Raleigh, N.C. — The National Weather Service has confirmed the occurrence of multiple tornadoes in North Carolina, leading to damages across several counties and contributing to the statewide emergencies caused by a significant storm. Among the confirmed tornadoes, two were classified as EF-1, striking in Vance and Durham counties.
In Durham County, an EF-1 tornado reached wind speeds of up to 95 mph, causing structural damages along Camp Butner Road and Range Road, northeast of Hampton. This included uprooted trees and damage to several structures. Similarly, in Vance County, another EF-1 tornado with wind speeds reaching 105 mph impacted areas near Technology Lane and Poplar Creek Road, east of Oxford. This tornado crossed Interstate 85 and caused additional damage at the Vance and Granville Community College campus.
Additionally, the region was hit by an EF-3 tornado in Rocky Mount that resulted in 15 injuries and severe damage to 14 buildings. Another EF-1 tornado in Sampson County saw winds of 95 mph and traveled over three miles, resulting in snapped trees and downed power poles near Garland.
The storm system, which previously wreaked havoc in Florida, continued its path into North Carolina, causing widespread impact. This included at least three fatalities related to the storm in North Carolina, contributing to a larger tally of at least 44 deaths across the South. In Charlotte, one of the fatalities occurred when a tree fell onto a man’s home, claiming his life. Two other deaths were reported due to a vehicular accident in Catawba County and another incident in Yadkin County where a tree fell on a vehicle.
The storm also resulted in significant infrastructural damages, with numerous reports of fallen trees and power outages affecting residents across various counties. For instance, in Raleigh, a tree was reported to have fallen on an apartment complex, while in Morrisville, another tree fell on a home. Meanwhile, emergency services were called to Fuquay-Varina for a rescue operation after a person was trapped in a bedroom due to a fallen tree, though there were no injuries reported.
Produced by heavy rainfall, the storm led to swelling in water bodies, notably Crabtree Creek in Raleigh. Such occurrences intensified concerns about flooding, particularly in western North Carolina. In response, officials in Haywood County issued evacuation orders for several areas prone to flooding, emphasizing the immediate danger posed by rising floodwaters.
Authorities stressed the dire nature of flooding, urging residents to seek higher ground and avoid traveling through submerged roads. This came alongside widespread power outages and disruptions, painting a grim picture of the storm’s extensive impact.