North Carolina, 1997

Hail and Damaging Winds in North Carolina, June 21, 1997

June 21, 1997 · NWS GSP · 10 events in 7 counties and zones

A couple of severe thunderstorms developed in the mountains in the afternoon causing large hail south of Franklin and blowing down trees between Marshall and Hot Springs. A number of trees and power lines were downed at several locations in the foothills and piedmont.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$170,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
10

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS GSP wrote it up.

A couple of severe thunderstorms developed in the mountains in the afternoon causing large hail south of Franklin and blowing down trees between Marshall and Hot Springs. A number of trees and power lines were downed at several locations in the foothills and piedmont. The most damage occurred in Hickory where numerous trees and power lines were downed. Caldwell county was hit hard. A cabinet shop and contents burned after being struck by lightning. Thunderstorm winds caused some damage, then high winds following the storm caused trees to fall in the Cajah's Mountain area. Lightning caused a fire in Buncombe county which destroyed a home.

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 86 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:15 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 thunderstorm wind, 3 hail, 2 lightning, 1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Lightning, Buncombe

When
June 21, 12:00 PM EST
Where
Buncombe County, Hominy
Property damage
$70,000
Coordinates
35.611, -82.530 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Madison

When
June 21, 1:15 PM EST
Where
Madison County, Big Pine
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates
35.780, -82.820

Hail, Macon

When
June 21, 2:08 PM EST to 2:18 PM EST
Where
Macon County, Gold Mine
Measured
1.5 in hail
Coordinates
35.100, -83.280

Lightning, Caldwell

When
June 21, 4:00 PM EST
Where
Caldwell County, Joyceton
Property damage
$100,000
Coordinates
35.953, -81.546 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Cleveland

When
June 21, 4:40 PM EST to 4:50 PM EST
Where
Cleveland County, 2 mi S of Boiling Spgs
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
35.220, -81.680

Thunderstorm Wind, Caldwell

When
June 21, 5:04 PM EST
Where
Caldwell County, Lenoir
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates
35.920, -81.550

Thunderstorm Wind, Alexander

When
June 21, 5:20 PM EST
Where
Alexander County, 2 mi SW of Stony Pt
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates
35.850, -81.080

High Wind, Caldwell

When
June 21, 5:30 PM EST
Where
Caldwell forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)

Hail, Catawba

When
June 21, 5:30 PM EST to 5:40 PM EST
Where
Catawba County, Hickory
Measured
1 in hail
Coordinates
35.730, -81.320

Thunderstorm Wind, Catawba

When
June 21, 5:30 PM EST
Where
Catawba County, Hickory
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Coordinates
35.730, -81.320

What these are

Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
High Wind
Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in North Carolina in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, June 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5603327, 5603328, 5603329, 5603330, 5603331, 5603332, 5603334, 5603333, 5603335, 5603336.