Pamlico County, North Carolina Hurricane History
Since 1851, 76 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Pamlico County, North Carolina — about one every 2.3 years. Of those, 27 were at hurricane strength at their closest approach. The most recent was Ophelia (2023), which passed 25 miles away on 23 September 2023.
Storm tracks within 50 miles
How strong they get
Key facts
- Most recentOphelia (2023) — 25 mi away, 23 September 2023
- Strongest stormHelene (1958) — 115 kt (132 mph) at its strongest within 50 miles
- Closest pass on recordIone (1955) — 2.2 miles
- Closest major hurricane (Cat 3+)Unnamed Storm (1879) — 13.7 miles
- Passes within 25 miles50 of 76
- Peak monthSeptember — 29 storms (38% of all)
- Most active year1856 — 2 storms
- Most active decade1960s and 2000s — 8 storms
- Major hurricanes (Cat 3+) within 50 mi3
- Record span1851–2023
When storms arrive
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 17 | 29 | 10 | 2 | 0 |
Activity by decade
| 1850s | 1860s | 1870s | 1880s | 1890s | 1900s | 1910s | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 2 |
Every tropical or subtropical cyclone within 50 miles
| Storm | Closest approach | Distance | Status | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ophelia (2023) | 23 Sep 2023 | 24.8 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Claudette (2021) | 21 Jun 2021 | 49.7 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Dorian (2019) | 6 Sep 2019 | 41.4 mi | Cat 2 | 87 kt |
| Matthew (2016) | 9 Oct 2016 | 47.5 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Hermine (2016) | 3 Sep 2016 | 4.0 mi | TS / TD | 57 kt |
| Arthur (2014) | 4 Jul 2014 | 22.8 mi | Cat 2 | 85 kt |
| Irene (2011) | 27 Aug 2011 | 12.6 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Gabrielle (2007) | 9 Sep 2007 | 20.5 mi | TS / TD | 48 kt |
| Ophelia (2005) | 15 Sep 2005 | 49.3 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Charley (2004) | 14 Aug 2004 | 41.0 mi | TS / TD | 53 kt |
| Bonnie (2004) | 13 Aug 2004 | 14.3 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Isabel (2003) | 18 Sep 2003 | 15.3 mi | Cat 2 | 85 kt |
| Kyle (2002) | 12 Oct 2002 | 10.8 mi | TS / TD | 37 kt |
| Arthur (2002) | 14 Jul 2002 | 49.0 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Allison (2001) | 15 Jun 2001 | 16.5 mi | TS / TD | 25 kt |
| Floyd (1999) | 16 Sep 1999 | 24.9 mi | Cat 1 | 73 kt |
| Dennis (1999) | 5 Sep 1999 | 12.7 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Bonnie (1998) | 27 Aug 1998 | 8.2 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Bertha (1996) | 13 Jul 1996 | 48.0 mi | Cat 1 | 64 kt |
| Arthur (1996) | 20 Jun 1996 | 32.7 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Charley (1986) | 17 Aug 1986 | 19.1 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Kate (1985) | 23 Nov 1985 | 40.6 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Diana (1984) | 14 Sep 1984 | 17.9 mi | TS / TD | 47 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1982) | 19 Jun 1982 | 21.4 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Dennis (1981) | 20 Aug 1981 | 19.5 mi | TS / TD | 57 kt |
| Bob (1979) | 15 Jul 1979 | 23.0 mi | TS / TD | 20 kt |
| Agnes (1972) | 21 Jun 1972 | 24.4 mi | TS / TD | 42 kt |
| Ginger (1971) | 30 Sep 1971 | 36.1 mi | TS / TD | 61 kt |
| Doria (1971) | 27 Aug 1971 | 6.5 mi | TS / TD | 55 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1970) | 17 Aug 1970 | 20.7 mi | TS / TD | 51 kt |
| Abby (1968) | 13 Jun 1968 | 5.2 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Doria (1967) | 17 Sep 1967 | 23.5 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Isbell (1964) | 16 Oct 1964 | 23.9 mi | TS / TD | 55 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1964) | 23 Jul 1964 | 46.9 mi | TS / TD | 22 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1963) | 3 Jun 1963 | 49.0 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1961) | 14 Sep 1961 | 24.8 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Donna (1960) | 12 Sep 1960 | 3.8 mi | Cat 2 | 85 kt |
| Brenda (1960) | 30 Jul 1960 | 46.7 mi | TS / TD | 53 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1959) | 2 Aug 1959 | 13.8 mi | TS / TD | 30 kt |
| Helene (1958) | 27 Sep 1958 | 48.5 mi | Cat 4 | 116 kt |
| Ione (1955) | 19 Sep 1955 | 2.2 mi | Cat 1 | 80 kt |
| Connie (1955) | 12 Aug 1955 | 9.7 mi | Cat 2 | 83 kt |
| Barbara (1953) | 14 Aug 1953 | 32.1 mi | Cat 1 | 78 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1946) | 6 Jul 1946 | 7.5 mi | TS / TD | 45 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1945) | 26 Jun 1945 | 22.5 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1934) | 3 Sep 1934 | 18.2 mi | TS / TD | 38 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1918) | 25 Aug 1918 | 9.9 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1913) | 3 Sep 1913 | 27.4 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1910) | 20 Oct 1910 | 34.4 mi | TS / TD | 53 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1908) | 1 Sep 1908 | 23.0 mi | TS / TD | 45 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1908) | 31 Jul 1908 | 19.8 mi | Cat 1 | 67 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1901) | 18 Sep 1901 | 44.4 mi | TS / TD | 37 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1901) | 11 Jul 1901 | 11.7 mi | TS / TD | 47 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1899) | 18 Aug 1899 | 47.6 mi | Cat 3 | 99 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1897) | 23 Sep 1897 | 35.6 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1894) | 10 Oct 1894 | 40.5 mi | TS / TD | 61 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1894) | 28 Sep 1894 | 15.3 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1893) | 4 Oct 1893 | 10.5 mi | TS / TD | 35 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1893) | 17 Jun 1893 | 34.5 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1888) | 11 Oct 1888 | 11.4 mi | TS / TD | 53 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1885) | 26 Aug 1885 | 6.6 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1882) | 23 Sep 1882 | 15.2 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1881) | 10 Sep 1881 | 44.1 mi | TS / TD | 58 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1880) | 9 Sep 1880 | 12.7 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1879) | 18 Aug 1879 | 13.7 mi | Cat 3 | 98 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1878) | 23 Oct 1878 | 22.9 mi | Cat 2 | 90 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1876) | 17 Sep 1876 | 44.5 mi | Cat 1 | 75 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1872) | 25 Oct 1872 | 41.1 mi | TS / TD | 45 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1863) | 18 Sep 1863 | 11.0 mi | TS / TD | 56 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1861) | 2 Nov 1861 | 18.3 mi | Cat 1 | 70 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1861) | 27 Sep 1861 | 24.8 mi | TS / TD | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1857) | 13 Sep 1857 | 8.4 mi | Cat 1 | 65 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1856) | 1 Sep 1856 | 4.9 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1856) | 19 Aug 1856 | 11.3 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1852) | 11 Oct 1852 | 9.4 mi | TS / TD | 50 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1851) | 25 Aug 1851 | 47.7 mi | TS / TD | 40 kt |
Post-tropical and extratropical passes
A further 22 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julia (2016) | Post-tropical | 20 Sep 2016 | 28.1 mi | 25 kt |
| Beryl (2012) | Remnant low | 30 May 2012 | 27.4 mi | 42 kt |
| Barry (2007) | Post-tropical | 3 Jun 2007 | 16.9 mi | 40 kt |
| Alberto (2006) | Post-tropical | 14 Jun 2006 | 41.9 mi | 37 kt |
| Josephine (1996) | Post-tropical | 8 Oct 1996 | 22.8 mi | 45 kt |
| Allison (1995) | Post-tropical | 6 Jun 1995 | 6.2 mi | 40 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1965) | Post-tropical | 16 Jun 1965 | 45.6 mi | 38 kt |
| Dora (1964) | Post-tropical | 13 Sep 1964 | 15.8 mi | 60 kt |
| Unnamed Storm (1925) | Post-tropical | 2 Dec 1925 | 13.1 mi | 62 kt |
Storms that came back
6 named storms in this record passed Pamlico County, North Carolina more than once.
- Arthur — 3 passes (1996, 2002, 2014)
- Bonnie — 2 passes (1998, 2004)
- Charley — 2 passes (1986, 2004)
- Dennis — 2 passes (1981, 1999)
- Doria — 2 passes (1967, 1971)
- Ophelia — 2 passes (2005, 2023)
How Pamlico 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, Pamlico County, North Carolina ranks #14 — more exposed than 99.4% of them. Within North Carolina it ranks #6 of 100, against a state average of 37.9 storms per county.
Notable storms
- Cat 4 Helene (1958) passed 49 miles away on 27 September 1958 as a hurricane, reaching 115 kt (132 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 3 Unnamed Storm (1899) passed 48 miles away on 18 August 1899 as a hurricane, reaching 105 kt (121 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 3 Unnamed Storm (1879) passed 14 miles away on 18 August 1879 as a hurricane, reaching 100 kt (115 mph) while within 50 miles.
- Cat 2 Ione (1955) passed 2 miles away on 19 September 1955 as a hurricane, reaching 91 kt (105 mph) while within 50 miles.
66 of the 76 storms made a documented landfall somewhere along their track.
How often to expect a storm
A return interval of 2.3 years does not mean storms arrive on a schedule. It is simply 76 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 1918 and 1934. It has been 2 years since the last one; 21 of the 60 gaps in this record were longer than that.
Common questions
How many hurricanes have hit Pamlico County, North Carolina?
27 tropical cyclones have passed within 50 miles of Pamlico County, North Carolina at hurricane strength since 1851. Counting all tropical cyclones — including tropical storms and depressions — the total is 76.
When was the last hurricane in Pamlico County, North Carolina?
Dorian (2019), on 6 September 2019, passing 41 miles away — 7 years ago. The most recent tropical cyclone of any strength was Ophelia (2023) in 2023.
What was the strongest storm to affect Pamlico County, North Carolina?
Helene (1958), which reached 115 kt (132 mph) while within 50 miles; its closest approach was 49 miles.
How often do hurricanes hit Pamlico County, North Carolina?
On average, one tropical cyclone passes within 50 miles every 2.3 years — 76 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
Pamlico County, North Carolina borders or sits close to 4 other counties with a published storm record. Carteret County, North Carolina has 85 on record.