North Carolina is often struck by severe thunderstorms involving strong winds and large hail. According to the National Weather Service, thunderstorms are considered severe if the hail stones are at least 1 inch in diameter or if the winds reach a speed of 58 mph or faster. From 2000 to 2010, North Carolina was hit with more than 6,000 severe thunderstorms involving raging winds or massive hail stones. These storms have resulted in numerous injuries, fatalities and more than $13 million in costs to cover damages.
During the spring and summer, North Carolina often gets struck with severe lightning storms. In an average year North Carolina endures about 500,000 lightning strikes, or about nine to 12 strikes per square mile. Between 2000 and 2009 North Carolina ranked fifth in the United States for lightning fatalities, averaging about 58 deaths every year, not including the fatalities caused by cardiac arrest during the massive storms that go unreported each year.
Tornadoes touch down in North Carolina during all seasons of the year; however, the highest number of tornadoes develop in the spring seasons of March, April and May, with the most fatalities typically occurring in March. Late-season tornadoes can also be devastating; November has the second-highest rate of fatalities caused by tornadoes in North Carolina. The wind speeds of these tornadoes range from 30 mph to more than 200 mph. In 2009, almost 24 tornadoes struck North Carolina, eight of which were violently strong and had winds of more than 130 mph, thus being classified as EF2 or higher. In 2008 and 2009, tornadoes in North Carolina resulted in more than $28 million worth of damages by tearing down buildings, destroying homes and displacing entire families. Because at night most people are sleeping, vulnerable and unable to prepare, tornadoes that occur at night can be especially devastating. In 2009 North Carolina was ranked first in the nation regarding the greatest percentage of people killed by nighttime tornadoes. Since 1950, 82 percent of tornado fatalities in North Carolina occurred at night.
In the United States, storms that bring flooding cause more fatalities than any other type of severe weather, and North Carolina also suffers from severe flood storms. The two most significant factors that contribute to the development of floods are the intensity and volume of the rainfall and the length of time rain falls on a given area. In North Carolina, many rapid flash floods are caused by slow-drifting rain storms that linger over one area for a long time, thunderstorms that repeatedly hit a certain area or extensive rain storms that cause rivers and creeks to flood over large areas.
Hurricanes can render enormous amounts of damage and devastation to cities by destroying bridges, tearing down buildings and displacing homes with powerful winds and heavy rainfall. North Carolina borders the Atlantic Ocean and is susceptible to hurricanes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, North Carolina ranked fourth among the states for most hurricane direct hits from 1851 to 2009 with 46. Between 1993 and 2005 nine hurricanes made landfall in North Carolina. Although these hurricanes varied in strength, most of the storms were large, intense and destructive enough to earn categories 3, 4 and 5 rankings. North Carolina endures many tropical storms and hurricanes that make landfall in nearby areas and then move into the state. Between the years 1990 and 2009, 29 hurricanes and tropical storms landed in nearby states and then passed through North Carolina.