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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in and near Hickory, NC

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports in and near Hickory, NC from May 27, 1973 through August 18, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 28601 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
48
Wind Reports
103
Tornado Reports
1
Max Hail Size
2.00″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Hickory, NC · 1973–present Updated  Daily · last Aug 18, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in and near Hickory, NC

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
May 15, 2024
7:31 PM UTC
Hail report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 SE Hickory, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 1, 2023
10:12 PM UTC
Hail report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Penny to nickel size hail with a few larger stones around quarter size mixed in.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 SSW Hickory, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 11, 2019
8:10 PM UTC
Hail report for Hickory, NC
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
2.00″ hail
Jul 21, 2018
10:40 PM UTC
Hail report for Hickory, NC
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 21, 2018
10:40 PM UTC
Hail report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: SOCIAL MEDIA REPORTED QUARTER (1.00 IN) SIZE HAIL IN HICKORY. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 SW Hickory, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 17, 2017
10:05 PM UTC
Hail report for Hickory, NC
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
1.00″ hail
Jun 13, 2017
8:00 PM UTC
Hail report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: QUARTER SIZE HAIL REPORTED ALONG HIGHWAY 70 NEAR HICKORY MOTOR SPEEDWAY.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 SE Hickory, NC
1.75″ hail
Jun 29, 2016
7:44 PM UTC
Hail report for Hickory, NC
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 Hickory, NC
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 Hickory, NC
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 Hickory, NC
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 Hickory, NC
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
0.75″ hail
Aug 19, 2011
3:00 PM EST-5
Hail report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: .89 NW Hickory, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 7, 2011
4:08 PM EST-5
Hail report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Quarter size hail was reported on Springs Rd.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 NE Hickory, NC
0.75″ hail
Jun 28, 2011
4:52 PM EST-5
Hail report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Penny size hail fell at the intersection of 16th Ave and N Center St.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.49 NNW Hickory, NC
Showing 15 of 30
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 Hickory, NC

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Aug 18, 2026
12:30 AM UTC
Wind report for Hickory, NC
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 Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Multiple trees down across Lenoir-Rhyne campus.
NWS Wind Report Location: Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Aug 18, 2026
12:12 AM UTC
Wind report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Ham radio operator reports multiple trees blown down on Robinson Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 Sse Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Jul 28, 2026
10:41 PM UTC
Wind report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Power outage near 8th St SW and Hwy 70 attributed to fallen trees or limbs.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 E Longview, NC
UNK mph
Jul 19, 2026
6:45 PM UTC
Wind report for Hickory, NC
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 28, 2025
8:45 PM UTC
Wind report for Hickory, NC
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 Hickory, NC
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 7, 2023
8:33 PM UTC
Wind report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Multiple trees down along with powerlines down on Startown Rd and Hwy 321. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 SE Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Aug 7, 2023
8:28 PM UTC
Wind report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Social media report of multiple trees and power lines down on River Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 S Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Aug 7, 2023
8:25 PM UTC
Wind report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Social media image of tree down in roadway.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 S Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Jul 29, 2023
11:32 PM UTC
Wind report for Hickory, NC
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 Hickory, NC
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
Jul 18, 2020
7:44 PM UTC
Wind report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: LARGE TREE LIMBS DOWN ALONG HIGHWAY 127
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 SSW Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Apr 13, 2020
7:35 AM UTC
Wind report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A TREE AND POWER LINE FELL ON A VEHICLE AND STRUCTURE.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 S Hickory, NC
UNK mph
Aug 31, 2018
11:10 PM UTC
Wind report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 911 CALL CENTER REPORTED TREES DOWN ALONG ROBINSON RD.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 SSE Hickory, NC
Showing 15 of 30
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 Hickory, NC

1 reports
F0 category
Sep 28, 1998
3:55 PM EST
Tornado report for Hickory, NC
Catawba County · 48,798 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Hickory, NC
Showing 1 of 1
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 Hickory, NC on the Interactive Map

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Browse ZIP Codes with NWS Storm Reports in Hickory

28601 138
Hickory, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28602 140
Hickory, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28658 76
Newton, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28613 95
Conover, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28630 60
Granite Falls, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · City

Hickory, NC area census snapshot

People & households
Population43,747
Households17,309
Housing units19,328
Income
Median household income$63,361
$100k+ households34.7%
$150k+ households13.3%
Housing stock
Single-family detached10,466
Attached single-family941
Small multifamily3,721
Large multifamily3,367
Mobile homes833
Housing mix
Single-family share54.2%
Attached-home share4.9%
Multifamily share36.7%
Mobile-home share4.3%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied9,674
Renter-occupied7,635
Vacant units2,019
Home value & age
Median home value$248,300
Owner homes $300k+39.5%
Owner homes $500k+11.8%
Owner homes $750k+3.2%
Median year built1983
Older-home share45.0%
Vehicle context
Households with cars16,060
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 Hickory have on record?

Our records show 48 hail, 103 wind, and 1 tornado reports in and near Hickory, NC, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on August 18, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Hickory?

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

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

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

I am selling a home in Hickory — 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 Hickory address?

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