Hickory, NC Tornado History — 80 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Hickory, NC had?
Hickory has had 80 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 2 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Hickory?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Hickory was an EF1 on May 8, 2024.
When is tornado season in Hickory?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Hickory, with 21 on record. April through June account for 30 of the 80 tornadoes on record near Hickory.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Hickory
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 35 total, averaging 1.8 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Hickory since December 29, 2025
This is a preliminary report, not confirmed tornadoes. It has not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and is not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
*** 1 INJ *** An EF-1 tornado touched down near Casar... North Carolina. The first evidence of damage was observed along Parker Road near Jesse Mountain Road... where s (GSP)
Within 25 miles of Hickory. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
Tornadoes by Decade
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.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Hickory
5 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Hickory since 1950, across 2 events. 95 injuries have been reported across all events. 1989 was the deadliest year on record near Hickory.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which caused 4 fatalities along a 14.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Hickory
What the record shows near Hickory
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Hickory, with 24 of the 80 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 6 so far. The Hickory record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Hickory, 64 reached EF0 or EF1 and 16 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Hickory is rated EF4, of which 2 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Hickory has averaged 1.8 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 35 in total. 2017 was the busiest of them with 9, and 8 of those years passed with none at all.