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Hurricane Risk for Jacksonville, NC

No tropical storms currently threaten the Jacksonville area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.

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On this page
  1. By the numbers
  2. Most recent hurricane
  3. Strongest ever
  4. Closest approach
  5. When hurricanes hit
  6. Recent notable storms
  7. Preparedness

Since 1851, 258 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Jacksonville. Here's what you should know.

Local note: Low-lying coastal position on the Outer Banks soundside makes storm surge and coastal flooding the dominant threat for Jacksonville — recent major impacts from Hurricanes Dorian (2019) and Idalia (2023) underline the city's exposure to powerful storms that can send large surge into estuaries and inland waterways.

By the numbers

Total storms
258
since 1851
Major (Cat 3+)
62
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
157
all categories
County
Onslow County
North Carolina

Most recent hurricane

Chantal (2025)

Passed within 94 miles of Jacksonville on July 06, 2025. Peak intensity: TS (57 mph).

Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby

Dorian (2019)

Reached Cat 5 (184 mph) at its peak. Passed within 54 miles of Jacksonville.

Closest approach ever

Ginger (1971)

Passed just 4.8 miles from Jacksonville on October 01, 1971.

When hurricanes hit Jacksonville

Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1851:

Jan
0
Feb
1
Mar
0
Apr
0
May
10
Jun
35
Jul
26
Aug
46
Sep
81
Oct
50
Nov
7
Dec
2

Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.

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Recent notable storms (last 20 years)

Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Jacksonville residents likely remember:

Storm Year Peak Closest Date
Dexter 2025 Cat 1 151 mi Aug 02, 2025
Debby 2024 Cat 1 158 mi Aug 09, 2024
Idalia 2023 Cat 4 76 mi Aug 31, 2023
Ian 2022 Cat 5 107 mi Oct 01, 2022
Elsa 2021 Cat 1 102 mi Jul 08, 2021
Isaias 2020 Cat 1 40 mi Aug 04, 2020
Eta 2020 Cat 4 134 mi Nov 13, 2020
Sally 2020 Cat 2 195 mi Sep 18, 2020
Dorian 2019 Cat 5 54 mi Sep 06, 2019
Florence 2018 Cat 4 40 mi Sep 14, 2018
Michael 2018 Cat 5 122 mi Oct 12, 2018
Chris 2018 Cat 2 164 mi Jul 08, 2018
Hermine 2016 Cat 1 19 mi Sep 03, 2016
Matthew 2016 Cat 5 59 mi Oct 09, 2016
Arthur 2014 Cat 2 49 mi Jul 04, 2014
Irene 2011 Cat 3 49 mi Aug 27, 2011
Earl 2010 Cat 4 186 mi Sep 03, 2010
Hanna 2008 Cat 1 76 mi Sep 06, 2008
Ernesto 2006 Cat 1 35 mi Sep 01, 2006

Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. Jacksonville is in Onslow County — look up your evacuation zone here.
  2. 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.
  3. Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
  4. Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
  5. Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.