Lee County, NC Environment & Hazard Risk

• HurricaneRelatively Moderate$2.7M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 6 years
• TornadoRelatively Moderate$3.2M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 9 years
• Ice stormRelatively Moderate$346K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.8 events a year
• LightningRelatively Moderate$513K/yr expected annual loss, about 52 events a year
• Heat waveRelatively Low$765K/yr expected annual loss, about 6.6 events a year
• EarthquakeRelatively Low$606K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 791 years
• HailRelatively Low$293K/yr expected annual loss, about 4.2 events a year
• WildfireVery Low$46.2K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1,856 years
• DroughtRelatively Low$137K/yr expected annual loss, about 15 events a year
• Winter weatherRelatively Low$50.6K/yr expected annual loss, about 5.2 events a year
• Strong windRelatively Low$314K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.4 events a year
• Cold waveRelatively Low$494K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2 years
• LandslideVery Low$173/yr expected annual loss, about once every 7 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

126 of 24,097 (0.5%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

248

Insured in high-risk zones

71 (29%)

Flood claims since 1978

63

Claims paid since 1978

$1.1M

• Thunderstorm Wind133
• Hail47
• Winter Storm28 · 1 death
• Flash Flood25
• Winter Weather19
• Strong Wind12
• Excessive Heat5
• Tornado5 · 2 deaths
• Flood4
• Ice Storm4

• TornadoEF3, 19.13 mi path, 500 yd wide04/16/2011

  White Hill, Lee County

  2 deaths, 36 injured, $57M damage

  What happened

  The tornado exited Moore County and proceeded to strengthen to an EF1 as it moved into Lee County along Wildlife Road. The tornado blew a single wide trailer off its foundation, while also damaging the home home next door. The tornado continued to intensify to EF3 intensity along Lemon Springs Road striking the St. Andrews Subdivision. One fatality occurred when a tree fell onto a vehicle along Lemon Springs Road, crushing the driver. Numerous homes were completely destroyed and several two story homes had their upper floors removed. Wind speeds were estimated at 140 mph with a path length of over one quarter mile. Additional homes were blown off their foundations on Cemetery Drive. The tornado continued to produce major damage as it moved east along Cameron drive. The upper floor was blown off of two apartment buildings. The tornado then entered an industrial complex along Industrial Drive, where multiple steel constructed retail buildings were destroyed, in addition to 3 large warehouses at the static control facility. Winds In this area likely exceeded 160 mph. The tornado then destroyed the Tractor Supply Company, Big Lots and the Lowes Home Improvement Store along highway...

• Flood09/17/2018

  Lemon Spgs, Lee County

  $25.4M damage

  What happened

  Torrential rainfall of 10 to 15 inches caused widespread flash flooding across the county. Additional heavy rainfall upstream caused moderate flooding along the Deep River near Moncure. Flooding damaged approximately 210 structures throughout the county, destroying 13 and resulting in over $5.4 million in property damage and over $20 million in crop damage. Numerous streets and roads were reported flooded.

• Lightning07/19/2017

  Jonesboro, Lee County

  1 death

  What happened

  A 39 year old male was struck and killed by a lightning strike while taking cover from the storm under a tree in Sanford, North Carolina.

• Winter Storm12/26/2010

  Lee

  1 death

  What happened

  Four to six inches of snow fell countywide with the heaviest amounts recorded along and east of Highway 1 including Sanford. Many roads were impassible due to the heavy snow. A seven year old boy was killed while playing in the road as a car slid on the snow and ice striking the child south of Sanford.

• Winter Weather12/16/2010

  Lee

  3 injured

  What happened

  A prolonged period of light snow and freezing rain in the morning resulted a half inch of snow with a tenth of an inch of freezing rain. This combination created hazardous driving conditions during the morning commute. Three people were injured as the result of car accidents near Sanford.

• TornadoEF1, 1 mi path, 150 yd wide07/06/2025

  Rosser, Lee County

  $2M damage

  What happened

  An EF-1 tornado touched down at the Raleigh Executive Jetport 7.5 miles northeast of Sanford in Lee County, North Carolina. Several hangers had damage to wall panels and doors. Several aircraft were damaged. Minor damage to the taxiway occurred. The tornado briefly lifted before touching back down near its end point, and resulted in minor damage to several mobile homes and several trees that were snapped and uprooted.

• Sanford, City ofServes 48,350 · Surface water · Local government1 health violation+3 monitoring or reporting
• Carolina Trace Water SystemServes 4,516 · Purchased surface water · Private2 health violations
• Broadway, Town ofServes 1,783 · Purchased surface water · Local government1 health violation+1 monitoring or reporting
• Quail Ridge Water SystemServes 465 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations
• Pine Village Mhc LLCServes 411 · Groundwater · Private1 health violation+5 monitoring or reporting
• Farm Water WorksServes 167 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+11 monitoring or reporting