aug 1, 1980
EF1	Moderate damage	0.2 mi × 50 yd	None	62 mi	Jul 10, 1980
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	21 mi	Apr 27, 1980
EF2	Considerable damage	1 mi × 97 yd	None	60 mi	Sep 4, 1979
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 57 yd	None	63 mi	Sep 4, 1979
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 63 yd	None	75 mi	Sep 4, 1979
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	69 mi	Aug 21, 1979
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	54 mi	Aug 21, 1979
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	4 mi	May 13, 1978
EF1	Moderate damage	0.2 mi × 17 yd	None	3 mi	May 13, 1978
EF2	Considerable damage	3.3 mi × 50 yd	0 dead, 3 hurt	44 mi	Apr 19, 1978
EF2	Considerable damage	11.6 mi × 70 yd	None	39 mi	Apr 19, 1978
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 17 yd	None	32 mi	Jun 27, 1977
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 20 yd	None	37 mi	Apr 20, 1977
EF1	Moderate damage	N/A	None	50 mi	Aug 16, 1976
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 13 yd	None	31 mi	May 18, 1976

📈 Historical Trends

Tornado activity near Wilmington over 44 years

276

Total tornados on record

5.5

Average per year

EF4

Strongest recorded

Sep

Peak month

EF Scale Distribution

EF0

155

EF1

EF2

EF3

EF4

EF5

Yearly Tornado Count

1976 2025

Strongest Tornados on Record

EF4 CUMBERLAND, NO Mar 28, 1984

2 mi path

EF3 SAMPSON, NO Mar 28, 1984

25 mi path 10 deaths 90 injured

EF3 COLUMBUS, NO Nov 16, 2006

2.2 mi path 8 deaths 20 injured

EF3 BRUNSWICK, NO Feb 15, 2021

21.9 mi path 3 deaths 10 injured

EF3 CUMBERLAND, NO Mar 28, 1984

11 mi path 2 deaths 11 injured

📅 Tornado Season

When tornados are most likely near you

⚡

Active Tornado Season

Tornado season is active. Wilmington sees the most tornado activity in Sep. Stay alert and have your shelter plan ready.

US Tornado Activity by Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

10%

May

18%

Jun

16%

Jul

12%

Aug

PEAK

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Current month Peak for Wilmington

🛡️ Tornado Safety

What to know before, during, and after a tornado

⚠️ Tornado Watch

Meaning: Conditions are favorable for tornado development

Be prepared to take shelter. Stay alert for changing conditions.

🌪️ Tornado Warning

Meaning: A tornado has been spotted or detected on radar

TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY in your nearest safe shelter.

⚠️ Step 1

Tornado Watch — Be Prepared

Conditions are favorable for tornados. Monitor weather alerts, charge your phone, and review your shelter plan. Move vehicles into garages if possible.

🌪️ Step 2

Tornado Warning — Take Cover NOW

A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Move immediately to an interior room on the lowest floor (basement, bathroom, closet). Get under sturdy furniture. Stay away from windows.

🔍 Step 3

After a Tornado

Stay in your shelter until the warning expires. Check for injuries, avoid downed power lines, and watch for gas leaks. Document damage for insurance before cleanup.

Where to Shelter

✓ Best: Underground shelter or basement

✓ Good: Interior room on lowest floor

✓ Acceptable: Bathroom or closet (no exterior walls)

✓ If driving: Pull over, get below road level in a ditch

✗ NEVER: Stay in a mobile home — leave for sturdy building

✗ NEVER: Shelter under a highway overpass

📍 Nearby Tornado Monitoring

Cities near Wilmington with live tracking