UPDATED: JULY 10, 2023 | 3 MIN READ
North Carolina’s hurricane season runs from June to November. The Tar Heel State sees tropical storms most in August, September, and October.
North Carolina is the fourth worst state for hurricanes in the United States. The Atlantic Ocean brings hurricane season to North Carolina from June 1st to November 30th. The most at-risk place is the Tar Heel State from August to October.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an above-average season in 2022. North Carolina residents must have the proper home insurance coverage before hurricane season.
What month does North Carolina have the most hurricanes?
North Carolina has the most hurricanes between August to October. Since 1851, there have been 301 hurricanes that have made landfall, and 58 of them were in North Carolina. Hurricane Florence was the last major hurricane to affect the Tar Heel State in 2018.
NOAA’s forecast for the 2022 hurricane season:
- Around 14 to 21 named storms
- About six to 10 of those are hurricanes
- About three to six major storms – Category 3, 4, or 5 with wind speeds of 111 mph or higher
Where do hurricanes hit the most in North Carolina?
All North Carolina areas have been affected by tropical storms in the last 20 years. Cities and towns on the Atlantic coastline are the most at risk. Places like Cape Hatteras, Raleigh, the Outer Banks, and the North Carolina coast are at risk for storm damage.
Hurricane Florence devastated Wrightsville Beach in 2018; before that, Hurricane Matthew caused severe flooding in Robeson, Cumberland, Edgecombe, and Wayne counties in 2016.
Common types of hurricane damage
Storm surges become hurricanes causing heavy rain and flooding, which results in extensive damage, and repairs to the home. If you’re in the path of the storm, there’s likely wind damage to your home and structural damage to your siding and roof.
Atlantic hurricane season often causes high winds and flash flooding, which has cost billions of dollars of damage in the past.
How to Prepare For Hurricane Season in North Carolina
Hurricane activity is expected in the State of North Carolina, so residents must have hurricane preparedness before hurricane season. These are a few steps to keep your home and family safe.
Before the storm
- Purchase flood insurance
- Update your homeowners insurance policy with the right wind coverage
- Create an emergency kit
- Fuel up your vehicles
- Know your evacuation routes
- Secure your property
- Follow weather reports every hour
During the storm
- Follow National Weather Service alerts
- Close storm shutters
- Turn off water, gas, and power if authorities inform you to
- Turn off propane tanks
- Leave your home if government officials instruct you to
- If you’re unable to leave home, stay inside and away from windows and doors
- Take shelter in a windowless room, hallway, or bathroom
After the storm
- If you need shelter, text SHELTER = your zip code to 43362 for FEMA to find refuge in the NC state.
- Stay updated on local alerts
- Stay away from loose or downed power lines
- Don’t drive through flooded or washed-out roads
- Take pictures of the damage
- Make temporary emergency repairs and save receipts
- File a claim with your insurance company.
How to Prepare Your Home For Hurricane Season
The most important part of preparing your home for tropical systems is to have a hurricane preparation checklist. There are things you must do to prepare your home in advance.
Make a list of your property
Making a home checklist is essential before a tropical storm. If you have a list of personal items, it helps get your insurance settlements quicker. Be sure to take pictures and videos, and describe the things you have on your list. Put them and important insurance papers in waterproof containers or a safety deposit box.
Secure any loose items on the exterior of your home
Loose or hanging items cause damage to your home during a tropical storm. Taking patio furniture, wind chimes, and birth baths inside is best, so you don’t permanently lose them. If possible, secure any loose items on the exterior of your home.
Check your insurance policy
Check to make sure you have proper homeowners insurance to protect your home. You might need additional policies for flood and wind damage.
Find out if your home is at risk of flooding
Your local building inspection department has copies of Flood Insurance Rate Maps that show the properties subject to a 100-year storm frequency.
Have a working generator
Hurricane season sometimes brings power outages, so it’s useful to have a working generator on hand to help power your refrigerator. Generators should be in an open space away from your home, such as a shed or garage.
FAQs
What month do most hurricanes hit NC?
Hurricanes in North Carolina hit most often in August, September, and October.
What time of year do hurricanes hit North Carolina?
Tropical cyclones typically show up for North Carolinians in summer and fall.
Does North Carolina have hurricane season?
Yes, North Carolina hurricane season starts in June and ends in November.
How often do hurricanes hit North Carolina?
According to NOAA, the North Carolina coast has a direct hit from Category 3, or stronger tropical storms, every 14 to 22 years.
What is the average number of hurricanes that hit North Carolina each year?
A tropical cyclone makes landfall along the coastline once every four years. An estimated 17.5% of all North Atlantic tropical cyclones affect North Carolina.
What are some warning signs of a coming hurricane?
Three simple signs of a hurricane are heavy rainfall, ocean swells, and increasing wind speed.
What is the hurricane season in North Carolina?
Yes, North Carolina hurricane season starts on June 1st and ends on November 30th.
What are the chances of a hurricane hitting NC in 2022?
NOAA forecasts a 65% chance that hurricane season will be active in North Carolina in 2022. It’s predicted that the activity will be above average this year, with a 35% chance of near-normal activity and a 10% chance of below-normal tropical cyclone numbers.
How many hurricanes have hit North Carolina this year?
There have been no hurricanes hitting North Carolina this year. The last storm that hit six years ago was named Hurricane Matthew.
What is the time of year that a hurricane is most likely to hit North Carolina?
The time of year that a hurricane is most likely to hit Noth Carolina is between August to October.
Is hurricane season in North Carolina the same as in the rest of the United States?
Typically hurricane season happens the same in North Carolina as in the rest of the United States.
What kind of hurricanes are most common in North Carolina?
Two of the most recent hurricanes in North Carolina were Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018. Both hurricanes had subsided to Category 1 level winds by the time they reached North Carolina.
Does renters insurance protect my personal belongings during a hurricane?
Renters insurance in North Carolina can help protect you from losing personal items during damage caused by a hurricane. This type of insurance will help cover the costs to repair or replace you insured belongings.
How to Purchase Homeowners Insurance
Purchasing cheap homeowners insurance through a reputable home insurance company is simple and easy. Ensuring you have the right coverage in case a hurricane happens is essential. We hope this article has helped you understand your options.
If you’re ready to get insurance quotes for your home, it’s as simple as comparing rates as amounts vary by company. We have a helpful tool to find the best home insurance.
