National Weather ServiceNorth CarolinaFlash Flood WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Flash Flood Warnings in North Carolina
The National Weather Service issued 144 flash flood warnings for North Carolina in 2025 and 131 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 12th most of any state. 2026 through September: 94, 21% below the average of 119 for those months in 2008-2025. Wake was covered most often (180 times since 2008).
How many flash flood warnings does North Carolina get?
Every flash flood warning that covered part of North Carolina. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 94 |
| 2025 | 144 |
| 2024 | 272 |
| 2023 | 106 |
| 2022 | 86 |
| 2021 | 92 |
| 2020 | 183 |
| 2019 | 88 |
| 2018 | 245 |
| 2017 | 57 |
| 2016 | 123 |
| 2015 | 98 |
| 2014 | 71 |
| 2013 | 137 |
| 2012 | 96 |
| 2011 | 120 |
| 2010 | 173 |
| 2009 | 119 |
| 2008 | 141 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does North Carolina get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in North Carolina?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake | 180 | 50 | July 29, 2026 |
| Guilford | 156 | 35 | September 18, 2026 |
| Wilkes | 139 | 28 | August 11, 2026 |
| Mecklenburg | 120 | 15 | July 7, 2026 |
| Ashe | 115 | 23 | August 3, 2026 |
| Durham | 110 | 34 | July 29, 2026 |
| Watauga | 100 | 12 | August 3, 2026 |
| Cumberland | 99 | 24 | August 21, 2026 |
| Forsyth | 98 | 13 | July 23, 2026 |
| Surry | 98 | 24 | August 23, 2026 |
| Randolph | 95 | 18 | September 18, 2026 |
| Johnston | 94 | 22 | July 29, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest flash flood warnings for North Carolina in AreaZine's record
NWS RaleighWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Edgecombe, Halifax and Nash, NC
Expired 11:15 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS WakefieldWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Northampton, Greensville, Southampton and 1 more, NC and VA
Expired 10:15 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS WakefieldWarningSeptember 21, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Bertie, NC
Expired 9:45 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2026
NWS RaleighWarningSeptember 18, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Davidson, Guilford and Randolph, NC
Expired 6:15 p.m. EDT, September 18, 2026
NWS Greenville-SpartanburgWarningSeptember 7, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: McDowell and Rutherford, NC
Expired 9:15 a.m. EDT, September 7, 2026
NWS WilmingtonWarningSeptember 6, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Brunswick and New Hanover, NC
Expired 8:45 p.m. EDT, September 6, 2026
NWS Newport/Morehead CityWarningSeptember 5, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Carteret, NC
Expired 9:45 p.m. EDT, September 5, 2026
NWS Newport/Morehead CityWarningSeptember 5, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Craven, NC
Expired 8:15 p.m. EDT, September 5, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a flash flood warning?
A flash flood warning means flash flooding is happening or about to happen: water rising fast in streams, streets or dry washes, usually within six hours of heavy rain or a dam or levee failure. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in North Carolina.