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NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER REPORTS + U.S. CENSUS DATA

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 28601

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near ZIP 28601 from April 2, 1970 through August 28, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 55401 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
43
Wind Reports
92
Tornado Reports
3
Max Hail Size
2.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  ZIP 28601 · 1970–present Updated  Daily · last Aug 28, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near ZIP 28601

43 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
May 26, 2022
9:55 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Caldwell County · 26,874 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 ENE Rhodhiss, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 21, 2020
10:05 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Burke County · 28,316 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN ALSO REPORTED.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 W Hickory, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 11, 2019
8:10 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: QUARTER-SIZED HAIL REPORTED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF KOOL PARK RD AND 28TH ST NE.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 NE Hickory, NC
1.75″ hail
Jul 21, 2018
10:50 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Alexander County · 11,546 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: BROADCAST MEDIA REPORTED GOLF BALL (1.75 IN) SIZE HAIL IN BETHLEHEM. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 SW Bethlehem, NC
2.00″ hail
Jul 21, 2018
10:40 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 NE Hickory, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 17, 2017
10:27 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Burke County · 28,316 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: DIME TO QUARTER SIZED HAIL ABOUT A QUARTER MILE SOUTH OF THE RIVER ON THE CONNELLY SPRINGS SIDE.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 S Rhodhiss, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 17, 2017
10:26 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Caldwell County · 26,874 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: HAIL WAS INCREASING AT THE TIME OF THE CALL GOING FROM DIME SIZED TO QUARTER SIZED. STRONG WIND ALSO BUT SO FAR NO DAMAGE.
NWS Hail Report Location: Rhodhiss, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 17, 2017
10:05 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: NICKEL TO QUARTER SIZED HAIL ON NORTH SIDE OF HICKORY. STRONG WIND BUT NO SIGN YET OF WIND DAMAGE.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 NNW Hickory, NC
1.25″ hail
Apr 6, 2017
5:08 AM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: GENERAL PUBLIC REPORTED HALF DOLLAR SIZE HAIL NEAR ST. STEPHENS
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 WSW St. Stephens, NC
1.25″ hail
Mar 1, 2017
10:21 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: St. Stephens, NC
1.75″ hail
Jun 29, 2016
7:44 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: MEDIA REPORTS GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL AT HWY 127 AND CLONINGER MILL RD.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 NNE Hickory, NC
1.00″ hail
Jun 29, 2016
7:40 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: MEDIA REPORTS QUARTER SIZED HAIL ON FALLING CREEK RD.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 NNE Hickory, NC
1.50″ hail
Jun 29, 2016
7:28 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: PING PONG SIZE HAIL NE PART OF HICKORY.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 NE Hickory, NC
1.00″ hail
Sep 4, 2015
7:14 PM EST-5
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Spotter and public reported quarter size hail on the north side of Hickory.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2.36 NNE Hickory, NC
0.75″ hail
Sep 6, 2014
5:15 PM EST-5
Hail report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Public reported up to 3/4 inch hail in the Viewmont area.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.49 NNW Hickory, NC
Showing 15 of 43
Hail Damage Risk for Your Home +

Hail reports describe hail by diameter, often comparing stone size to familiar objects like peas, quarters, golf balls, and softballs. Use this guide as a starting point for possible hail damage to your roof, siding, gutters, vents, windows, and exterior. Actual hail damage depends on hail hardness, density, wind speed, impact angle, roof age, shingle condition, roof pitch, roofing material, installation quality, and prior storm damage.

Pea
0.25″
Low

Usually too small to cause hail damage to most sound asphalt roofs, siding, or gutters.

Mothball
0.50″
Sub-Severe Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but not always harmless. Repeated small hail can scuff surfaces, wear aging shingles, and loosen protective granules over time.

Penny
0.75″
Minor / Watch

Below the NWS severe-hail threshold, but roof hail damage is still possible on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged shingles. May also mark screens, vents, gutters, and soft metal.

Nickel
0.88″
Minor / Watch

Still below the severe-hail threshold, but large enough to leave visible marks on soft metal and add wear to older or hail-weakened roof shingles.

Quarter
1.00″
Watch

The NWS severe-hail threshold. Quarter-size hail can bruise shingles, dent soft metal, and create roof hail damage worth checking.

Half Dollar
1.25″
Watch

More likely to dent gutters, vents, flashing, and siding. Hail damage risk rises quickly on older roofs or hail-weakened shingles.

Ping Pong / Walnut
1.50″
Likely

Hail damage becomes more likely, including bruised shingles, granule loss, dented siding, and damaged roof vents.

Golf Ball
1.75″
Likely

Often causes roof hail damage, cracked shingles, dented gutters, damaged flashing, and siding impacts. A roof inspection is recommended.

Hen Egg
2.00″
Serious

Can crack or puncture shingles, expose mat, dent siding, and cause widespread hail damage across the roof and exterior.

Tennis Ball
2.50″
Serious

Can cause heavy roof hail damage, punctured siding, broken skylights, damaged vents, and widespread exterior damage.

Baseball
2.75″
Major

Major hail damage is likely, including severe roof impacts, damaged siding, broken windows, and possible major roof repairs.

Tea Cup / Large Apple
3.00″
Major

Can cause heavy hail damage across the roof, siding, gutters, windows, and exterior. Significant repairs are often needed.

Softball
4.00″
Extreme

Destructive hail damage. Can severely damage roofing materials, siding, windows, gutters, vents, vehicles, and exterior surfaces.

Grapefruit
4.50″
Extreme

Catastrophic hail damage risk for roofs, windows, vehicles, siding, gutters, and exterior surfaces.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service hail size references are used for hail-size comparisons and the 1.00″ severe-hail threshold. Damage descriptions are general homeowner guidance, not official NOAA/NWS damage ratings. Sub-severe hail under 1.00″ is below the severe threshold, but that does not mean “no roof damage.” Penny- to nickel-size hail can still contribute to granule loss, cosmetic surface marks, and added wear, especially on older, brittle, poorly installed, or previously damaged roofs.

Latest NWS Wind Reports in and near ZIP 28601

92 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Aug 28, 2026
6:29 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Saint Stephens, NC
UNK mph
Aug 18, 2026
12:30 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree downed onto residence.
NWS Wind Report Location: Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Aug 18, 2026
12:25 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Multiple trees down across Lenoir-Rhyne campus.
NWS Wind Report Location: Hickory, NC
64 mph
Aug 18, 2026
12:19 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Burke County · 28,316 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A peak wind gust of 64 mph...56 kts was measured at the Hickory Regional Airport.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Nnw Longview, NC
UNK mph
Jul 19, 2026
6:45 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Utility company reporting power outages caused by fallen trees or limbs on equipment.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Nw Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Jun 27, 2026
7:40 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Burke County · 28,316 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees down near Bowman Lowman Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 SSE Rhodhiss, NC
UNK mph
Jun 28, 2025
8:45 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 911 Communications reports powerlines down near downtown Hickory.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NE Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Dec 29, 2024
2:30 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several trees down across the county.
NWS Wind Report Location: Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Aug 18, 2024
9:30 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Alexander County · 11,546 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several trees down along Hwy 127 between Fellowship Church Rd and Lake Hickory.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NNW Bethlehem, NC
UNK mph
Jul 17, 2024
8:12 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Alexander County · 11,546 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down on Valley Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 WSW Bethlehem, NC
UNK mph
May 15, 2024
7:20 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Burke County · 28,316 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees downed along 39th St NW.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 W Longview, NC
UNK mph
Aug 7, 2023
8:24 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Burke County · 28,316 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Social media report of tree down on home.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NNE Hildebran, NC
UNK mph
Jul 29, 2023
11:32 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Reports of trees down across the Hickory area.
NWS Wind Report Location: Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Aug 1, 2020
1:30 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: PINE TREES SNAPPED OR BLOWN OVER.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 NNE Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Aug 1, 2020
12:40 AM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28601
Burke County · 28,316 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: BROADCAST MEDIA REPORTED TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN ON CAPE HICKORY RD.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 WNW Longview, NC
Showing 15 of 92
Wind Damage Risk for Your Home +

Storm reports list thunderstorm wind gusts in mph. The NWS marks storms as severe at 58+ mph, but wind damage to your home depends on roof age, shingle condition, installation, exposure, nearby trees, and prior hail or wind damage.

Below Severe
Under 58 mph
Minor

Usually little damage to a sound roof, but loose shingles, flashing, or debris may shift.

Severe
58–74 mph
Watch

Can loosen shingles, lift flashing, break limbs, and damage gutters, siding, fences, or trim.

Damaging
75–90 mph
Serious

Can peel shingles, damage vents, tear siding, rip gutters, and expose weak roof areas.

Extreme
90+ mph
Major

Can cause major roof covering loss, tree damage, broken windows, and structural damage.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service storm reports. Gusts may be measured or estimated; actual wind damage varies by roof condition, exposure, and prior hail or wind damage.

Latest NWS Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 28601

3 reports
UNK category
Oct 23, 2017
8:45 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 28601
Alexander County · 11,546 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: TREES DOWN ON ICARD RIDGE RD.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3 WNW Bethlehem, NC
UNK category
Oct 23, 2017
8:43 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 28601
Caldwell County · 26,874 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: ROOF OFF HOME AT CATHEDRAL DR AND ADDISON LN. NUMEROUS TREES DOWN AND HOMES DAMAGED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 5 N Hickory, NC
EF0 category
Jan 11, 2012
6:17 PM EST-5
Tornado report for ZIP 28601
Caldwell County · 26,874 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: The same thunderstorm that produced a strong tornado in eastern Burke County produced a brief, weak tornado in the Lake Hickory area. Several pine trees were snapped and several boats and a dock flipped over on the lake. Minor roof damage also occurred at a marina.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 3.28 ESE Rhodhiss, NC
Showing 3 of 3
Tornado Damage Risk for Your Home +

After a tornado, the National Weather Service assigns an EF rating from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage. The rating estimates wind speed from what the tornado damaged, so actual damage can vary by construction quality, roof age, garage doors, windows, trees, debris, and how close the home was to the tornado path.

EF0
65–85 mph
Light

Can peel shingles, damage gutters or siding, break tree limbs, and toss loose outdoor items.

EF1
86–110 mph
Moderate

Can strip roof covering, damage exterior doors, break windows, snap trees, and cause heavier siding or gutter damage.

EF2
111–135 mph
Serious

Can tear off large sections of roofing, break or uproot trees, destroy weaker structures, and cause major exterior damage.

EF3–EF5
136+ mph
Severe

Can remove roofs and walls, destroy large portions of homes, toss vehicles, and cause severe to total destruction near the path.

Source: NOAA / National Weather Service. EF ratings are assigned after a post-storm damage survey and are based on observed damage, not a direct measurement at every home.

NWS Hail, Wind and Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 28601 on the Interactive Map

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NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · ZIP Code

ZIP 28601 area census snapshot

People & households
Population52,839
Households21,244
Housing units23,400
Income
Median household income$67,839
$100k+ households37.1%
$150k+ households14.3%
Housing stock
Single-family detached14,970
Attached single-family1,241
Small multifamily3,432
Large multifamily2,319
Mobile homes1,438
Housing mix
Single-family share64.0%
Attached-home share5.3%
Multifamily share24.6%
Mobile-home share6.2%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied14,475
Renter-occupied6,769
Vacant units2,156
Home value & age
Median home value$236,100
Owner homes $300k+35.3%
Owner homes $500k+12.0%
Owner homes $750k+4.6%
Median year built1982
Older-home share47.0%
Vehicle context
Households with cars20,030
Free hail maps

This snapshot is for local area context only and describes the selected state, county, city, or ZIP area — not a specific home or property. For ZIP-level estimated hail impact, use Free Hail Maps to generate a hail report with key impact details for that ZIP.

Frequently asked questions

for homeowners, buyers & sellers
How many hail, wind, and tornado reports does ZIP 28601 have on record?

Our records show 43 hail, 92 wind, and 3 tornado reports in and near ZIP 28601, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on August 28, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in ZIP 28601?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near ZIP 28601 is 2.00″. It was reported near Hickory, NC on July 21, 2018.

A storm report showed up near my home in ZIP 28601 — does that mean my roof is damaged?

Not necessarily. A storm report only means hail, wind, or a tornado was observed nearby; it does not confirm damage at any specific address, and conditions change from block to block. Check an address-level hail report first, and if it looks significant, find a local pro that serves ZIP 28601 and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.

I am buying a home in ZIP 28601 — why should I look at its storm history?

Recent hail or wind can leave a roof or exterior with damage that is easy to miss during a walkthrough, and a recent roof replacement is sometimes an insurance job after a storm. Reviewing the storm history for a ZIP 28601 address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.

I am selling a home in ZIP 28601 — how does this help me?

Knowing the storm history for your address lets you answer buyer questions with confidence, document repairs you have already made, and decide whether a pre-listing roof check is worthwhile. A clear hail history removes a common sticking point during negotiations.

How do I check hail history for a specific ZIP 28601 address?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in ZIP 28601 — no phone number or email required. It shows recent hail activity for that address so you know whether a closer roof or exterior review makes sense.

Where does this storm report data come from, and what are its limits?

Storm reports on this page are public reports from storm events in and around ZIP 28601, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in ZIP 28601, but they do not confirm damage at any specific property. Report locations, sizes, and times may be approximate and can vary from what an individual home experienced. For property-specific hail history, use an address-level hail report or contact a participating local professional for a remote hail inspection. Pros inclusion is not an endorsement, and contacting a professional does not confirm damage at any property.

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