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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in Polk County, NC

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across Polk County, NC from July 15, 1966 through September 6, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 28139 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
71
Wind Reports
138
Tornado Reports
4
Max Hail Size
2.75″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Polk County, NC · 1966–present Updated  Daily · last Sep 6, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in Polk County

30 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.50″ hail
Aug 21, 2026
2:36 AM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Minor hail damage reported on roof of house and car. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 Sw Tryon, NC
1.00″ hail
Aug 21, 2026
2:30 AM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Picture received via social media. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Hail Report Location: Tryon, NC
1.00″ hail
Aug 30, 2022
9:08 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: 1 INCH HAIL JUST NORTH OF SALUDA...NC.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 N Saluda, NC
1.00″ hail
May 6, 2022
9:09 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: MOSTLY PEA TO MARBLE SIZED HAIL BUT A FEW HAILSTONES WERE QUARTER SIZED.
NWS Hail Report Location: 6 W Harris, NC
1.00″ hail
May 10, 2018
7:58 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: QUARTER SIZE HAIL AT THE TRYON INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER.
NWS Hail Report Location: 8 SW Rutherfordton, NC
1.75″ hail
May 10, 2018
7:55 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: A SCHOOL SOCCER TEAM BUS WAS HIT BY QUARTER TO GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL WHILE TRAVELING ALONG HIGHWAY 74.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 ENE Columbus, NC
1.00″ hail
May 10, 2018
7:42 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: QUARTER SIZED SIZED HAIL.
NWS Hail Report Location: Mill Spring, NC
1.00″ hail
May 31, 2016
8:14 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: LOCATION OF THE REPORT ESTIMATED TO ALIGN WITH RADAR DATA.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 SE Columbus, NC
1.00″ hail
May 1, 2016
7:57 PM UTC
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: HAD QUARTER SIZED HAIL AS THE STORM PASSED OVER THE GREEN CREEK COMMUNITY.
NWS Hail Report Location: 5 SE Mill Spring, NC
0.88″ hail
Aug 5, 2015
6:31 PM EST-5
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: HAM radio operator reported nickel size hail on Highway 9 near the South Carolina border.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2.19 SE Collinsville, NC
0.75″ hail
Aug 12, 2014
12:26 PM EST-5
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Public reported 3/4 inch hail.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.13 W Sandy Plains, NC
1.00″ hail
Jun 8, 2014
5:00 PM EST-5
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Public reported quarter size hail on the state line southwest of Green Creek.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 S Collinsville, NC
0.75″ hail
Aug 23, 2013
3:29 PM EST-5
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Hail up to the size of pennies was reported in the Mill Spring community.
NWS Hail Report Location: .56 E Mill Spg, NC
0.75″ hail
May 22, 2013
4:52 PM EST-5
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: The relative of an NWS employee reported penny size inch hail on highway 9 at the Rutherford County line.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.78 NW Sunny View, NC
1.00″ hail
May 22, 2013
4:48 PM EST-5
Hail report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Quarter size hail fell along highway 9 in the Sunny View community.
NWS Hail Report Location: .56 W Sunny View, 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 Polk County

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Sep 6, 2026
7:13 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Utility Company reports trees down leading to power outages on Coxe Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 7 Se Mill Spring, NC
UNK mph
Sep 5, 2026
6:31 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Columbus, NC
UNK mph
Aug 21, 2026
11:48 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Multiple trees down on power lines.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Nne Tryon, NC
UNK mph
Aug 21, 2026
2:23 AM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 911 Call Center reports numerous trees and powerlines down in the Tryon and Columbus area.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Ssw Columbus, NC
UNK mph
Aug 21, 2026
2:08 AM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Corrects previous non-tstm wnd dmg report from Saluda. Utility company reports trees and powerlines down leading to power outages in the Saluda area.
NWS Wind Report Location: Saluda, NC
UNK mph
Jun 25, 2025
9:45 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Social media picture of trees down in the Tryon area.
NWS Wind Report Location: Tryon, NC
UNK mph
Jun 25, 2025
9:41 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Social media picture of several trees down in the Columbus area.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NE Columbus, NC
UNK mph
Jun 25, 2025
9:36 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down on utility equipment.
NWS Wind Report Location: Saluda, NC
UNK mph
Jun 18, 2025
1:18 AM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Social media picture of several trees down in Mill Spring.
NWS Wind Report Location: Mill Spring, NC
UNK mph
Jun 18, 2025
1:07 AM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees down on utility equipment.
NWS Wind Report Location: Saluda, NC
UNK mph
Jun 18, 2025
1:06 AM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several trees down in the Tryon area.
NWS Wind Report Location: Tryon, NC
UNK mph
Dec 29, 2024
2:00 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several trees and power lines down around Tryon.
NWS Wind Report Location: Tryon, NC
UNK mph
Aug 17, 2024
9:05 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 911 Call Centers received numerous reports of downed trees across Polk County. Duke Energy reports a couple hundred customers without power near White Oak Mountain Rd in the Stearns community and near Skyuka Rd just west of Columbus. Additional power outages were reported further east near Bill Collins Rd and Smith Waldrop Rd SSE of Mill Spring. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NNW Columbus, NC
UNK mph
Jun 4, 2024
7:36 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: A couple of trees were blown down in the Green Creek area.
NWS Wind Report Location: 8 ESE Mill Spring, NC
UNK mph
Aug 14, 2023
8:20 PM UTC
Wind report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 911 Call Center reported powerlines down on Judge Rd and Warrior Dr.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NNW Tryon, 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 Polk County

4 reports
UNK category
Dec 29, 2024
1:13 PM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: An EF-0 tornado briefly touched down along AR Thompson Road east of Mill Spring. It then lifted to the north-northwest... crossing High Meadows Drive and uprooting dozens of trees along the roadside... before dissipating just south of Highway 108.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 ENE Mill Spring, NC
UNK category
Oct 8, 2017
9:40 PM UTC
Tornado report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: NWS STORM SURVEY CONFIRMED AN EF1 TORNADO IN POLK COUNTY NC.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Tryon, NC
EF0 category
Oct 26, 2010
7:03 PM EST-5
Tornado report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: This tornado touched down in the Sandy Plains Rd area just north of White Oak Creek, breaking off the tops of several trees and some large branches. The tornado then skipped east northeast, snapping and uprooting a small but concentrated area of trees in the Coxe Rd area. One large tree fell on a home on Coxe Rd before the tornado lifted.
NWS Tornado Report Location: .47 WSW Roddy Store, NC
F1 category
Aug 17, 1977
11:36 AM CST
Tornado report for Polk County, NC
Polk County · 8,631 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NC
Showing 4 of 4
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 Polk County on the Interactive Map

Report type
Hail
Wind
Tornado

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Browse Cities with NWS Storm Reports in Polk County

Columbus, NC 152
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Tryon, NC 37
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Saluda, NC 23
Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · County

Polk County, NC area census snapshot

People & households
Population19,689
Households8,727
Housing units10,949
Income
Median household income$61,005
$100k+ households34.8%
$150k+ households12.9%
Housing stock
Single-family detached8,631
Attached single-family166
Small multifamily503
Large multifamily381
Mobile homes1,259
Housing mix
Single-family share78.8%
Attached-home share1.5%
Multifamily share8.1%
Mobile-home share11.5%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied6,689
Renter-occupied2,038
Vacant units2,222
Home value & age
Median home value$281,100
Owner homes $300k+46.2%
Owner homes $500k+19.1%
Owner homes $750k+9.6%
Median year built1982
Older-home share46.6%
Vehicle context
Households with cars8,437
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 Polk County

28139 167
Rutherfordton, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28792 65
Edneyville, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28722 60
Columbus, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28756 59
Columbus, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28782 55
Tryon, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28773 34
Saluda, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28731 30
Flat Rock, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

Not sure if hail may have affected your home in Polk 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 Polk County have on record?

Our records show 71 hail, 138 wind, and 4 tornado reports in Polk 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 Polk County?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in Polk County is 2.75″. It was reported near Columbus, NC on June 4, 1985.

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

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

I am selling a home in Polk 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 Polk County address?

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