Haywood County, North Carolina Tropical Cyclone History
Since 1896, 12 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Haywood County, North Carolina — about one every 10.8 years. Of those, 0 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Zeta (2020), which passed 19 miles away on 29 October 2020.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
Key facts
- Most recentZeta (2020) — 19 mi away, 29 October 2020
- Strongest stormZeta (2020) — 45 kt (52 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordDanny (1985) — 7.9 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)None on record
- Passes within 25 miles6 of 12
- Peak monthSeptember — 4 storms (33% of all)
- Most active year2004 — 2 storms
- Most active decade2000s — 3 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi0
- Record span1896–2020
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1890s | 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeta (2020) | 29 Oct 2020 | 19.2 mi | TS / TD | 45 kt |
| Florence (2018) | 17 Sep 2018 | 34.1 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Ivan (2004) | 17 Sep 2004 | 19.2 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Frances (2004) | 8 Sep 2004 | 28.1 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Bill (2003) | 2 Jul 2003 | 20.1 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Beryl (1994) | 17 Aug 1994 | 21.8 mi | TS / TD | 15 kt |
| Danny (1985) | 18 Aug 1985 | 7.9 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Abby (1968) | 8 Jun 1968 | 48.1 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1928) | 16 Aug 1928 | 44.6 mi | TS / TD | 28 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1916) | 15 Jul 1916 | 26.6 mi | TS / TD | 32 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1906) | 18 Sep 1906 | 36.2 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1896) | 8 Jul 1896 | 8.5 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
A further 8 systems passed within 50 miles after losing tropical characteristics. These are excluded from the counts above because they were no longer tropical cyclones at their closest approach — but several were highly damaging, so they are listed here.
| Storm | Status | Closest approach | Distance | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicole (2022) | Remnant low | 11 Nov 2022 | 47.4 mi | 25 kt |
| Fred (2021) | Remnant low | 18 Aug 2021 | 42.0 mi | 25 kt |
| Cindy (2005) | Post-tropical | 7 Jul 2005 | 30.9 mi | 20 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1911) | Post-tropical | 30 Aug 1911 | 25.2 mi | 26 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1907) | Post-tropical | 23 Sep 1907 | 47.7 mi | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1905) | Post-tropical | 11 Oct 1905 | 36.8 mi | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1902) | Post-tropical | 11 Oct 1902 | 42.5 mi | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1901) | Post-tropical | 28 Sep 1901 | 28.0 mi | 34 kt |
How Haywood County, North Carolina compares
Among the 2,208 U.S. counties and county-equivalents that have recorded at least one tropical cyclone within 50 miles, Haywood County, North Carolina ranks #1,150 — more exposed than 47.9% of them. Within North Carolina it ranks #93 of 100, against a state average of 37.9 storms per county.
Notable storms
- TS / TD Zeta (2020) passed 19 miles away on 29 October 2020 as a tropical storm, reaching 45 kt (52 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1916) passed 27 miles away on 15 July 1916 as a tropical storm, reaching 36 kt (41 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1906) passed 36 miles away on 18 September 1906 as a tropical depression, reaching 31 kt (36 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1896) passed 8 miles away on 8 July 1896 as a tropical depression, reaching 30 kt (35 mph) while within 50 miles.
12 of the 12 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 10.8 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 12 storms spread over the 130 years from 1896 to 2025. 1 separate year saw more than one storm pass within 50 miles while decades have gone by with none. The longest recorded quiet stretch was 40 years, between 1928 and 1968. It has been 5 years since the last one; 8 of the 10 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
Has a hurricane ever hit Haywood County, North Carolina?
No. No tropical cyclone on record has passed within 50 miles of Haywood County, North Carolina while at hurricane strength. 12 tropical cyclones have passed within that distance since 1896, all of them as tropical storms or depressions. The strongest was Zeta (2020).
When was the last tropical cyclone in Haywood County, North Carolina?
Zeta (2020), on 29 October 2020, passing 19 miles away — 6 years ago. No storm on record has passed within 50 miles of Haywood County, North Carolina at hurricane strength.
What was the strongest storm to affect Haywood County, North Carolina?
Zeta (2020), which reached 45 kt (52 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 19 miles.
How often does a tropical storm reach Haywood County, North Carolina?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 10.8 years — 12 storms over the 130 years from 1896 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby counties
Haywood County, North Carolina borders or sits close to 6 other counties with a published storm record. Jackson County, North Carolina has 16 on record.