Copy of Unforgiving Nature: A Chronicle of the 20 Worst Natural Disasters in the Triangle

The Research Triangle region, encompassing Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex and surrounding areas, has been witness to a series of natural disasters that have left an indelible mark on its history. From hurricanes and floods to tornadoes and winter storms, the Triangle has faced the formidable forces of nature.Here is a recount 20 of the worst natural disasters that have shaped the resilience of this vibrant North Carolina community.

Hurricane Hazel, which hit North Carolina in 1954, was the only Category 4 storm to ever make landfall in the state. While the Triangle wasn't the primary target, the storm brought heavy rainfall and high winds, causing widespread flooding and destruction.

The Carolinas Outbreak of March 28, 1984, was one of the deadliest, most destructive tornado outbreaks in the history of the two Carolinas. It is referred to as the Red Springs Tornado.

The final count shows 24 individual tornadoes touched down: 11 in North Carolina, 11 in South Carolina, and 2 in Georgia. The human impact included 57 fatalities, (42 in North Carolina, 15 in South Carolina, none in Georgia) and 1,248 injuries (799 in North Carolina, 448 in South Carolina, and 1 in Georgia).

Tornadoes ripped through Cumberland, Lenoir, Nash, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson and Wayne counties. They ranged from F2, F3 and F4 on the Fujita Scale.

In March 1988, a series of tornadoes swept through North Carolina, affecting the Triangle.

The tornado remained on the ground for more than 80 miles, leaving destruction in several counties, including Wake, Franklin and Nash. The most intense damage occurred over northwestern Raleigh where the tornado traveled through densely populated areas near major intersections.

Four people were killed and more than 150 others were hurt.

This day in history: Deadly EF-4 tornado rips through Raleigh, killing 4

Hurricane Fran, a Category 3 hurricane, struck North Carolina in September 1996. The Triangle experienced severe flooding, power outages, and extensive property damage, making it one of the most devastating hurricanes in the region's history.

What distinguished Fran was the amount of damage done to areas well inland. Hurricane Hugo also did measurable damage to the Charlotte region in 1989. Not since Hurricane Hazel in 1954 had a hurricane done this amount of bad in the Capital City.

“One of lessons we learned, you don’t have to live down at the coast to get slammed by a hurricane,” said hurricane historian Jay Barnes. “Even though the forecast track had projected that it was going to be turning more inland, I think a lot of people didn’t quite put two and two together to understand the Triangle area was going to get hit as hard as it did.”

Outside the WRAL Studios on Western Boulevard, a peak wind gust of 71 miles per hour was reached. The basement flooded. Jim Payne and Debra Morgan were reporting live in the breezeway outside the station, trying to stand up to the wind.

An emergency room doctor stopped at the station after finding his wife and 3-month-old in a flooded-out home. With the chaos going on, the only thing the staff could really focus on was informing the public.

But with electricity knocked out for so many, most couldn’t even turn their television on. The WRAL News broadcast was simulcast on MIX 101.5, allowing some to keep up through a battery-powered radio or car stereo.

January 25, 2000, brought the Great Blizzard to the Triangle, burying the region in heavy snowfall and causing widespread disruptions. This record-breaking storm, often dubbed the Raleigh Snowmageddon or Raleigh Snowpocalypse, lasted an entire day, leaving behind an awe-inspiring accumulation of 20.3 inches of snow. The city transformed into a winter wonderland, with piles of snow lingering for weeks and power outages challenging residents in the aftermath.The uncharacteristic winter storm tested the community's preparedness for extreme weather conditions.

Raleigh's snowfall chronicles: Unveiling the history of record-breaking winter storms

Hurricane Floyd struck North Carolina on Sept. 16, 1999, just 10 days after Tropical Storm Dennis dumped 6 to 16 inches of rain across the eastern part of the state.

The ground was already saturated when Floyd dumped another 12 to 20 inches of rain. Rivers overflowed their banks and floodwaters began to cover roads and inundate entire communities.

Floyd killed 52 people in North Carolina – most of whom drowned as they tried to flee to higher ground in their cars. More than 87,000 people registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The floods destroyed about 8,000 homes and damaged more about 67,000. About 12,000 businesses were damaged.

The flooding caused about $6 billion in property damage and halted agricultural production in eastern North Carolina, causing more than $1 billion in farm losses. The floods killed nearly 3 million chickens and turkeys and more than 30,000 hogs.

Floyd Brings Rain, Flooding to North Carolina; High Winds Head East

An ice storm in December 2002 coated the Triangle in a layer of ice, leading to treacherous road conditions, power outages, and damage to trees and infrastructure. The event highlighted the dangers posed by winter weather in a region unaccustomed to such conditions.

While not a direct hit, Hurricane Isabel's impacts were felt in the Triangle in September 2003. The storm brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, causing power outages and localized flooding.

During the late-night and early-morning hours of Nov. 14, 2008, and Nov. 15, 2008, there were seven tornadoes.

The tornadoes killed two people and damaged homes as it moved north from Robeson County to Halifax County.

The worst-hit area appeared to be Kenly on the Johnston-Wilson county line.

The strongest tornado was an EF3.

Tornadoes rip across eastern N.C., two dead

April 16, 2011, 30 tornadoes touched down in North Carolina for the greatest one-day total on record for the state.

Twenty-four North Carolinians lost their lives that day, including eight people in the WRAL viewing area and hundreds more were injured. At the Stony Brook North Mobile Home Park in Raleigh, 27 homes were destroyed and four children died.

Winter Storm Jonas blanketed the Triangle in snow and ice in January 2016, causing school and business closures, transportation disruptions and challenges in managing the winter weather.

Hurricane Matthew generated devastating flooding across central and eastern North Carolina in October 2016 after the storm brushed past the coastline on Oct. 8, 2016. The hurricane dumped more than a foot of rain 100 miles inland, swelling streams and rivers to levels above what Hurricane Floyd produced in 1999.

A tornado outbreak in April 2018 affected parts of North Carolina, including the Triangle. The event served as a reminder of the need for ongoing tornado preparedness and awareness in the community.

Hurricane Florence, a slow-moving Category 1 hurricane, inundated the Triangle with heavy rainfall in September 2018, causing significant river flooding and disruptions.

Aftermath: North Carolina hurricane victims still feel left behind years later

Winter Storm Diego brought snow and ice to the Triangle in December 2018, leading to power outages, transportation issues, and challenges in navigating the wintry conditions.

In April 2020, a tornado outbreak affected parts of North Carolina, including the Triangle. While the region wasn't the epicenter, the event emphasized the need for ongoing tornado preparedness and response measures.

Although not a direct hit, Hurricane Dorian's impacts were felt in the Triangle in September 2019, with strong winds and heavy rain causing localized disruptions.

Winter Ice Storm (2021):

Winter Ice Storm in February 2021 brought extreme cold temperatures and snow to the Triangle, causing widespread power outages and water supply issues.

Some in NC without power for days after weekend ice storm

Tropical Storm Fred, while weakened, brought heavy rainfall to the Triangle in August 2021, resulting in localized flooding and transportation disruptions.

A destructive EF-3 tornado hit North Carolina on July 19, 2023, north of Rocky Mount.

The EF3 tornado caused the area's largest employer, Pfizer, to shut down its plant in Rocky Mount until further notice. Pfizer employed more than 3,200 workers at its Rocky Mount plant.

Count down the most destructive hurricanes in NC history

The Triangle's history is marked by a diverse array of natural disasters, each contributing to the region's ability to adapt, prepare, and recover. As the community continues to face the challenges posed by Mother Nature, these events serve as reminders of the importance of ongoing preparedness, resilient infrastructure and community solidarity in the face of the unpredictable forces of the natural world.

Worst NC tornadoes: In-depth look at NC tornado history