New Bern, NC Tornado History — 82 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has New Bern, NC had?
New Bern has had 82 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 strong to violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near New Bern?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of New Bern was an EF1 on January 10, 2024.
When is tornado season in New Bern?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near New Bern, with 23 on record. April through June account for 38 of the 82 tornadoes on record near New Bern.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near New Bern
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 28 total, averaging 1.4 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near New Bern since December 29, 2025
These are 3 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Preliminary survey found evidence of an EF 1 tornado in Pamlico County near Whortonsville... with estimated peak winds of 90 to 100 mph. (MHX)
Preliminary survey found evidence of an EF 1 tornado in Craven County near Fairfield Harbour... with estimated peak winds of 90 to 100 mph. (MHX)
Tornado survey found evidence of an EF 1 tornado in Onslow County near Maysville... with estimated peak winds of 90 mph. (MHX)
Within 25 miles of New Bern. 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 New Bern
2 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of New Bern since 1950, across 1 event. 179 injuries have been reported across all events. 1965 was the deadliest year on record near New Bern.
The deadliest single event was an F3 on March 17, 1965, which caused 2 fatalities along a 41.3-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near New Bern
What the record shows near New Bern
The 2000s were the busiest decade near New Bern, with 24 of the 82 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 9 so far. The New Bern record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near New Bern, 71 reached EF0 or EF1 and 10 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near New Bern is rated EF3, of which 1 is logged. A further 1 near New Bern is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years New Bern has averaged 1.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 28 in total. 2008 was the busiest of them with 4, and 9 of those years passed with none at all.