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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near ZIP 28697

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near ZIP 28697 from June 1, 1974 through August 11, 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
14
Wind Reports
89
Tornado Reports
3
Max Hail Size
1.75″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  ZIP 28697 · 1974–present Updated  Daily · last Aug 11, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near ZIP 28697

14 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.25″ hail
Jul 27, 2021
9:15 PM UTC
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: HAIL FELL FOR 15 MINUTES WITH SOME HAIL STONES UP TO THE SIZE OF HALF DOLLARS.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 E Wilkesboro, NC
0.88″ hail
Jun 19, 2014
4:00 PM EST-5
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Nickel size hail fell in an area that covered parts of Collegiate Drive, Highway 421, and Highway 268 in Wilkesboro.
NWS Hail Report Location: .54 S Wilkes Co Arpt, NC
1.25″ hail
Jun 19, 2014
3:55 PM EST-5
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail ranging from quarter size to half dollar size fell on Route 421.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.12 W Wilkes Co Arpt, NC
0.75″ hail
Aug 1, 2012
11:20 PM EST-5
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: The public observed penny-sized hail in Wilkesboro.
NWS Hail Report Location: N Wilkesboro, NC
1.00″ hail
May 14, 2012
4:53 PM EST-5
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Nickel to quarter size hail was observed beginning at 5:53 PM EDT and ending at 5:56 PM EDT at the intersection of Congo Road and Winkler Mill Road, as well as along Highway 421.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.54 WNW Wilkes Co Arpt, NC
1.75″ hail
May 23, 2011
2:57 PM EST-5
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail occurred on Fishing Creek Road.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2.66 NNE Hunting Creek, NC
0.88″ hail
Jul 7, 2008
5:45 PM EST-5
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3.5 S Congo, NC
0.75″ hail
Nov 11, 2006
6:00 PM EST-5
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Caldwell County · 26,874 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 19 NW Lenoir, NC
1.25″ hail
Apr 28, 2002
4:48 PM EST
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Wilkesboro, NC
0.75″ hail
Jun 26, 2001
3:52 PM EST
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Wilkesboro, NC
1.00″ hail
Aug 26, 1999
2:15 PM EST
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Wilkesboro, NC
1.00″ hail
May 27, 1998
2:23 PM EST
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Wilkesboro, NC
1.75″ hail
May 24, 1996
4:45 PM EST
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 7 WSW Wilkesboro, NC
1.75″ hail
Sep 24, 1988
1:28 PM CST
Hail report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Not provided, NC
Showing 14 of 14
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 28697

89 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Aug 11, 2026
8:10 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several tree tops snapped off Woodland Blvd.
NWS Wind Report Location: Wilkesboro, NC
UNK mph
Aug 11, 2026
8:05 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down on Brookwood Drive.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Nw Wilkesboro, NC
UNK mph
Jul 18, 2026
8:00 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Dispatch reported that there were many reports of trees down across the county_ including several around Wilkesboro/North Wilkesboro. Time is estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Nne Wilkesboro, NC
UNK mph
Sep 4, 2025
6:50 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down on Edgewood Road near its intersection with Walker Street. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 ESE Wilkesboro, NC
UNK mph
Sep 4, 2025
6:38 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds downed a tree at the intersection of Edgewood Road and Walker Street. Time estimated.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 ESE Wilkesboro, NC
UNK mph
Jul 1, 2025
9:21 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several trees and utility lines blown down around the town of Wilkesboro. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: Wilkesboro, NC
UNK mph
Jun 19, 2025
8:04 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down at Edmiston Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 NW Boomer, NC
UNK mph
Mar 5, 2025
12:38 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Report from mPING: 1-inch tree limbs broken; Shingles blown off near intersection of Clark Rd and Fishing Creek Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 E North Wilkesboro, NC
UNK mph
Mar 5, 2025
12:23 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Thunderstorm winds ripped off an awning at a Starbucks. Relayed by media.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 SSW Cricket, NC
UNK mph
May 18, 2024
8:50 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 3 trees down. 1 at the Wilkesboro Speedway and 2 in Wilkesboro. Several tents were also blown down at the racetrack.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 ESE North Wilkesboro, NC
UNK mph
May 18, 2024
6:56 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: The Wilkes County Emergency Manager reported a small confined area in which several trees were twisted... blown over... or otherwise damaged... including some embedded power lines... at 500 Speedway Lane... just up the road from the Wilkesboro Race Track... which is located at 381 Speedway Lane... North Wilkesboro.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 ESE North Wilkesboro, NC
UNK mph
May 7, 2024
9:24 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: One tree blown down by thunderstorm winds north of Moravian Falls.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 S Wilkesboro, NC
UNK mph
Apr 11, 2024
11:05 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A swath of trees down around Cub Creek Church Road. Possible Tornado.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 S Wilkesboro, NC
UNK mph
Apr 11, 2024
10:48 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Two churches damaged by thunderstorm winds. Possible Tornado.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NE Wilkesboro, NC
UNK mph
Apr 11, 2024
10:48 PM UTC
Wind report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Winds damaged an apartment complex on Oak Hill Road. Possible Tornado.
NWS Wind Report Location: Wilkesboro, NC
Showing 15 of 89
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 28697

3 reports
UNK category
Apr 11, 2024
10:45 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: NWS survey confirms EF-1 tornado moved two miles north-northeast from this location ending at 36.15N/81.16W at 648 PM EDT. The path width was 300 yards. Estimated peak wind speed 105-110 mph. Numerous soft and hardwood trees were damaged or blown down. A tree fell on a house. An outbuilding was destroyed. Numerous shingles were blown off homes.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 1 SSW Wilkesboro, NC
UNK category
Oct 23, 2017
9:11 PM UTC
Tornado report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A NWS STORM SURVEY TEAM HAS CONFIRMED AN EF1 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN WILKESBORO NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF EAST MAIN STREET AND SALEM STREET AT AROUND 511 PM EDT...REMAINING INTERMITTEDLY ON THE GROUND FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES BEFORE LIFTING NEAR YELLOW BANKS ROAD JUST WEST OF HAYS AROUND 520 PM EDT.MANY TREES... HOMES...AND OUT BUILDINGS WERE AT LEAST PARTIALLY DAMAGED ALONG AND NEAR THE 275 YARD PATH OF THE STORM.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Wilkesboro, NC
F1 category
Jun 1, 1974
8:45 PM CST
Tornado report for ZIP 28697
Wilkes County · 21,577 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, 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 28697 on the Interactive Map

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NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · ZIP Code

ZIP 28697 area census snapshot

People & households
Population13,412
Households5,426
Housing units6,038
Income
Median household income$55,217
$100k+ households35.0%
$150k+ households9.4%
Housing stock
Single-family detached4,121
Attached single-family9
Small multifamily545
Large multifamily502
Mobile homes861
Housing mix
Single-family share68.3%
Attached-home share0.2%
Multifamily share17.3%
Mobile-home share14.3%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied3,703
Renter-occupied1,723
Vacant units612
Home value & age
Median home value$190,700
Owner homes $300k+21.0%
Owner homes $500k+6.7%
Owner homes $750k+2.4%
Median year built1978
Older-home share53.4%
Vehicle context
Households with cars5,087
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 28697 have on record?

Our records show 14 hail, 89 wind, and 3 tornado reports in and near ZIP 28697, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on August 11, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in ZIP 28697?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in and near ZIP 28697 is 1.75″. It was reported near Hunting Creek, NC on May 23, 2011.

A storm report showed up near my home in ZIP 28697 — 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 28697 and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.

I am buying a home in ZIP 28697 — 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 28697 address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.

I am selling a home in ZIP 28697 — 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 28697 address?

Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in ZIP 28697 — 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 28697, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in ZIP 28697, 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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