Wake Forest, NC Tornado History — 65 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Wake Forest, NC had?
Wake Forest has had 65 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 2 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Wake Forest?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Wake Forest was an EF1 on September 27, 2024.
When is tornado season in Wake Forest?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Wake Forest, with 16 on record. April through June account for 30 of the 65 tornadoes on record near Wake Forest.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Wake Forest
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 23 total, averaging 1.1 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Wake Forest since December 29, 2025
These are 4 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Approximate starting point of confirmed EF-1 tornado. A tornado touched down southwest of Louisburg... NC and moved to the northeast before crossing NC-56 just west of (RAH)
Approximate end of tornado path. The tornado occurred along a 3.2 mile-long discontinuous path... as it momentarily touched down and lifted several times before finally (RAH)
EF-1 tornado confirmed. Touched down in the Stone Ridge neighborhood... with a discontinuous path of tree and structural damage northward into the Neuse Crossing neighb (RAH)
(RAH)
Within 25 miles of Wake Forest. 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 Wake Forest
11 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Wake Forest since 1950, across 3 events. 311 injuries have been reported across all events. 2011 was the deadliest year on record near Wake Forest.
The deadliest single event was an EF3 on April 16, 2011, which caused 6 fatalities along a 65.2-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Wake Forest
What the record shows near Wake Forest
The 1990s were the busiest decade near Wake Forest, with 12 of the 65 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 8 so far. The Wake Forest record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Wake Forest, 50 reached EF0 or EF1 and 15 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Wake Forest is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Wake Forest has averaged 1.1 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 23 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 5, and 6 of those years passed with none at all.