Heads up! Small hail spotted in these regions: Sebring, FL • North Port, FL • Fayetteville, NC • Durham, NC • Champaign, IL • Charlotte, NC • Fort Myers, FL • Lakeland, FL • Mattoon, IL • Corpus Christi, TXATTENTION! Damaging hail detected. Hail tracking is now active for these regions: Owensboro, KY • Knoxville, TN • Evansville, IN • Farmington, NM • Louisville, KY • Winston, NC • Greensboro, NC • Provo, UT • Logan, UT • Ogden, UT • Salt Lake City, UTHeads up! Small hail spotted in these regions: Sebring, FL • North Port, FL • Fayetteville, NC • Durham, NC • Champaign, IL • Charlotte, NC • Fort Myers, FL • Lakeland, FL • Mattoon, IL • Corpus Christi, TXATTENTION! Damaging hail detected. Hail tracking is now active for these regions: Owensboro, KY • Knoxville, TN • Evansville, IN • Farmington, NM • Louisville, KY • Winston, NC • Greensboro, NC • Provo, UT • Logan, UT • Ogden, UT • Salt Lake City, UT
Hi folks! Stay ahead of the storm with a 48-hour severe weather outlook, precise hail alerts, and live hail tracking. Access hail insights, historical hail maps, and detailed reports across 300+ regions for better planning and fewer "uh-oh" moments. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay protected - all completely free. Hi folks! Stay ahead of the storm with a 48-hour severe weather outlook, precise hail alerts, and live hail tracking. Access hail insights, historical hail maps, and detailed reports across 300+ regions for better planning and fewer "uh-oh" moments. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay protected - all completely free.
NOAA/NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER REPORTS + U.S. CENSUS DATA
Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in Rutherford County, NC
Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across Rutherford County, NC from June 24, 1964 through September 6, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.
Example: 28752 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code
Hail Reports
134
Wind Reports
333
Tornado Reports
11
Max Hail Size
2.75″
Source NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm ReportsCoverage Rutherford County, NC · 1964–presentUpdated Daily · last Sep 6, 2026
Hail Report Description: Spotter reported dime to quarter size hail.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2.25 E Whitehouse, NC
1.00″hail
May 25, 2014 3:05 PM EST-5
Hail report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Public reported up to quarter size hail in the Lake Lure area.
NWS Hail Report Location: N Lake Lure, NC
0.88″hail
May 25, 2014 3:01 PM EST-5
Hail report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Park Service Employee reported up to nickel size hail at Chimney Rock State Park.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1 SSW Chimney Rock, 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.
Wind Report Description: Trained Spotter reports major tree damage and a displaced streetlight pole on Pioner Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 E Ellenboro, NC
UNKmph
Sep 6, 2026 7:08 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees down on utility equipment.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 N Ellenboro, NC
UNKmph
Sep 6, 2026 6:57 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Utility Company reports trees down leading to power outages near Bostic.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 Nw Ellenboro, NC
UNKmph
Sep 6, 2026 6:34 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down on powerlines in the Union Mills area.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Sse Thermal City, NC
UNKmph
Sep 5, 2026 6:48 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Se Ellenboro, NC
UNKmph
Sep 5, 2026 6:42 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 Sse Sunshine, NC
UNKmph
Sep 5, 2026 6:41 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Wind Report Location: Ellenboro, NC
UNKmph
Aug 21, 2026 1:50 AM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 911 Call Center reports trees down on South Broadway Street.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Se Forest City, NC
UNKmph
Aug 21, 2026 1:45 AM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 911 Call Center reports trees down on Rosedale Drive.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Sw Forest City, NC
UNKmph
Aug 21, 2026 1:40 AM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 911 Call Center reports trees and powerlines down on Oakland Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 Sse Spindale, NC
UNKmph
Aug 21, 2026 1:37 AM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees down on Long Branch Road at Allen Loop Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 S Spindale, NC
UNKmph
Aug 21, 2026 1:30 AM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees snapped and/or uprooted on Bridgewood Lane_ described as significant damage. Damage also reported nearby along Coxe Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 S Rutherfordton, NC
UNKmph
Aug 21, 2026 1:15 AM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 911 Call Center reports trees down on Maple Creek Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Wnw Rutherfordton, NC
UNKmph
Aug 13, 2026 7:10 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Multiple Trees down on US 221 between R-S Central High School and US 64-74A in Rutherfordton. One tree was across Hardin Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 N Rutherfordton, NC
UNKmph
Aug 11, 2026 9:52 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trained spotter reports trees down in the Ellenboro area near the HWY 74 Bypass.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Ssw Ellenboro, NC
UNKmph
Jul 10, 2026 10:35 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Utility Company reported power outage due to fallen trees near Highway 64.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 NW Sunshine, NC
UNKmph
Jul 10, 2026 6:30 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees down. Also a door and some windows on a store front blown in.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 W Forest City, NC
UNKmph
Jun 27, 2026 8:04 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several trees down on utility equipment in the Forest City area.
NWS Wind Report Location: Forest City, NC
UNKmph
Jun 27, 2026 7:39 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Social media picture of a tree down in Rutherfordton.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NNE Rutherfordton, NC
UNKmph
Mar 16, 2026 12:35 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Power outages and utility line damage along Hines Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 3 SE Harris, NC
UNKmph
Mar 16, 2026 12:08 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down on US 221.
NWS Wind Report Location: 4 SSE Harris, NC
UNKmph
Sep 5, 2025 12:35 AM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Downed trees and/or utility lines leading to power outages.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 S Harris, NC
UNKmph
Jul 11, 2025 9:05 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down near Plantation Drive and Coxe Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 SSW Rutherfordton, NC
UNKmph
Jul 11, 2025 9:00 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down near Indian Trail and Whitesides Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NNE Spindale, NC
UNKmph
Jul 11, 2025 8:57 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree downed across Hudlow Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 N Spindale, NC
UNKmph
Jul 11, 2025 8:55 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down near Rock Road and Oak Springs Road.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 N Rutherfordton, NC
UNKmph
Jul 11, 2025 8:50 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down near Gilkey School Road and US 221.
NWS Wind Report Location: 5 S Thermal City, NC
UNKmph
Jun 25, 2025 9:09 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several trees down around the Forest City and Bostic areas.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 NE Forest City, NC
UNKmph
Jun 25, 2025 9:00 PM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees and/or utility lines down causing outages.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 S Ellenboro, NC
UNKmph
Jun 18, 2025 1:38 AM UTC
Wind report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Trees and powerlines downed around Ellenboro.
NWS Wind Report Location: Ellenboro, 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 Rutherford County
11 reports
UNKcategory
Sep 25, 2024 8:07 PM UTC
Tornado report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: Light damage to barn roofs... greenhouses... and trees down with some debris.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Shingle Hollow, NC
UNKcategory
Apr 10, 2021 11:21 PM UTC
Tornado report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: NWS STORM SURVEY REPORTED AN EF-0 TORNADO WITH ESTIMATED PEAK WIND SPEEDS OF 75 MPH SOUTHEAST OF FOREST CITY.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 6 SE Forest City, NC
UNKcategory
Jun 8, 2019 9:10 PM UTC
Tornado report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: APPARENT TORNADO DOWNED SEVERAL TREES ALONG WEBB RD. NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE REPORTED.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 SSE Ellenboro, NC
EF2category
Jan 11, 2012 5:21 PM EST-5
Tornado report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A tornado damage path begin near the Ellenboro community, just northeast of the intersection of Pinehurst Rd and Bridge Rd. The track was relatively weak and intermittent for the first mile or so, as it crossed into a wooded area before emerging on Tiney Rd near the Corinth community. The aluminum siding and some roofing was peeled off a shed at this location. The intermittent path continued to the northeast, before becoming more concentrated in the area near Piney Mountain Rd and Piney Mountain Church Rd. The tornado reached its peak intensity as it moved roughly parallel to Piney Mountain Rd, crossing W E Padgett Rd toward Walls Church Rd. Several homes received minor to major damage in this area, while two mobile homes were completely destroyed. Ten people were injured, one seriously. Several outbuildings were also destroyed, while numerous trees and power lines were felled. The tornado began to weaken as it continued northeast, crossing Walls Church Rd and Dycus Rd before lifting just north of Salem Church Rd. The tornado was the first winter tornado in Rutherford County recorded history, and the first significant tornado (F2/EF2 and stronger) to affect the county since 1989.
Tornado Report Description: This tornado began just southwest of Crowe Dairy Rd, where the tops of several trees were blown out. The tornado intensified as it moved northeast, blowing the porch off a home and scattering debris as far as 50 yards. In addition, part of the roof was lifted off an attached garage and doors were blown in on a shed at this location.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2.56 WSW Forest City, NC
F1category
Jul 7, 2005 9:52 AM EST
Tornado report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: This tornado moved into far southern Rutherford County from Spartanburg County in the Jonas Rd area. The metal roof was torn off a barn just across the state line. Otherwise, damage was mainly confined to snapped off an uprooted trees, some of which fell on homes. Near the end of the track, a mobile home was lifted and dropped 50-100 feet from its original position, resulting in severe damage.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 11 SSW Forest City, NC
F0category
May 24, 2000 5:20 PM EST
Tornado report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 20 NE Rutherfordton, NC
F4category
May 5, 1989 4:35 PM CST
Tornado report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NC
F1category
May 18, 1975 4:30 PM CST
Tornado report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NC
F2category
May 18, 1975 1:00 AM CST
Tornado report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NC
F0category
May 27, 1973 7:15 PM CST
Tornado report for Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County · 23,950 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NC
Showing 11 of 11
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 Rutherford County on the Interactive Map
Report type
Hail
Wind
Tornado
Get a free hail report for your address
Address-level hail history. 100% free. No phone or email required.
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 Rutherford County
Not sure if hail may have affected your home in Rutherford 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.
How many hail, wind, and tornado reports does Rutherford County have on record?
Our records show 134 hail, 333 wind, and 11 tornado reports in Rutherford 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 Rutherford County?
The largest hail size in these storm-report records in Rutherford County is 2.75″. It was reported near Lake Lure, NC on May 8, 2024.
A storm report showed up near my home in Rutherford 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 Rutherford County and ask about a Remote Hail Inspection before anyone climbs on the roof.
I am buying a home in Rutherford 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 Rutherford County address before closing helps you ask informed questions about roof age, past repairs, and any prior claims.
I am selling a home in Rutherford 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 Rutherford County address?
Use the address search to pull a free address-level hail report for any property in Rutherford 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 Rutherford County, NC, sourced from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. They show where hail, wind, or tornado activity was reported in Rutherford 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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