VORTEX
TORNADO HISTORY
← All Cities

Henderson, NC Tornado History — 39 Tornadoes Since 1950

North Carolina · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Henderson, NC had?

Henderson has had 39 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 strong to violent (EF3+) tornado.

When was the most recent tornado near Henderson?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Henderson was an EF1 on September 27, 2024.

When is tornado season in Henderson?

May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Henderson, with 12 on record. April through June account for 16 of the 39 tornadoes on record near Henderson.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
39
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
1
2.6% of total
Peak Month
May
12 on record
Per Year Avg
0.5
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Henderson

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 14 total, averaging 0.7 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 0
2024 5
2023 0
2022 0
2021 0
2020 1
2019 0
2018 1
2017 2
2016 2
2015 0
2014 0
2013 1
2012 0
2011 0
2010 2
2009 0
2008 0
2007 0

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 4
1960s 3
1970s 1
1980s 4
1990s 8
2000s 5
2010s 8
2020s 6

Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating

F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.

EF0 15
EF1 15
EF2 8
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 2
Mar 4
Apr 1
May 12
Jun 3
Jul 0
Aug 4
Sep 4
Oct 6
Nov 3
Dec 0

Casualties on Record Near Henderson

4 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Henderson since 1950, across 1 event. 168 injuries have been reported across all events. 1988 was the deadliest year on record near Henderson.

The deadliest single event was an F4 on November 28, 1988, which caused 4 fatalities along a 83.0-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Henderson

Deadliest Tornado
F4 on November 28, 1988 — 4 fatalities, 83.0 mi path, 400 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F4 on November 28, 1988 — est. ~$275.0M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F4 on November 28, 1988 — 400 yards wide.
Longest Path
F4 on November 28, 1988 — 83.0 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on September 27, 2024.

What the record shows near Henderson

The 1990s were the busiest decade near Henderson, with 8 of the 39 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 6 so far. The Henderson record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Henderson, 30 reached EF0 or EF1 and 9 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Henderson is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years Henderson has averaged 0.7 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 14 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 5, and 13 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Henderson, NC had?
Since 1950, 39 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Henderson. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Henderson?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Henderson was an F4 on November 28, 1988, which caused 4 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Henderson?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Henderson, with 12 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
Has Henderson been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Henderson, there has been 0 EF5 and 1 EF4 tornado recorded since 1950. EF4 and EF5 tornadoes are the most destructive ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds above 166 mph.
When was the most recent tornado near Henderson?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Henderson was an EF1 on September 27, 2024.
How do I get tornado warnings for Henderson?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

More Cities in North Carolina