Hail history for Columbus County, NC

Columbus County has 179 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 101 of them 1″ or larger and 5 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.75″ (baseball) on April 28, 2011.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 179 since 1966

1″ or larger 101 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 5 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.75″ baseball · April 28, 2011

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Columbus County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Columbus County's peak: May.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 179 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
September 25, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 1, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 1, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
June 1, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
May 8, 2024	1.75″	Golf ball
April 7, 2022	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
May 5, 2020	1.0″	Quarter

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Columbus County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

September 25, 2025 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Quarter size hail was reported along Highway 701 north of Whiteville.

April 28, 2011 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail to the size of baseballs was reported on Alfred Hayes Drive.

August 5, 1997 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

Reported by Nakina Fire Department

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	3	21	38	64	43	8

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Columbus County

Has it ever hailed in Columbus County?

Yes — 179 hail events have been recorded for Columbus County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1966, including 101 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Columbus County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Columbus County, NC is September 25, 2025, with 1.0″ (quarter) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Columbus County?

2.75″ (baseball), recorded on April 28, 2011. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More North Carolina hail history

All 100 North Carolina counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.