Hurricane Risk for Wilmington, NC
No tropical storms currently threaten the Wilmington area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.
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Since 1851, 0 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Wilmington. Here's what you should know.
Local note: Wilmington's low-lying coastal position on the Cape Fear River estuary makes storm surge and coastal flooding the dominant hazards, with frequent hurricane strikes — notably Hurricane Isaias (2020) and the region-wrenching impacts of Hurricane Ian (2022) — producing damaging surge, wind, and inland flood impacts.
By the numbers
Total storms
0
since None
Major (Cat 3+)
0
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
0
all categories
County
New Hanover County
North Carolina
When hurricanes hit Wilmington
Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since None:
Jan
0
Feb
0
Mar
0
Apr
0
May
0
Jun
0
Jul
0
Aug
0
Sep
0
Oct
0
Nov
0
Dec
0
Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.
Prep your supplies before the storm is named
Our alerts can notify you of a storm long before it makes the news, giving you more time to get what you need — instead of joining the panic-buying public.
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- Know your zone. Wilmington is in New Hanover County — look up your evacuation zone here.
- Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
- Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
- Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
- Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.