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

Hail, Wind & Tornado Reports in Swain County, NC

Public hail, wind, and tornado reports across Swain County, NC from April 3, 1974 through August 17, 2026, sourced from NOAA/NWS Local Storm Reports and SPC storm report data.

Example: 28771 — search hail, wind and tornado public reports for any U.S. ZIP code 
Hail Reports
19
Wind Reports
96
Tornado Reports
4
Max Hail Size
1.25″
Source  NOAA SPC · NWS Local Storm Reports Coverage  Swain County, NC · 1974–present Updated  Daily · last Aug 17, 2026

Latest NWS Hail Reports in Swain County

19 reports
Free hail report for your home →
1.00″ hail
Sep 5, 2015
1:20 PM EST-5
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Public and spotters reported dime to nickel size hail on the north side of Bryson City, particularly along Deep Creek Rd near the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.49 NNE Bryson City, NC
1.00″ hail
Jul 14, 2015
9:51 AM EST-5
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Public reported quarter size hail in the Almond area.
NWS Hail Report Location: N Almond, NC
1.00″ hail
May 22, 2013
1:54 PM EST-5
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Quarter size hail fell 3 to 4 miles northeast of Bryson City, including at Bryson Dam.
NWS Hail Report Location: .89 NW Ela, NC
0.88″ hail
Apr 26, 2012
4:13 PM EST-5
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 4 W Bryson City, NC
1.25″ hail
Apr 26, 2012
3:50 PM EST-5
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Half dollar size hail fell in Bryson City.
NWS Hail Report Location: N Bryson City, NC
0.75″ hail
Apr 3, 2012
1:00 PM EST-5
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 1.83 ESE Almond, NC
0.88″ hail
Apr 3, 2012
12:45 PM EST-5
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Nickel size hail fell in the Needmore community.
NWS Hail Report Location: .73 SSE Needmore, NC
1.00″ hail
Jun 24, 2011
2:12 PM EST-5
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: Quarter size hail fell at Cheoah Dam.
NWS Hail Report Location: 12.3 W Proctor, NC
0.88″ hail
Jun 18, 2011
12:44 PM EST-5
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: .69 S Bryson City, NC
0.75″ hail
Jun 9, 2008
2:35 PM EST-5
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 3 SW Bryson City, NC
0.75″ hail
May 20, 2008
3:40 PM EST-5
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: N Alarka, NC
0.75″ hail
Apr 19, 2006
9:00 AM EST
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Cherokee, NC
0.88″ hail
Feb 21, 2005
12:48 PM EST
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Bryson City, NC
0.75″ hail
Jul 22, 2002
2:35 PM EST
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: 2 W Cherokee, NC
0.75″ hail
Jul 2, 2002
5:30 PM EST
Hail report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Hail Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Hail Report Location: Bryson City, NC
Showing 15 of 19
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 Swain County

30 reports
Free hail report + wind check →
UNK mph
Aug 17, 2026
10:45 AM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree and/or utility line damage leading to power outages along Johnson Branch Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Ene Bryson City, NC
UNK mph
Jul 28, 2026
11:30 PM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Social media photos of trees downed near Deals Gap.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Nne Tapoco, NC
UNK mph
Jul 28, 2026
11:24 PM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Power outage attributed to fallen trees or limbs.
NWS Wind Report Location: Alarka, NC
UNK mph
Jul 28, 2026
11:15 PM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Utility company reports trees and powerlines down leading to power outages in the Wesser area.
NWS Wind Report Location: Wesser, NC
UNK mph
Jul 28, 2026
8:10 PM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 911 Call Center reported multiple trees down between Bryson City and Alarka.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 Ne Luada, NC
UNK mph
Jul 3, 2026
7:46 PM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Power outage attributed to fallen trees or limbs south of Panther Branch Rd. Time estimated from radar.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 SSE Almond, NC
UNK mph
Jul 3, 2026
7:41 PM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Dispatcher indicates multiple trees down between the communities of Almond and Wesser in the vicinity of Highway 19. Power outages reported by utility company in same area.
NWS Wind Report Location: Wesser, NC
UNK mph
Mar 16, 2026
8:35 AM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Utility line damage along Jones Creek Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 1 SSE Alarka, NC
UNK mph
Jun 24, 2025
9:30 PM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Several trees blown down in and near Bryson City late Tuesday afternoon.
NWS Wind Report Location: Bryson City, NC
UNK mph
Jun 24, 2025
9:30 PM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down on Fontana Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NNW Bryson City, NC
UNK mph
Jun 24, 2025
8:51 PM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down along Big Cove Rd.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NNE Cherokee, NC
UNK mph
Jun 24, 2025
8:46 PM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Tree down across parking lot.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NNE Cherokee, NC
UNK mph
May 17, 2025
8:05 AM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: Utility company reported several trees blown down on power lines and causing outages northeast of Almond.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NE Almond, NC
UNK mph
Apr 7, 2025
8:50 AM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: At the Swain Co High School and Performance Center complex... a roll-up garage door was blown in... a soccer goal was blown into a fence... and pole vaulting mats were lofted and blown onto the standards.
NWS Wind Report Location: 2 NNW Bryson City, NC
UNK mph
Jul 16, 2024
8:20 PM UTC
Wind report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Wind Report Description: 3 trees down near US 441 and highway 19.
NWS Wind Report Location: Cherokee, 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 Swain County

4 reports
UNK category
May 6, 2022
9:00 PM UTC
Tornado report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: NWS DAMAGE SURVEY CONFIRMS WEAK TORNADO.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 2 N Bryson City, NC
EF0 category
Mar 2, 2012
2:52 PM EST-5
Tornado report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: A NWS Storm Survey found a short damage path of a weak tornado in a remote section of the Great Smoky Mountains. Several small trees were snapped and a large tree uprooted along the 100 yard path.
NWS Tornado Report Location: 4.47 NE Solola Vly, NC
F1 category
Feb 18, 1976
12:30 PM CST
Tornado report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 Homes in County
Tornado Report Description: No National Weather Service description provided.
NWS Tornado Report Location: Not provided, NC
F2 category
Apr 3, 1974
6:15 PM CST
Tornado report for Swain County, NC
Swain County · 5,727 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 Swain County on the Interactive Map

Report type
Hail
Wind
Tornado

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Browse Cities with NWS Storm Reports in Swain County

Bryson City, NC 95
Hail, wind & tornado reports
Cherokee, NC 21
Hail, wind & tornado reports

NWS Storm Reports & Census Data

U.S. Census Data · County

Swain County, NC area census snapshot

People & households
Population14,065
Households5,837
Housing units8,529
Income
Median household income$55,429
$100k+ households36.1%
$150k+ households11.6%
Housing stock
Single-family detached5,727
Attached single-family72
Small multifamily480
Large multifamily15
Mobile homes2,157
Housing mix
Single-family share67.2%
Attached-home share0.8%
Multifamily share5.8%
Mobile-home share25.3%
Ownership & occupancy
Owner-occupied4,276
Renter-occupied1,561
Vacant units2,692
Home value & age
Median home value$209,800
Owner homes $300k+24.8%
Owner homes $500k+5.1%
Owner homes $750k+1.9%
Median year built1989
Older-home share37.2%
Vehicle context
Households with cars5,288
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 Swain County

28771 118
Robbinsville, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28713 76
Bryson City, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28719 40
Cherokee, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28789 19
Cherokee, NC Hail, wind & tornado reports
28702 3
NC Hail, wind & tornado reports

Get a Remote Hail Inspection

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

Our records show 19 hail, 96 wind, and 4 tornado reports in Swain County, compiled from NOAA SPC and NWS Local Storm Reports. The most recent was reported on August 17, 2026.

What is the largest hail ever reported in Swain County?

The largest hail size in these storm-report records in Swain County is 1.25″. It was reported near N Bryson City, NC on April 26, 2012.

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

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

I am selling a home in Swain 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 Swain County address?

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