Hyde County, North Carolina Hurricane History
Since 1851, 78 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Hyde County, North Carolina — about one every 2.2 years. Of those, 25 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Claudette (2021), which passed 45 miles away on 21 June 2021.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
How strong they get
Key facts
- Most recentClaudette (2021) — 45 mi away, 21 June 2021
- Strongest stormUnnamed Storm (1899) — 105 kt (121 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordUnnamed Storm (1894) — 1.3 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)Unnamed Storm (1879) — 10.3 miles
- Passes within 25 miles40 of 78
- Peak monthSeptember — 26 storms (33% of all)
- Most active year1861 — 3 storms
- Most active decade1960s — 11 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi3
- Record span1851–2021
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 20 | 26 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1850s | 1860s | 1870s | 1880s | 1890s | 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudette (2021) | 21 Jun 2021 | 45.3 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Dorian (2019) | 6 Sep 2019 | 33.3 mi | Cat 2 | 85 kt |
| Matthew (2016) | 9 Oct 2016 | 49.7 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Hermine (2016) | 3 Sep 2016 | 8.0 mi | TS / TD | 58 kt |
| Bonnie (2016) | 2 Jun 2016 | 47.4 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Arthur (2014) | 4 Jul 2014 | 11.4 mi | Cat 2 | 85 kt |
| Irene (2011) | 27 Aug 2011 | 10.4 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Gabrielle (2007) | 9 Sep 2007 | 4.2 mi | TS / TD | 43 kt |
| Bonnie (2004) | 13 Aug 2004 | 20.5 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Alex (2004) | 3 Aug 2004 | 45.3 mi | Cat 2 | 85 kt |
| Isabel (2003) | 18 Sep 2003 | 25.4 mi | Cat 2 | 85 kt |
| Kyle (2002) | 12 Oct 2002 | 14.3 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Allison (2001) | 15 Jun 2001 | 42.5 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Floyd (1999) | 16 Sep 1999 | 41.5 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Dennis (1999) | 4 Sep 1999 | 45.0 mi | TS / TD | 53 kt |
| Bonnie (1998) | 27 Aug 1998 | 14.3 mi | TS / TD | 62 kt |
| Arthur (1996) | 20 Jun 1996 | 25.7 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Charley (1986) | 17 Aug 1986 | 2.7 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Kate (1985) | 23 Nov 1985 | 49.0 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Gloria (1985) | 27 Sep 1985 | 34.4 mi | Cat 2 | 90 kt |
| Diana (1984) | 14 Sep 1984 | 9.9 mi | TS / TD | 49 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1982) | 19 Jun 1982 | 11.4 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Dennis (1981) | 20 Aug 1981 | 21.5 mi | TS / TD | 58 kt |
| Bob (1979) | 15 Jul 1979 | 5.8 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Agnes (1972) | 21 Jun 1972 | 16.7 mi | TS / TD | 43 kt |
| Doria (1971) | 27 Aug 1971 | 30.9 mi | TS / TD | 55 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1970) | 17 Aug 1970 | 14.9 mi | TS / TD | 53 kt |
| Gladys (1968) | 20 Oct 1968 | 47.0 mi | Cat 1 | 72 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1968) | 10 Sep 1968 | 48.7 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Abby (1968) | 13 Jun 1968 | 8.4 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Doria (1967) | 17 Sep 1967 | 4.6 mi | TS / TD | 38 kt |
| Cleo (1964) | 1 Sep 1964 | 49.2 mi | TS / TD | 38 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1964) | 24 Jul 1964 | 44.4 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1963) | 3 Jun 1963 | 19.6 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Alma (1962) | 28 Aug 1962 | 47.2 mi | TS / TD | 63 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1962) | 30 Jun 1962 | 8.7 mi | TS / TD | 55 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1961) | 14 Sep 1961 | 41.1 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Donna (1960) | 12 Sep 1960 | 13.6 mi | Cat 2 | 85 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1959) | 2 Aug 1959 | 33.1 mi | TS / TD | 32 kt |
| Ione (1955) | 19 Sep 1955 | 26.6 mi | Cat 1 | 72 kt |
| Connie (1955) | 12 Aug 1955 | 15.8 mi | Cat 1 | 82 kt |
| Carol (1954) | 31 Aug 1954 | 49.5 mi | Cat 3 | 97 kt |
| Barbara (1953) | 14 Aug 1953 | 3.1 mi | Cat 1 | 75 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1946) | 6 Jul 1946 | 8.7 mi | TS / TD | 45 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1945) | 26 Jun 1945 | 12.5 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1937) | 31 Jul 1937 | 45.0 mi | TS / TD | 58 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1934) | 3 Sep 1934 | 18.1 mi | TS / TD | 38 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1933) | 16 Sep 1933 | 44.9 mi | Cat 2 | 90 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1933) | 23 Aug 1933 | 41.2 mi | Cat 1 | 80 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1918) | 25 Aug 1918 | 2.7 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1910) | 20 Oct 1910 | 38.1 mi | TS / TD | 52 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1908) | 1 Sep 1908 | 16.0 mi | TS / TD | 45 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1908) | 31 Jul 1908 | 21.9 mi | TS / TD | 62 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1908) | 29 May 1908 | 34.4 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1901) | 18 Sep 1901 | 42.1 mi | TS / TD | 38 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1901) | 11 Jul 1901 | 8.7 mi | TS / TD | 55 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1899) | 18 Aug 1899 | 14.6 mi | Cat 3 | 96 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1897) | 26 Oct 1897 | 30.4 mi | TS / TD | 48 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1897) | 20 Oct 1897 | 39.6 mi | TS / TD | 55 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1897) | 23 Sep 1897 | 28.2 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1894) | 28 Sep 1894 | 1.3 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1893) | 23 Oct 1893 | 34.4 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1893) | 4 Oct 1893 | 8.7 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1893) | 17 Jun 1893 | 41.6 mi | TS / TD | 52 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1888) | 11 Oct 1888 | 22.5 mi | TS / TD | 52 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1885) | 26 Aug 1885 | 5.8 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1882) | 23 Sep 1882 | 36.9 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1880) | 9 Sep 1880 | 12.2 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1879) | 18 Aug 1879 | 10.3 mi | Cat 3 | 97 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1863) | 18 Sep 1863 | 33.1 mi | TS / TD | 54 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1861) | 2 Nov 1861 | 7.5 mi | Cat 1 | 68 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1861) | 7 Oct 1861 | 48.7 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1861) | 27 Sep 1861 | 45.3 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1857) | 13 Sep 1857 | 20.5 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1856) | 1 Sep 1856 | 12.1 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1856) | 19 Aug 1856 | 15.2 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1852) | 11 Oct 1852 | 10.1 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1851) | 25 Aug 1851 | 48.7 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
A further 24 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. Showing the 9 most recent.
| Storm | Status | Closest approach | Distance | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fay (2020) | Remnant low | 9 Jul 2020 | 46.5 mi | 37 kt |
| Julia (2016) | Post-tropical | 20 Sep 2016 | 5.5 mi | 25 kt |
| Claudette (2015) | Remnant low | 12 Jul 2015 | 42.5 mi | 25 kt |
| Beryl (2012) | Remnant low | 30 May 2012 | 30.5 mi | 43 kt |
| Barry (2007) | Post-tropical | 4 Jun 2007 | 11.4 mi | 40 kt |
| Alberto (2006) | Post-tropical | 14 Jun 2006 | 41.0 mi | 37 kt |
| Josephine (1996) | Post-tropical | 8 Oct 1996 | 26.4 mi | 45 kt |
| Allison (1995) | Post-tropical | 6 Jun 1995 | 6.4 mi | 40 kt |
| Dora (1964) | Post-tropical | 13 Sep 1964 | 15.8 mi | 60 kt |
Storms that came back
4 named storms in this record passed Hyde County, North Carolina more than once.
- Bonnie — 3 passes (1998, 2004, 2016)
- Arthur — 2 passes (1996, 2014)
- Dennis — 2 passes (1981, 1999)
- Doria — 2 passes (1967, 1971)
How Hyde 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, Hyde County, North Carolina ranks #11 — more exposed than 99.5% of them. Within North Carolina it ranks #4 of 100, against a state average of 37.9 storms per county.
Notable storms
- Cat 3 Unnamed Storm (1899) passed 15 miles away on 18 August 1899 as a hurricane, reaching 105 kt (121 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 3 Unnamed Storm (1879) passed 10 miles away on 18 August 1879 as a hurricane, reaching 98 kt (113 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 3 Carol (1954) passed 49 miles away on 31 August 1954 as a hurricane, reaching 96 kt (110 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 2 Isabel (2003) passed 25 miles away on 18 September 2003 as a hurricane, reaching 90 kt (104 mph) while within 50 miles.
68 of the 78 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 2.2 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 78 storms spread over the 175 years from 1851 to 2025. 15 separate years saw more than one storm pass within 50 miles while stretches of a decade or more have passed with none. The longest recorded quiet stretch was 16 years, between 1863 and 1879. It has been 4 years since the last one; 9 of the 56 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
How many hurricanes have hit Hyde County, North Carolina?
25 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Hyde County, North Carolina at hurricane strength since 1851. Counting all tropical cyclones — including tropical storms and depressions — the total is 78.
When was the last hurricane in Hyde County, North Carolina?
Dorian (2019), on 6 September 2019, passing 33 miles away — 7 years ago. The most recent tropical cyclone of any strength was Claudette (2021) in 2021.
What was the strongest storm to affect Hyde County, North Carolina?
Unnamed Storm (1899), which reached 105 kt (121 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 15 miles.
How often do hurricanes hit Hyde County, North Carolina?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 2.2 years — 78 storms over the 175 years from 1851 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby counties
Hyde County, North Carolina borders or sits close to 6 other counties with a published storm record. Carteret County, North Carolina has 85 on record.