Hail history for Craven County, NC

Craven County has 190 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 93 of them 1″ or larger and 9 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.5″ (softball) on June 9, 1988.

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 190 since 1963

1″ or larger 93 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 9 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.5″ softball · June 9, 1988

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 Craven County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 190 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 15, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 9, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 9, 2023	1.75″	Golf ball
May 9, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
May 9, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
June 12, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
May 16, 2022	1.0″	Quarter
May 16, 2022	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

May 15, 2025 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

A report of half dollar sized hail came in from social media. The time was estimated based on radar data.

July 28, 2014 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail up to baseball size reported in Havelock. Many cars damaged with cracked or broken windshields and windows. Several mobile homes had numerous windows broken with severe damage to siding. No injuries were reported.

June 12, 2006 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Hail up to baseball size caused damage to many cars.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	2	8	15	24	90	41	10

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 Craven County

Has it ever hailed in Craven County?

Yes — 190 hail events have been recorded for Craven County, NC in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1963, including 93 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Craven County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Craven County, NC is May 15, 2025, with 1.25″ (half dollar) 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 Craven County?

3.5″ (softball), recorded on June 9, 1988. 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.