Harnett County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot North Carolina Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Harnett County is about the same as North Carolina average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Harnett County is higher than North Carolina average and is about the same as the national average.
Earthquake Index, #72
| Harnett County | 0.01 |
| North Carolina | 0.18 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Harnett County | 0.0000 |
| North Carolina | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #23
| Harnett County | 142.19 |
| North Carolina | 115.21 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 13,741 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Harnett County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 3 | Cold: | 45 | Dense Fog: | 13 | Drought: | 91 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 1,346 | Hail: | 4,278 | Heat: | 24 | Heavy Snow: | 194 |
| High Surf: | 2 | Hurricane: | 13 | Ice Storm: | 52 | Landslide: | 3 | Strong Wind: | 157 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 6,583 | Tropical Storm: | 15 | Wildfire: | 4 | Winter Storm: | 111 | Winter Weather: | 187 |
| Other: | 620 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Harnett County.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Harnett County.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Harnett County.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 52 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Harnett County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 8.6 | 1971-01-05 | 2 | 35°15'N / 78°55'W | 1.50 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Harnett | |
| 11.5 | 1956-04-06 | 2 | 35°30'N / 79°04'W | 35°33'N / 78°49'W | 14.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lee |
| 12.4 | 1966-11-02 | 2 | 35°30'N / 78°44'W | 35°31'N / 78°44'W | 1.10 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Harnett |
| 12.6 | 1982-06-16 | 2 | 35°32'N / 78°49'W | 35°33'N / 78°47'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Harnett |
| 14.9 | 1982-06-16 | 2 | 35°33'N / 78°47'W | 35°35'N / 78°45'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Wake |
| 15.0 | 1992-11-23 | 3 | 35°28'N / 78°41'W | 35°28'N / 78°35'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Harnett |
| 17.5 | 1971-02-22 | 3 | 35°05'N / 78°55'W | 35°10'N / 78°39'W | 16.10 Miles | 500 Yards | 2 | 60 | 2.5M | 0 | Cumberland |
| 18.5 | 1963-09-29 | 2 | 35°06'N / 79°06'W | 35°09'N / 78°55'W | 11.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cumberland |
| 20.7 | 1996-09-16 | 2 | 35°15'N / 78°32'W | 35°15'N / 78°32'W | 1.40 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0 | Sampson |
| Brief Description: The tornado first touched down about 5 miles southwest of the community of Spivey. A tin roof on a farm house was peeled back and two chimneys were toppled. Two farm sheds were destroyed on the same property. The tornado crossed Williams Lake Road where a mobile home was destroyed and its remains strewn 100 yards to the northeast across an open field and into a wooded area. The storm continued northeast and destroyed four turkey houses and a wooded area was reduced to splinters. The storm continued moving northeast, crossed Ottis Tew Road and struck a wooden house. A large portion of the roof was deposited on the east side of the home. Another portion of the roof was deposited in a tree on the northeast side of the house. Splintered pieces of wood from the house and tree branches were driven into the ground. Windows on the south side of the house were broken. The southeast corner of the home had indentations caused by flying debris. Trees in the yard were twisted, uprooted and stripped of their limbs. Tin from the turkey houses and out buildings was wrapped around trees. | |||||||||||
| 24.0 | 1981-02-11 | 2 | 35°00'N / 79°04'W | 35°04'N / 78°54'W | 10.50 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cumberland |
| 25.6 | 1986-05-19 | 2 | 34°59'N / 79°00'W | 35°03'N / 79°02'W | 6.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Cumberland |
| 27.4 | 1981-02-11 | 2 | 35°12'N / 79°23'W | 35°15'N / 79°16'W | 7.60 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Moore |
| 28.4 | 1981-02-11 | 2 | 34°59'N / 79°05'W | 35°00'N / 79°04'W | 1.90 Miles | 847 Yards | 1 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hoke |
| 30.7 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 34°55'N / 78°55'W | 34°56'N / 78°53'W | 2.00 Miles | 2640 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Cumberland |
| 31.4 | 1966-11-02 | 2 | 35°31'N / 78°44'W | 36°00'N / 78°26'W | 37.40 Miles | 77 Yards | 0 | 9 | 250K | 0 | Wake |
| 32.7 | 1984-03-28 | 3 | 34°52'N / 78°48'W | 34°58'N / 78°36'W | 11.00 Miles | 1407 Yards | 2 | 11 | 25.0M | 0 | Cumberland |
| 32.8 | 1992-11-23 | 3 | 35°28'N / 78°35'W | 35°38'N / 78°05'W | 31.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 12 | 2.5M | 0 | Johnston |
| 33.2 | 1952-04-05 | 2 | 35°48'N / 78°53'W | 35°54'N / 78°53'W | 6.90 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Wake |
| 33.4 | 1986-05-19 | 2 | 34°52'N / 79°13'W | 34°59'N / 79°00'W | 13.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Hoke |
| 33.9 | 1965-10-07 | 2 | 35°39'N / 79°24'W | 35°41'N / 79°18'W | 6.10 Miles | 27 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Chatham |
| 33.9 | 2009-03-27 | 2 | 34°52'N / 78°58'W | 34°54'N / 78°57'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 35K | 0K | Robeson |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A National Weather Service Storm Survey confirmed an EF-2 Tornado touched down about 3 miles east of Parkton, North Carolina. The tornado first touched down along W Parkton Tobermory Road, halfway between Highway 301 and Interstate 95, with no significant damage. The tornado tracked north-northeast and intensified to EF-2 with winds to 130 mph as it impacted structures along E Everette Road. One mobile home was completely destroyed and an adult female was thrown by the tornado. The woman suffered minor injuries. Also at this location, the tornado destroyed a two story home that was empty at the time. The tornado continued to track to the north-northeast and eventually lifted across a wooded area. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A stationary boundary was located from GSB to POB southward through the Piedmont of South Carolina at mid-afternoon. A short-wave across the Georgia-South Carolina border was lifting northward across the area during the afternoon. Instability was marginal. Winds were virtually unidirectional, but there was modest speed shear through the lowest 3 kft. | |||||||||||
| 34.2 | 1984-03-28 | 3 | 34°58'N / 78°36'W | 35°10'N / 78°11'W | 25.00 Miles | 1407 Yards | 10 | 90 | 25.0M | 0 | Sampson |
| 34.6 | 1956-03-18 | 2 | 35°52'N / 78°48'W | 0.30 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Wake | |
| 34.7 | 1957-04-08 | 4 | 34°50'N / 78°56'W | 34°55'N / 78°35'W | 20.70 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 8 | 250K | 0 | Cumberland |
| 35.4 | 1957-04-08 | 4 | 34°55'N / 78°35'W | 34°57'N / 78°30'W | 5.60 Miles | 150 Yards | 4 | 32 | 250K | 0 | Sampson |
| 35.4 | 1981-02-11 | 2 | 35°47'N / 78°30'W | 1.90 Miles | 800 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Wake | |
| 35.7 | 1963-09-29 | 2 | 34°28'N / 79°06'W | 35°16'N / 78°20'W | 70.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Robeson |
| 35.9 | 1984-03-28 | 3 | 34°50'N / 78°52'W | 34°52'N / 78°48'W | 4.00 Miles | 1407 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Bladen |
| 35.9 | 1991-03-29 | 2 | 35°42'N / 79°28'W | 35°52'N / 79°03'W | 25.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Chatham |
| 36.4 | 1991-03-29 | 2 | 35°52'N / 79°03'W | 35°53'N / 79°03'W | 1.00 Mile | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Orange |
| 37.8 | 1969-04-18 | 3 | 34°57'N / 78°30'W | 35°07'N / 78°11'W | 21.30 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Sampson |
| 38.1 | 1981-02-11 | 2 | 35°05'N / 79°30'W | 35°08'N / 79°26'W | 5.20 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Moore |
| 40.0 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 34°45'N / 79°22'W | 34°55'N / 78°55'W | 25.00 Miles | 2640 Yards | 2 | 280 | 2.5M | 0 | Robeson |
| 40.8 | 1988-11-28 | 4 | 35°52'N / 78°45'W | 35°58'N / 78°27'W | 20.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 2 | 105 | 250.0M | 0 | Wake |
| 42.0 | 1989-05-05 | 2 | 35°55'N / 78°58'W | 36°02'N / 78°54'W | 8.70 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Durham |
| 42.0 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 35°03'N / 78°15'W | 35°08'N / 78°10'W | 6.00 Miles | 1407 Yards | 0 | 50 | 25.0M | 0 | Sampson |
| 42.2 | 1957-04-08 | 4 | 34°45'N / 79°18'W | 34°50'N / 78°56'W | 21.60 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 6 | 250K | 0 | Robeson |
| 42.3 | 1971-02-22 | 3 | 35°10'N / 78°39'W | 35°42'N / 77°36'W | 69.60 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Sampson |
| 42.5 | 1976-06-02 | 2 | 35°07'N / 78°11'W | 0.30 Mile | 13 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Duplin | |
| 43.0 | 1969-04-18 | 3 | 34°40'N / 79°30'W | 34°58'N / 78°57'W | 37.40 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Scotland |
| 43.6 | 1960-09-11 | 2 | 34°55'N / 78°20'W | 1.00 Mile | 37 Yards | 0 | 8 | 25K | 0 | Sampson | |
| 43.8 | 1969-04-18 | 3 | 35°07'N / 78°11'W | 35°09'N / 78°07'W | 4.50 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Duplin |
| 44.7 | 1984-04-04 | 2 | 36°01'N / 78°53'W | 1.70 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Durham | |
| 45.0 | 1984-03-28 | 4 | 35°08'N / 78°10'W | 35°11'N / 78°04'W | 7.00 Miles | 1407 Yards | 0 | 40 | 25.0M | 0 | Duplin |
| 45.3 | 1999-04-15 | 2 | 34°43'N / 78°47'W | 34°43'N / 78°47'W | 0.10 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 5 | 200K | 0 | Bladen |
| 45.7 | 2008-11-15 | 2 | 35°34'N / 78°06'W | 35°35'N / 78°06'W | 1.00 Mile | 150 Yards | 1 | 2 | 500K | 200K | Johnston |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado initially touched down around just north of Piney Grove Church Road, and damage was limited to minor tree and structural damage. The tornado then tracked northeast, over bare fields and stands of mature trees for approximately three quarters of a mile, twisting off mature trees, before producing significant damage at the intersection of NC Hwy 222 and Crumpler Road. The strongest evidence of EF-2 damage was at this intersection, where a well-constructed single level brick home was destroyed. The entire roof was blown off this home, a large pine tree fell through the kitchen. All of the walls on the west side of the house were missing. In addition, one vehicle was flipped upside down and another, with an attached trailer, was moved approximately 30 feet down the home???s driveway. The family of 4 was awakened as the damage occurred, but by great fortune, none sustained any injury. As the tornado crossed Scott Road, a double-wide mobile home was removed from its foundation and flipped approximately 50 feet. A 61 year old female occupant of this mobile home was killed, while her husband was transported to a medical facility. In addition, three other double-wide mobile homes were condemned as they sustained significant structural damage to roofs and southwest-facing exterior walls. A pickup truck was completely overturned in one of the driveways. Continuing northeast, the tornado moved across the Kenly International Airport. The tornado was likely aloft at this point, producing EF-1 damage to trees, but there was considerable debris from the homes on Scott Road strewn about the airport grounds. A portion of an open aircraft hangar constructed of sheet tin over a wooden frame was twisted and destroyed. There was also some damage to the Cessna 150 housed in this hangar. The tornado then crossed into southwest Wilson county causing damage to several mobile homes along Fabwhitley Road. Several other homes in the Lucama area suffered minor damage from the strong winds. The tornado finally lifted off the ground just north of Newsom Mill Road near a local racetrack. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Two mini-supercells tracked northeast along a warm front during the early morning hours of the 15th. The two supercells spawned several tornadoes in Samspon, Johnston, and Wilson counties, two of which resulted in two fatalities. | |||||||||||
| 47.6 | 2008-11-15 | 2 | 35°35'N / 78°06'W | 35°37'N / 78°03'W | 3.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Wilson |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado initially touched down around just north of Piney Grove Church Road, and damage was limited to minor tree and structural damage. The tornado then tracked northeast, over bare fields and stands of mature trees for approximately three quarters of a mile, twisting off mature trees, before producing significant damage at the intersection of NC Hwy 222 and Crumpler Road. The strongest evidence of EF-2 damage was at this intersection, where a well-constructed single level brick home was destroyed. The entire roof was blown off this home, a large pine tree fell through the kitchen. All of the walls on the west side of the house were missing. In addition, one vehicle was flipped upside down and another, with an attached trailer, was moved approximately 30 feet down the home???s driveway. The family of 4 was awakened as the damage occurred, but by great fortune, none sustained any injury. As the tornado crossed Scott Road, a double-wide mobile home was removed from its foundation and flipped approximately 50 feet. A 61 year old female occupant of this mobile home was killed, while her husband was transported to a medical facility. In addition, three other double-wide mobile homes were condemned as they sustained significant structural damage to roofs and southwest-facing exterior walls. A pickup truck was completely overturned in one of the driveways. Continuing northeast, the tornado moved across the Kenly International Airport. The tornado was likely aloft at this point, producing EF-1 damage to trees, but there was considerable debris from the homes on Scott Road strewn about the airport grounds. A portion of an open aircraft hangar constructed of sheet tin over a wooden frame was twisted and destroyed. There was also some damage to the Cessna 150 housed in this hangar. The tornado then crossed into southwest Wilson county causing damage to several mobile homes along Fabwhitley Road. Several other homes in the Lucama area suffered minor damage from the strong winds. The tornado finally lifted off the ground just north of Newsom Mill Road near a local racetrack. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Two mini-supercells tracked northeast along a warm front during the early morning hours of the 15th. The two supercells spawned several tornadoes in Samspon, Johnston, and Wilson counties, two of which resulted in two fatalities. | |||||||||||
| 47.7 | 1954-08-17 | 2 | 35°47'N / 79°33'W | 2.10 Miles | 110 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Randolph | |
| 49.1 | 1996-04-15 | 2 | 35°53'N / 78°16'W | 35°53'N / 78°16'W | 2.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 5 | 1.0M | 0 | Franklin |
| Brief Description: The storm moved into Franklin county and destroyed a cement block building 1 mile SW of the community of Pilot. The storm then crossed over Hwy 64 where numerous trees were twisted and downed. Several outbuildings were also destroyed. The storm then entered Pilot where the damage path reached 250 yards across. A frame house was rotated, lifted off its foundation, and moved 30 feet. Cars were thrown into a local farm pond along with other debris. As the tornado left Pilot and approached HWY 39, the tornado reached it greatest width of nearly 400 yards. Damage was evident at every home in its path. The storm then weakened before it moved into Nash county. | |||||||||||
| 49.3 | 1976-10-09 | 2 | 34°46'N / 79°26'W | 34°50'N / 79°22'W | 6.10 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Scotland |
| 49.3 | 2009-05-05 | 2 | 35°40'N / 78°06'W | 35°42'N / 78°04'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 1.5M | 0K | Wilson |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: At the intersection of North Carolina highway 581 and North Carolina Highway 42 at Buckhorn Crossroads and EF-0 tornado touched down at 3:44 EST and tracked off to the northeast. At Buckhorn Crossroads several trees were snapped off and shingles blown off a house. As the tornado moved to the northeast it tracked into a wooded area and began to intensive. It emerged from the wooded area just to the southwest of the intersection of Sadie Road and Rock Ridge School Road, into the Rock Ridge area, at 4:50 PM and had strengthen to an EF-2. At that time, peak winds were estimated at 120 to 135 mph with a path width of 100 yards. The first home that was damage to the southwest of the aforementioned intersection was a well built brick home that sustained roof and some structural damage. The carport attached to this house was destroyed as well. The tornado continued to track to the northeast uprooting and snapping off numerous hardwood trees, before crossing Sadie Road, just south of Rock Ridge School Road. In this area, the tornado caused significant roof and structural damage to two well built homes. Two garages where destroyed as well, one attached and one external. Other homes in the area sustained damage and downed trees as well. In all, eight house in the Rock Ridge area received some damage and downed trees. The tornado then crossed Rock Ridge School Road and continued to track off to the northeast into a field and eventually a wooded area where the tornado lifted. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Two tornadic supercells developed along a stalled warm front that extended across souther piedmont and coastal plain of North Carolina. The cells produced 4 tornadoes in Johnston, Nash and Wilson counties. | |||||||||||
| 49.6 | 1999-04-15 | 2 | 34°41'N / 79°08'W | 34°41'N / 79°08'W | 0.30 Mile | 25 Yards | 1 | 4 | 200K | 0 | Robeson |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.