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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in McDowell County, NC

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across McDowell County, NC from June 20, 1974 through September 6, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 28655 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
139
Wind Reports
292
Tornado Reports
6
Max Hail Size
2.50″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  McDowell County, NC · 1974–present Updated  Daily · last Sep 6, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in McDowell County

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Aug 11, 2026
8:58 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 N Glenwood, NC
1.00″ hail
Aug 11, 2026
8:56 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Corrects previous hail report from 3 N Glenwood.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 N Glenwood, NC
1.00″ hail
Aug 11, 2026
8:50 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Marion, NC
1.00″ hail
Aug 11, 2026
8:45 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Corrects previous hail report from Marion.
NWS Hail Report Location: Marion, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 18, 2026
6:30 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Report of 1 inch hail in Dysartsville from social media.
NWS Hail Report Location: Dysartsville, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 18, 2026
6:27 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: mPING report of 1 inch hail near Landis Lane.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 Sw Dysartsville, NC
1.00″ hail
Jun 25, 2025
8:07 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Social media report of hail up to quarter size just east of Marion.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 SW Nebo, NC
1.00″ hail
Jun 25, 2025
7:30 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Little Switzerland, NC
1.00″ hail
May 8, 2025
8:54 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Old Fort, NC
1.00″ hail
May 8, 2025
8:49 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Dysartsville, NC
1.00″ hail
May 8, 2025
8:25 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Marion, NC
1.75″ hail
May 8, 2025
8:20 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Emergency Management reports golf ball sized hail.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 NNE Thermal City, NC
1.00″ hail
May 8, 2025
8:17 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: mPING user reported quarter-sized (1.00 in.) hail. Time estimated by radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 SW Dysartsville, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 25, 2023
7:00 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail up to the size of quarters. Also strong wind but no known damage.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 W Marion, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 2, 2023
11:14 PM UTC
Hail report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Social media picture of multiple quarter size hail stones on Zion Hill Rd.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 NW Sugar Hill, 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 McDowell County

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Sep 6, 2026
6:31 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Multiple trees on road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 E Old Fort, NC
UNK mph
Sep 6, 2026
6:29 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down on house.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 N Dysartsville, NC
UNK mph
Sep 6, 2026
6:19 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Utility Company reports trees down leading to power outages near Oakdale Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 E Old Fort, NC
UNK mph
Aug 28, 2026
7:11 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Ne Dysartsville, NC
UNK mph
Aug 17, 2026
11:40 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Emergency manager reports trees down on Mud Cut Rd and Old Fort Sugar Hill Rd in the Sugar Hill community. Another tree down on Highway 226 near the Rutherford Co line.
NWS Wind Report Location: Sugar Hill, NC
UNK mph
Aug 11, 2026
9:12 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Multiple trees down on road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Nw Glenwood, NC
UNK mph
Aug 11, 2026
8:58 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1 NW Glenwood. Multiple trees down on road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Nw Glenwood, NC
UNK mph
Aug 11, 2026
8:49 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree on a house.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 E Marion, NC
UNK mph
Aug 11, 2026
8:43 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down on road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Nw Marion, NC
UNK mph
Aug 11, 2026
8:41 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 1 E Marion. Tree on a house.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 E Marion, NC
UNK mph
Aug 11, 2026
8:35 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Corrects previous tstm wnd dmg report from 2 NW Marion. Tree down on road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Nw Marion, NC
UNK mph
Jul 28, 2026
10:42 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Emergency Manager reports trees down across central and eastern McDowell County.
NWS Wind Report Location: Marion, NC
UNK mph
Jul 18, 2026
6:35 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Power lines down 400 block Rolands Chapel Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Wsw Nebo, NC
UNK mph
Jul 18, 2026
6:20 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees downed along Vein Mtn Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 E Fero, NC
UNK mph
Jul 18, 2026
6:20 PM UTC
Wind report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees downed along Hwy 221.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Sse Fero, 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 McDowell County

6 reports
UNK category
Apr 12, 2021
12:11 AM UTC
Tornado report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A TORNADO RIPPED THE FLAT ROOF OFF OF A SHED AT A HOME ON MUDDY CREEK RD NEAR DYSARTSVILLE... AND CAUSED NUMEROUS TREES TO FALL ALONG ABOUT 0.6 MILE OF THE ROAD. EF0 RATING... 80 MPH MAX WIND.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 5 SE Nebo, NC
UNK category
Apr 19, 2019
2:26 PM UTC
Tornado report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A MCDOWELL COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DAMAGE SURVEY... IN COORDINATION WITH THE NWS... DETERMINED THAT A SMALL EF0 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN ALONG US 221 N IN ASHFORD... TRAVELING JUST OVER HALF A MILE. MOST OF THE DAMAGE CONSISTED OF LIMBS DOWN WITH SOME TREES UPROOTED... BUT SOME MINOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE WAS OBSERVED... INCLUDING TO SHINGLES OF THE INN AT BLUE RIDGE AND SOME METAL SKIRTING AROUND THE BASE OF A MOBILE HOME. SOME SMALL OUTBUILDINGS ALSO SUSTAINED DAMAGE.
NWS Tornado Report Location: NNW Ashford, NC
EF0 category
Oct 14, 2014
7:48 PM EST-5
Tornado report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: NWS Storm Survey found a short path of a weak tornado that touched down just south of Wilkerson Way, just off Montford Cove Rd near the Rutherford County line. The tornado initially only snapped a few tree limbs and flattened a hedge. The tornado moved rapidly north/northeast, flattening a corn field at a farmstead near Wilkerson Way. A portion of the north facing roof of a barn was removed at this location, with material tossed upwards of a 100 yards to the north. Another small shed was moved off its foundation by about 8 feet and its roofing was blown off. The tornado continued just east of due north, destroying a carport at a business and tossing debris as much as 200 yards. Some heavy motors were also pushed over at this location and a piece of steel estimated at 70 pounds was flung about 50 feet. A small trailer was also moved and damaged by flying debris. Another open bed trailer was apparently flipped and severely damaged. The tornado proceeded north/ northeast from there, moving through the yard of a home, where numerous trees were blown down and branches snapped. A barn under construction at this location had scaffolding from inside the barn blown out in opposite directions from the north and south facing doors. The tornado continued to blow down numerous tall evergreen trees as it moved north/northeast before lifting just north of Crossings Dr.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2.36 SSW Sugar Hill, NC
F0 category
May 24, 2000
4:50 PM EST
Tornado report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 8 E Marion, NC
F2 category
May 7, 1998
4:55 PM EST
Tornado report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Another supercell which tracked across the mountains spawned a tornado that travelled through a portion of Glenwood. Several homes and mobiles sustained damage or were destroyed.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Glenwood, NC
F0 category
Apr 20, 1996
12:50 PM EST
Tornado report for McDowell County, NC
McDowell County · 14,715 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 8 S Marion, NC
Showing 6 of 6
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 McDowell County on the Interactive Map

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Wind
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Browse Cities with NWS Storm Reports in McDowell County

Marion, NC 192
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Glenwood, NC 94
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Old Fort, NC 87
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Nebo, NC 46
Hail, wind & tornado reports
West Marion, NC 17
Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · County

McDowell County, NC area census snapshot

People & households
Population44,679
Households18,445
Housing units21,475
Income
Median household income$55,527
$100k+ households31.1%
$150k+ households9.7%
Housing stock
Single-family detached14,715
Attached single-family238
Small multifamily653
Large multifamily324
Mobile homes5,395
Housing mix
Single-family share68.5%
Attached-home share1.1%
Multifamily share4.6%
Mobile-home share25.1%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied13,657
Renter-occupied4,788
Vacant units3,030
Home value & age
Median home value$168,300
Owner homes $300k+22.1%
Owner homes $500k+7.0%
Owner homes $750k+3.7%
Median year built1983
Older-home share44.9%
Vehicle context
Households with cars17,271
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.

Top ZIP Codes with NWS Storm Reports in McDowell County

28655 371
Morganton, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28752 276
Marion, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28761 93
Nebo, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28762 79
Old Fort, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28657 58
Newland, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28167 45
NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28711 39
Black Mountain, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28777 29
Spruce Pine, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28749 2
NC Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in McDowell County? Ask a local pro for a Remote Hail Inspection. They can review hail activity for your property and help you decide whether an in-person roof or exterior inspection makes sense.

Frequently asked questions

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

Our records show 139 hail, 292 wind, and 6 tornado reports in McDowell County, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on September 6, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in McDowell County?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in McDowell County is 2.50″. It was reported near East Marion, NC on April 9, 2011.

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

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

I am selling a home in McDowell County — 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 McDowell County address?

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