McDowell County, North Carolina Tropical Cyclone History
Since 1949, 10 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of McDowell County, North Carolina — about one every 7.7 years. Of those, 0 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Zeta (2020), which passed 34 miles away on 29 October 2020.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
Key facts
- Most recentZeta (2020) — 34 mi away, 29 October 2020
- Strongest stormHugo (1989) — 60 kt (69 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordAbby (1968) — 2.4 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)None on record
- Passes within 25 miles5 of 10
- Peak monthSeptember — 4 storms (40% of all)
- Most active year1949 — 1 storms
- Most active decade1980s and 2000s — 2 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi0
- Record span1949–2020
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeta (2020) | 29 Oct 2020 | 34.1 mi | TS / TD | 45 kt |
| Florence (2018) | 17 Sep 2018 | 19.8 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Ivan (2004) | 17 Sep 2004 | 38.5 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Bill (2003) | 2 Jul 2003 | 43.8 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Beryl (1994) | 17 Aug 1994 | 23.1 mi | TS / TD | 15 kt |
| Hugo (1989) | 22 Sep 1989 | 24.6 mi | TS / TD | 55 kt |
| Danny (1985) | 18 Aug 1985 | 8.6 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Abby (1968) | 9 Jun 1968 | 2.4 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Gracie (1959) | 30 Sep 1959 | 29.1 mi | TS / TD | 37 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1949) | 28 Aug 1949 | 35.9 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
A further 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cindy (2005) | Post-tropical | 7 Jul 2005 | 15.0 mi | 20 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1911) | Post-tropical | 31 Aug 1911 | 10.6 mi | 25 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1907) | Post-tropical | 23 Sep 1907 | 24.1 mi | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1902) | Post-tropical | 11 Oct 1902 | 19.5 mi | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1901) | Post-tropical | 28 Sep 1901 | 25.1 mi | 33 kt |
How McDowell 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, McDowell County, North Carolina ranks #1,262 — more exposed than 42.8% of them. Within North Carolina it ranks #97 of 100, against a state average of 37.9 storms per county.
Notable storms
- TS / TD Hugo (1989) passed 25 miles away on 22 September 1989 as a tropical storm, reaching 60 kt (69 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Unnamed Storm (1949) passed 36 miles away on 28 August 1949 as a tropical storm, reaching 50 kt (58 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Zeta (2020) passed 34 miles away on 29 October 2020 as a tropical storm, reaching 45 kt (52 mph) while within 50 miles.
- TS / TD Gracie (1959) passed 29 miles away on 30 September 1959 as a tropical storm, reaching 41 kt (47 mph) while within 50 miles.
10 of the 10 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 7.7 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 10 storms spread over the 77 years from 1949 to 2025. 0 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 17 years, between 1968 and 1985. It has been 5 years since the last one; 5 of the 9 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
Has a hurricane ever hit McDowell County, North Carolina?
No. No tropical cyclone on record has passed within 50 miles of McDowell County, North Carolina while at hurricane strength. 10 tropical cyclones have passed within that distance since 1949, all of them as tropical storms or depressions. The strongest was Hugo (1989).
When was the last tropical cyclone in McDowell County, North Carolina?
Zeta (2020), on 29 October 2020, passing 34 miles away — 6 years ago. No storm on record has passed within 50 miles of McDowell County, North Carolina at hurricane strength.
What was the strongest storm to affect McDowell County, North Carolina?
Hugo (1989), which reached 60 kt (69 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 25 miles.
How often does a tropical storm reach McDowell County, North Carolina?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 7.7 years — 10 storms over the 77 years from 1949 to 2025, the end of the HURDAT2 record. That is a historical average, not a schedule or a forecast.
Nearby counties
McDowell County, North Carolina borders or sits close to 6 other counties with a published storm record. Rutherford County, North Carolina has 16 on record.