Dry and warm weather continues into the weekend, not much help for SC wildfire

As of 11am Thursday, The Governor of South Carolina issued a state of emergency with regard to the wildfire which has rapidly grown since its origin yesterday afternoon.
In a statement from South Carolina Gov. Sanford's office:
'....DOZENS OF HOMES ALREADY DESTROYED AS FIRE NOW COVERS MORE THAN 15,000 ACRES
Columbia, S.C. - April 23, 2009 - Governor Sanford today issued a State of Emergency for Horry County as a wildfire that has already consumed 15,000 acres and destroyed an estimated 70 homes continued.
The state Forestry Commission is the primary agency in charge of fighting the fire, and the state Emergency Management Division has also deployed support assets to the scene in consultation with the Governor’s Office. The state Emergency Operations Center has been activated, with assets dispatched to fight the fire including a National Guard helicopter and other personnel.
State and local officials have already evacuated 2,500 people from their homes, and may evacuate more as the fire continues to spread. Three shelters to accommodate those leaving their homes have been opened, and those shelters are currently housing approximately 250 people. ..'
Areas of southeast North Carolina , especially Brunswick county, will see areas of smoke today as the sea breeze sets up into the afternoon. The National Weather Service has a portion of their site devoted to fire weather forecasting. I'll include it here for your information ( http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ilm/fire/ ) , however, we will also have updates available on News 14 Carolina and on our website www.news14.com .

Dry conditions will persist through the rest of the work week and into the weekend as we see a more summertime weather pattern set up off of our coast. High pressure overhead will drift eastward over Bermuda , increasing our temperatures and our humidity this weekend. Combine that with upper-level ridging and we have a dry, warm pattern into next week!

This week's drought monitor map keeps central NC out of any drought and has continued to keep SW North Carolina out of the 'severe drought' category. Moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions exist in western NC, and abnormally dry conditions persist in SE North Carolina, which is not helpful with the wildfire just to the south. Drought Monitor: http://drought.unl.edu/DM/DM_state.htm?NC,SE

Monday Storm Reports

Scattered strong storms over eastern North Carolina produced hail and spotty wind damage on Monday. Here's a look at reports of severe weather in the News 14 Carolina viewing area passed along by the National Weather Service.

• 3:45pm - Nickel size hail reported west-northwest of Hillsborough in Orange County.
• 4:30pm - Penny size hail reported near Berea in Granville County.
• 4:30pm - Marble to dime size hail covering the ground in town of Clarkton in Bladen County.
• 4:31pm - Penny size hail reported near Whiteville in Columbus County
• 4:33pm - Dime to nickel size hail reported just east of Clarkton in Bladen County.
• 4:35pm - Nickel size hail reported in Bladen County.
• 4:42pm - Penny size hail reported near Webb High School near Oxford in Granville County.
• 4:48pm - Penny size hail reported at the Oxford-Henderson Airport.
• 4:52pm - One inch size hail reported along US 258 in Farmville in Pitt County.
• 4:55pm - Nickel size hail reported in Bladen County.
• 5:00pm - Quarter size hail reported at the Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant in Vance County.
• 5:10pm - Golf ball to possibly baseball sized hail reported near Oak Hill in Granville County.
• 5:10pm - Golf ball size hail near Drewery in Vance County. Hail reportedly damaged a propane tank and caused a leak.
• 5:20pm - Trees down near Exit 220 on I-85 in Vance County. Report of a tree on a car. Penny size hail also reported at the time.
• 5:23pm - Golfball size hail near Norlina on I-85 in Warren County. Report of windshield damagine to cars on I-85 at the time. Trees also reported down from wind in the same area.
• 5:32pm - Nickel size hail reported in Pender County.
• 5:44pm - Penny size hail reported near Four Oaks in Johnston County.

Slight Risk for Severe Storms Monday

The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of central and eastern North Carolina under the slight risk for severe weather on Monday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible Sunday night, but the chance for stronger storms appears a little greater for Monday.

We expect the clouds to break some during the day Monday allowing sunshine to warm temperatures into the mid 70s adding instability to the atmosphere. That instability acts as fuel for thunderstorms. While scattered showers and storms are possible during the day, the chance appears higher for stronger storms in the afternoon. The threat from these strong to severe storms will include large hail, damaging winds, and frequent lightning.

Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina and news14.com for the latest updates...

Storm Reports from Tuesday

Showers and thunderstorms rumbled across North Carolina on Tuesday. Here's a look at severe weather reports from the National Weather Service --

• 2:15pm - 0.5" size hail near Spivey's Corner in Sampson County
• 3:00pm - 0.75" or penny size hail near Biscoe in Moore County
• 3:35pm - 0.75" or penny size hail near El Dorado in Montgomery County
• 3:35pm - 1.75" or golf ball size hail near Cherry Grove in Columbus County
• 5:05pm - 0.75" or penny size hail covered the ground near Kelly in Bladen County
• 7:00pm - 1.75" or golf ball size hail covered the ground near Whiteville in Columbus County

Slight Risk for Strong to Severe Storms Tuesday

The Storm Prediction Center has placed the eastern Carolinas under a slight risk for severe weather today. As thunderstorms develop this morning, some could become strong. In the strongest storms, hail up to the size of nickels, damaging winds, and frequent lightning will be possible. There also is a small risk for an isolated tornado to develop.

Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina and Weather on the Ones for the latest updates through the day.

Storms Possible Late Friday Afternoon and Evening

Severe storms are expected over portions of the southeast this Good Friday. The greatest threat for storms will come this afternoon over northern Georgia and western South Carolina. However, those storms will move into North Carolina this afternoon bringing our area a "slight risk" for severe weather particular during the late afternoon and evening hours.

Here's the hazardous weather outlook from the Raleigh National Weather Service this morning -

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE STORMS ACROSS CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH TONIGHT.

A VIGOROUS STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE FROM KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE EASTWARD THROUGH VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA TODAY AND TONIGHT. AS THIS SYSTEM APPROACHES... WINDS WILL INCREASE FROM THE SOUTHWEST... AND GUSTS OF 30 TO 35 MPH ARE POSSIBLE. SUCH GUSTS COULD TOSS AROUND UNSECURED OBJECTS SUCH AS TRASH CANS.

A LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE WESTERN PIEDMONT LATE THIS AFTERNOON... THEN TRACK EAST THROUGH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA DURING THE EVENING AND EARLY OVERNIGHT HOURS. SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BECOME SEVERE... ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 64. THE GREATEST RISK WILL BE OVER THE SOUTHWEST COUNTIES NEAR WADESBORO... ALBEMARLE... TROY... ROCKINGHAM... AND LAURINBURG. THE PRIMARY THREATS WITH ANY STORMS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS OVER 60 MPH AND ISOLATED TORNADOES. THE MOST LIKELY TIME FOR SEVERE STORMS WILL BE BETWEEN 6 PM AND 3 AM TONIGHT.

EVERYONE IN THE AREA SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE LATEST CONDITIONS AND FORECASTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND NIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE AREA SATURDAY AFTERNOON... BUT THESE ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BECOME STRONG. HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED BETWEEN 6 PM AND 3 AM THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT. SPOTTERS SHOULD STAY TUNED AND REPORT ANY SEVERE WEATHER IMMEDIATELY TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH.

Storm Chance Late Friday Night?

We'll enjoy pleasant and mild weather Thursday afternoon into the day Friday, but storms may be brewing for Friday night. A front moving toward North Carolina may help to produce severe storms across the southeast Friday afternoon that will move east into the Carolinas Friday evening and Friday night. Those storms may not arrive in our area until the overnight hours into early Saturday morning. Right now we just expect a "slight risk" of severe weather.

Here is this morning's hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service in Raleigh:

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

A STORM SYSTEM MOVING INTO THE AREA FROM THE WEST LATE FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT WILL BRING A RISK OF STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE STORMS. AT THIS TIME... IT APPEARS THAT THE GREATESTTHREAT WITH ANY STORMS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS... AND WOULD OCCUR PRIMARILY BETWEEN 8 PM FRIDAY EVENING AND 5 AM SATURDAY MORNING.

PEOPLE IN THE AREA SHOULD MONITOR THE LATEST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY NIGHT.

Monday's Storm Damage

Above photos from the National Weather Service Office in Wilmington.

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has confirmed an EF-2 tornado touched down near Clarkton in Bladen County on Monday.

Here's the official storm report --

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
536 PM EDT MON APR 6 2009

...TORNADO CONFIRMED SOUTHEAST OF CLARKTON NC ON APRIL 6...

LOCATION...5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CLARKTON NC
ESTIMATED TIME...1040 TO 1042 AM EDT
BEGINNING LAT/LON...34.4393/-78.5929
ENDING LAT/LON...34.4490/-78.5719
EF-SCALE RATING...EF2
ESTIMATED WIND SPEED...115 MPH
PATH WIDTH...100 YARDS
PATH LENGTH...1.5 MILES
INJURIES...NONE
FATALITIES...NONE

...SUMMARY...

A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STORM SURVEY CONFIRMED AN EF2 TORNADO WITH WINDS UP TO 115 MPH ABOUT 5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CLARKTON NC. THE TORNADO INITIALLY TOUCHED DOWN ON FARMERS UNION ROAD ABOUT 0.3 MILE SOUTH OF PORTERVILLE SCHOOL ROAD. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OCCURRED TO FOUR HOMES IN THIS AREA... INCLUDING ONE WHICH WAS PUSHED APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET OFF ITS FOUNDATION. A STORAGE TRAILER WEIGHING MORE THAN 8500 LBS WAS BLOWN APPROXIMATELY 40 FT...FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN AND ROTATED 180 DEGREES. A FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK WAS BLOWN 15 FT ACROSS A YARD... AND A 12 X 12 FT STRUCTURE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. DAMAGE IN THIS AREA WAS RATED AS EF2 AS A RESULT OF WINDSPEEDS REACHING 115 MPH. THE WIDTH OF THE DAMAGE PATH IN THIS AREA WAS APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS.

THE TORNADO BRIEFLY WEAKENED AS IT TRACKED TO THE NORTHEAST. NUMEROUS 12-18 INCH DIAMETER TREETOPS WERE SNAPPED... AND A FEW TREES UP TO 18 INCHES IN DIAMETER WERE UPROOTED AS THE TORNADO APPROACHED CHANCEY RD. TWO HOMES ON CHANCEY ROAD SUFFERED EF0 DAMAGE PRIMARILY TO ROOFS AND WINDOWS. THE TORNADO CONTINUED TO THE NORTHEAST ACROSS MAINLY WOODS AND FARMLAND WHERE SPOTTY EF0 DAMAGE WAS CONFINED TO TREES.

IT STRENGTHENED ONCE AGAIN AS IT CROSSED BAER MILL DRIVE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO TWO HOMES. THE FRONT PORCH OF ONE HOME WAS DESTROYED AND ALL THE ROOF COVERING MATERIAL ON THE WINDWARD SIDE OF THE STRUCTURE WAS STRIPPED. THE WIND PENETRATED THE SECOND STORY OF THE HOME AND BLEW OUT TWO UPSTAIRS WINDOWS. NUMEROUS LARGE TREES UP TO 2 FT IN DIAMETER WERE SNAPPED OFF OR UPROOTED. ONE WOODEN STORAGE SHED WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. DAMAGE IN THIS AREA WAS RATED AS EF2 WITH WIND SPEED ESTIMATED TO BE 115 MPH. THE WIDTH OF THE DAMAGE PATH WAS APPROXIMATELY 60 YARDS AT THIS LOCATION.

THE TORNADO WEAKENED AS IT MOVED NORTHEAST FROM BAER MILL DRIVE. SPOTTY MINOR TREE DAMAGE WAS OBSERVED BETWEEN BAER MILL DRIVE AND SUSIE BALDWIN ROAD.

Here's a look at other storm damage reports in the News 14 Carolina viewing area from National Weather Service Offices around the state --

• 9:42am -- Lightning damage reported 5 miles west-northwest of Fayetteville. Emergency management report lightning split a tree and the tree struck a home and camper.
• 10:15am-- Law enforcement reported penny size hail near Princeton in Johnston County.
• 10:31am -- A trained weather spotter reported pea size hail near Pikeville in Wayne County.
• 10:37am -- Penny size hail was reported near Fremont in Wayne County.
• 10:54am -- Half inch size hail was reported near Farmville in Pitt County.

Overnight Storms?

The Storm Prediction Center has southeastern North Carolina outlined with a slight risk of severe weather Thursday into early Friday. That threat for our area will mainly come late tonight and early Friday morning in an area from Fayetteville to Goldsboro southeast to the coast. The severe weather threat is much higher across Mississippi, Alabama, and the Gulf Coast today, but a few storms that could produce damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are not out of the question late tonight in the slight risk area of southeastern North Carolina. While it is just a slight risk, the threat is dangerous since it will come overnight while most folks will be sleeping.

Here are the latest Hazardous Weather Outlooks from National Weather Service Offices in the slight risk area...

From the Raleigh NWS:

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MAINLY OVER THE SOUTHEAST PORTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA LATE THURSDAY INTO EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. THIS INCLUDES AREAS SOUTH AND EAST OF ROCKY MOUNT... FAYETTEVILLE AND LAURINBURG.

A STRONG STORM SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO MOVE NORTHEAST FROM THE MID MISSISSIPPI VALLEY INTO THE OHIO VALLEY LATE THURSDAY INTO EARLY FRIDAY. A WARM FRONT IS EXPECTED TO LIFT NORTH INTO THE CAROLINAS LATE THURSDAY... WHILE THE TRAILING COLD FRONT SWEEPS ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA EARLY FRIDAY.

AT THIS TIME...IT APPEARS THAT THE THREAT OF STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MAY BE CONFINED TO PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN AND EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA...SOUTH OF THE WARM FRONT AND AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT. ANY STORMS THAT DEVELOP WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS.

DUE TO THE POTENTIAL THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER LATE AT NIGHT...RESIDENTS IN THE AREA SHOULD STAY ABREAST OF THE THE LATEST FORECASTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OR OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS.

From the Morehead City/Newport NWS:

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA LATE TONIGHT. THE MOST LIKELY AREA FOR SEVERE STORMS WILL BE ALONG AND EAST OF THE HIGHWAY 17 CORRIDOR MAINLY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6AM. THE PRIMARY SEVERE WEATHER THREAT WILL BE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES... ALTHOUGH SMALL HAIL IS ALSO POSSIBLE.

RESIDENTS ACROSS EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF SEVERE WEATHER DURING THE LATE NIGHT HOURS AND LISTEN FOR THE LATEST UPDATES CONCERNING THIS SEVERE WEATHER THREAT.

From the Wilmington NWS:

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE LATE TONIGHT. THE PRIMARY SEVERE WEATHER RISK WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS AND POSSIBLY TORNADOES.

Threat for Storms Late Thursday - Friday

Severe weather will threaten much of the southeast Thursday. During the day, the greatest threat will exist over Mississippi and Alabama. Those states are outlined in the above forecast from the Storm Prediction Center to have a moderate risk for severe weather. A slight risk exists east of there into the Carolinas. The threat for strong storms will arrive here mainly late Thursday night into the early morning hours Friday.

Here's the latest hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service Office in Raleigh:

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

A CLOSED UPPER LOW WILL APPROACH CENTRAL NC THURSDAY NIGHT AND MOVE ACROSS THE REGION ON FRIDAY. WINDS IN THE ATMOSPHERE WILL INCREASE THURSDAY NIGHT AS WARM AND MOIST GULF AIR SPREADS NORTH INTO THE AREA. THIS WILL BRING A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS TO CENTRAL NC THURSDAY NIGHT AND INTO FRIDAY MORNING. ANY STORMS THAT DEVELOP WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES. THE GREATEST THREAT FOR SEVERE WEATHER IS EXPECTED IN LOCATIONS SOUTH OF US 64 AND EAST OF US 1.

DUE TO POSSIBLE NOCTURNAL TIMING OF THIS EVENT...NORTH CAROLINIANS ARE ADVISED TO MAINTAIN AWARENESS BY CHECKING THE LATEST FORECASTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OR OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS... ESPECIALLY BEFORE BEDTIME THURSDAY EVENING.

Storm Survey of Cumberland County Tornado from Friday

The National Weather Service Office in Raleigh has confirmed tornado touchdowns in Cumberland and Sampson Counties last Friday afternoon and evening. The strongest was an EF-1 tornado that touched down near Hope Mills. The National Weather Service's storm survey is posted below. All images posted here are courtesy of the National Weather Service Office in Raleigh.

…National Weather Service Tornado Survey in Cumberland County…

Time/Date: 513 PM - 520 PM EDT Friday March 27, 2009

Tornado:EF-1

Peak Wind: 88 mph

Path Length: 5.0 miles (from the Robeson County line northeast to near the Fayetteville Regional Airport)

Injuries: None

Fatalities: None

The National Weather Service, in conjunction with Cumberland County Emergency Management, determined that an EF-1 tornado touched down just north of the Robeson County line just southeast of Hope Mills in the Roslin community.. The tornado damage track was about 50 yards wide and stretched northeast for approximately 5 miles.

The EF-1 tornado initially touched down around 513 PM just north of the Robeson County line on Roslin Farm Road where a brick home lost more than eighty percent of its roof structure. A resident who was home at the time took shelter in the bathroom just moments before the tornado struck. Interestingly enough this was the third home to have been destroyed by a tornado at this same location since 1968 all owned by the same resident. Several sheds and outbuilding in the area were also destroyed and a neighbors house suffered minor structural damage to the garage. The tornado then tracked northeast, over bare fields before reaching Braxton Road. At Braxton Road the tornado continued with EF-1 intensity winds causing significant damage to a home which experienced around twenty percent roof loss. The house was a recently constructed well built two story home. The upstairs structure was seriously damaged and the house was condemned. Numerous sheds and fences were blown over in the area. One vehicle next door was moved nearly 50 feet from one side of the road to another. Just downwind from this home a garage sustained significant damage. Several residents in the garage were informed of the Tornado Warning when a friend called them on a cell phone all before the tornado hit. They then turned on television just moments before the tornado struck. Everyone in the garage took shelter under a billiards table. Two walls of the garage were blown out. In the same area a doublewide mobile home was blown about 5 feet off its foundation and lost nearly one hundred percent of its roof structure.

The tornado continued northeast crossing Chicken Foot Road and Corporation Drive along which several trees were snapped. The tornado crossed Interstate 95 where numerous trees were blown down and snapped near Tim Starling Road. It was just north of this intersection where a tractor trailer was overturned by the high winds. Just west of Interstate 95 near the intersection of Tim Starling Road and Research Drive a large industrial building suffered significant roof damage. The wind of the tornado caused the roof the buckle enough for the Fire Marshall to order an evacuation of the building after the storm. Rocks on the roof of the building were blown into the parking lot shattering the windows of numerous vehicles. A large generator weighing a coupe thousand pounds was blown off a tractor trailer spilling around 40 gallons of diesel fuel. A. unfinished house under construction on Tim Starling Drive was also significantly damaged. A storage warehouse in the same area sustained minor damage when one of the bay doors blew in.

The tornado continued tracking northeast along Research Road while weakening to EF-0 as it approached Claude Lee Road. Numerous trees were blown down and sheds destroyed along Catherine Drive and Arlie Drive. Several homes in the area lost shingles and suffered minor damage to trim and siding. The tornado then lifted off the ground just as it approached the Fayetteville Regional Airport.

Special thanks are extended to Cumberland County Emergency Services for assistance during this survey and for providing access to the damaged areas.

Active Weather This Week

An active weather pattern across the southeastern US will keep shower and thunderstorms chances in our forecast every couple to few days over the next week. We take a look at these rain chances including the threat for strong storms later in the week. Check out this morning's video blog posted below for the details.

NWS will investigate possible tornado damage from Saturday storm in Bladen county

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
951 PM EDT SAT MAR 28 2009

0920 PM TSTM WND DMG 4 N CLARKTON 34.55N 78.67W
03/28/2009 BLADEN NC LAW ENFORCEMENT
ONE HOUSE REPORTEDLY DAMAGED AND FOUR PEOPLE TRAPPED
UNDER A STAIRWELL ON TWISTED HICKORY RD BETWEEN BRITT RD
AND NORTH MITCHELL FORD RD. TREES AND POWER LINES ALSO
REPORTED DOWN. POSSIBLE TORNADO. FIRE AND RESCUE HAVE
BEEN DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE.

NWS Confirmation of Robeson - Cumberland county tornado

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENTNATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC1140 AM EDT SAT MAR 28 2009...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TORNADO SURVEY IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY...

TIME/DATE: 513 PM - 520 PM EDT FRIDAY MARCH 27, 2009

TORNADO:EF-1PEAK WIND: 88 MPHPATH LENGTH: 5.0 MILES (FROM THE ROBESON COUNTY LINE NORTHEAST TO NEAR THE FAYETTEVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT)


INJURIES: NONEFATALITIES: NONETHE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH CUMBERLAND COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DETERMINED THAT AN EF-1 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN JUST NORTH OF THE ROBESON COUNTY LINE JUST SOUTHEAST OF HOPE MILLS IN THE ROSLIN COMMUNITY.. THE TORNADO DAMAGE TRACK WAS ABOUT 50 YARDS WIDE AND STRETCHED NORTHEAST FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES.


THE EF-1 TORNADO INITIALLY TOUCHED DOWN AROUND 513 PM JUST NORTH OF THE ROBESON COUNTY LINE ON ROSLIN FARM ROAD WHERE A BRICK HOME LOST MORE THAN EIGHTY PERCENT OF ITS ROOF STRUCTURE. A RESIDENT WHO WAS HOME AT THE TIME TOOK SHELTER IN THE BATHROOM JUST MOMENTS BEFORE THE TORNADO STRUCK. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH THIS WAS THE THIRD HOME TO HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY A TORNADO AT THIS SAME LOCATION SINCE 1968 ALL OWNED BY THE SAME RESIDENT. SEVERAL SHEDS AND OUTBUILDINGS IN THE AREA WERE ALSO DESTROYED AND A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE SUFFERED MINOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE. THE TORNADO THEN TRACKED NORTHEAST, OVER BARE FIELDS BEFORE REACHING BRAXTON ROAD.


AT BRAXTON ROAD THE TORNADO CONTINUED WITH EF-1 INTENSITY WINDS CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO A HOME WHICH EXPERIENCED AROUND TWENTY PERCENT ROOF LOSS. THE HOUSE WAS A RECENTLY CONSTRUCTED WELL BUILT TWO STORY HOME. THE UPSTAIRS STRUCTURE WAS SERIOUSLY DAMAGED AND THE HOUSE WAS CONDEMNED. NUMEROUS SHEDS AND FENCES WERE BLOWN OVER IN THE AREA. ONE VEHICLE NEXT DOOR WAS MOVED NEARLY 50 FEET FROM ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO ANOTHER.

JUST DOWNWIND FROM THIS HOME A GARAGE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. SEVERAL RESIDENTS IN THE GARAGE WERE INFORMED OF THE TORNADO WARNING WHEN A FRIEND CALLED THEM ON A CELL PHONE BEFORE THE TORNADO HIT. THEY THEN TURNED ON TELEVISION JUST MOMENTS BEFORE THE TORNADO STRUCK. EVERYONE IN THE GARAGE TOOK SHELTER UNDER A BILLIARDS TABLE. TWO WALLS OF THE GARAGE WERE BLOWN OUT.

IN THE SAME AREA A DOUBLEWIDE MOBILE HOME WAS BLOWN ABOUT 5 FEET OFF ITS FOUNDATION AND LOST NEARLY ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF ITS ROOF STRUCTURE.

THE TORNADO CONTINUED NORTHEAST CROSSING CHICKEN FOOT ROAD AND CORPORATION DRIVE ALONG WHICH SEVERAL TREES WERE SNAPPED. THE TORNADO CROSSED INTERSTATE 95 WHERE NUMEROUS TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN AND SNAPPED NEAR TIM STARLING ROAD. IT WAS JUST NORTH OF THIS INTERSECTION WHERE A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS OVERTURNED BY THE HIGH WINDS. JUST WEST OF INTERSTATE 95 NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF TIM STARLING ROAD AND RESEARCH DRIVE A LARGE INDUSTRIAL BUILDING SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT ROOF DAMAGE.


THE TORNADO CAUSED THE ROOF TO BUCKLE ENOUGH FOR THE FIRE MARSHALL TO ORDER AN EVACUATION OF THE BUILDING AFTER THE STORM. ROCKS ON THE ROOF OF THE BUILDING WERE BLOWN INTO THE PARKING LOT SHATTERING THE WINDOWS OF NUMEROUS VEHICLES. A LARGE GENERATOR WEIGHING A COUPE THOUSAND POUNDS WAS BLOWN OFF A TRACTOR TRAILER SPILLING AROUND 40 GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL.

AN UNFINISHED HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON TIM STARLING DRIVE WAS ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED. A STORAGE WAREHOUSE IN THE SAME AREA SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE WHEN ONE OF THE BAY DOORS BLEW IN. THE TORNADO CONTINUED TRACKING NORTHEAST ALONG RESEARCH ROAD WHILE WEAKENING TO EF-0 AS IT APPROACHED CLAUDE LEE ROAD.

NUMEROUS TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN AND SHEDS DESTROYED ALONG CATHERINE DRIVE AND ARLIE DRIVE. SEVERAL HOMES IN THE AREA LOST SHINGLES AND SUFFERED MINOR DAMAGE TO TRIM AND SIDING. THE TORNADO THEN LIFTED OFF THE GROUND JUST AS IT APPROACHED THE FAYETTEVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT.SPECIAL THANKS ARE EXTENDED TO CUMBERLAND COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR ASSISTANCE DURING THIS SURVEY AND FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE DAMAGED AREAS.$$JAO/TC

Hazardous Weather Outlook Update

Here's an update on this weekend's hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service Office in Raleigh --

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

A WARM FRONT IS EXPECTED TO LIFT NORTH THROUGH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS AR EEXPECTED TO DEVELOP ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE WARM FRONT. DUE TO STRONG SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS ALOFT... ANY STORMS THAT DEVELOP WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME SEVERE... WITH A PRIMARY THREAT OF DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS. ISOLATED TORNADOES WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE... PARTICULARLY WITH ANY STORMS NEAR THE WARM FRONT.

A MORE ORGANIZED SEVERE WEATHER THREAT IS EXPECTED LATER TONIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING IN ASSOCIATION WITH A COLD FRONT APPROACHING THE AREA FROM THE WEST. A LINE OF STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ALONG THE COLD FRONT TONIGHT AND RAPIDLY MOVEEAST ACROSS CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS SUNDAY. THE PRIMARY SEVERE WEATHER THREAT WILL BE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS. AN ISOLATED TORNADO CANNOT BE RULED OUT WITH ANY STORMS THAT MAY DEVELOP AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT.

March 28, 1984: Carolinas Outbreak

Saturday will mark 25 years since the deadliest tornado outbreak on record in the Carolinas...

Twenty-two tornadoes were reported that day. 57 people were killed in the Carolinas and some estimates show over 1000 were injured.

The tornadoes developed the afternoon of March 28, 1984 in South Carolina devastating areas around Newberry and Winnsboro. Other tornadoes in the Palmetto State eventually tracked into North Carolina. In the town of Red Springs located in Robeson County, every building was reported to have some type of damage.

As we remember that tornado outbreak 25 years ago, we must prepare for the threat for severe weather this March 28. While we do not anticipate anything like 1984 at this time, severe weather including isolated tornadoes, damaging straight line winds, and hail will be a threat. Saturday's severe weather threat across the state will begin in the afternoon and continue through the night perhaps into early Sunday morning.

While storms are expected Saturday afternoon, another round of storms could move through much of the state late Saturday night into early Sunday morning when most folks will be sleeping. Unfortunately, North Carolinas ranks as the number state in killer nighttime tornadoes. If severe weather hits while you are sleeping this weekend, do you have a way to be alerted? NOAA Weather Radios provide instant alarms to severe weather warnings and are programmable to the type of watches or warnings and the counties you want to be alerted to. Just like every home should have a smoke detector, every home in North Carolina should have a NOAA Weather Radio. They can be purchased from most electronic stores for under $50. Be sure to purchase one with S.A.M.E. technology, this will allow you to program your radio for the alerts and counties you would like to know about.

Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina and news14.com through the weekend. The Weather on the Ones Forecast Center will be staffed around the clock. We'll have updates every 10 minutes with continuous updates if necessary.

Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Weekend

Here's this morning's hazardous weather outlook for Saturday through Sunday issued by the National Weather Service Office in Raleigh --

...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SATURDAY AFTERNOON INTO SUNDAY MORNING ACROSS CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA...

A STRONG WARM FRONT IS EXPECTED TO LIFT NORTH THROUGH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA SATURDAY AFTERNOON. DEPENDING ON HOW UNSTABLE THE ATMOSPHERE IS... ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS MAY DEVELOP ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE WARM FRONT. DUE TO STRONG SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS ALOFT...ANY STORMS THAT DEVELOP WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME SEVERE...WITH A PRIMARY THREAT OF DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS. AN ISOLATED TORNADO CANNOT BE RULED OUT WITH ANY STORMS NEAR THE WARM FRONT. THE PRIMARY THREAT FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE TRIANGLE AND HIGHWAY 64 CORRIDOR.

A MORE ORGANIZED SEVERE WEATHER THREAT ACROSS ALL OF CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA IS EXPECTED LATE SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING IN ASSOCIATION WITH A STRONG COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE. A LINE OF STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ALONG THE COLD FRONT SATURDAY NIGHT AND RAPIDLY MOVE EAST ACROSS CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS SUNDAY. THE PRIMARY SEVERE WEATHER THREAT WILL BE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS. AN ISOLATED TORNADO CANNOT BE RULED OUT WITH ANY STORMS THAT MAY DEVELOP AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT.

FINALLY... GUSTY WESTERLY WINDS ARE EXPECTED BEHIND THE COLD FRONT SUNDAY AFTERNOON. SUSTAINED WESTERLY WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH ARE LIKELY... WITH ISOLATED HIGHER GUSTS.

Update on Rain and Weekend Storm Chance

Light rain showers began across central North Carolina late yesterday, and now rain will continue off and on through the rest of the week and into the weekend.


The latest rainfall outlook through the weekend posted above shows much of our area could still see a couple of inches of rain. The western Carolinas could see over three inches, while parts of Alabama and Georgia could see over five inches!

Severe weather has been ongoing since last night across the Gulf coast states. There are reports this morning for early morning tornadoes in Mississippi and some storm damage in Alabama. The severe weather threat will continue along the Gulf coast this afternoon. Here in North Carolina, we'll just see occasional showers today and tomorrow with the possibility for just some isolated thunder.

Our chances for strong to severe thunderstorms will come late Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, and early Sunday when a line of storms will move across the Carolinas. The Storm Prediction Center has much of the southeast including all of the Carolinas outlined for a slight risk of severe weather Saturday.

Damaging straight line winds, hail, and tornadoes will be possible in the slight risk area. Details to the severe weather threat and timing still need to be ironed out. Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina for the latest in our Weather on the Ones updates.

Late March is often an active time for severe weather in the southeast. It is interesting to note that this Saturday will mark the 25th anniversary of one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in the Carolinas. More on the 1984 Carolinas Outbreak tomorrow here on the blog...

Rain for the End of the Week; Storms for the Weekend?

Rain looks to be a good bet over the next several days and we are watching for the potential for strong thunderstorms over the weekend.


Here's an updated look at the rainfall forecast over the next 5 days as forecast by the National Weather Service...

The southeast will see a lot of rain with flooding a possibility along the Gulf coast. We may see up to 2 inches between now and the weekend. Look for only light rain showers by late this afternoon and evening. The rain should pick up for Thursday. We may see a break in the rain late Thursday through early Friday, but another round of rain is possible during the day Friday.

And, there is more rain expected over the weekend that may come in the form of thunderstorms. Friday afternoon, low pressure will be developing over the southeast that should spread stormy weather over much of that region into the weekend. The timing on that system arriving here is still a little uncertain, but look for showers and thunderstorms to become likely late Saturday into early Sunday. Some of the latest weather data this morning suggests some of those storms may become severe. The Storm Prediction Center has outlined all of the Carolinas for the threat for severe weather Saturday...

Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina for the latest on the threat for storms with our Weather on the Ones updates available every 10 minutes. You can also stay connected with updates here on our weather blog plus now you can follow updates from our team of meteorologists on Facebook and Twitter:

• Meteorologist Lee Ringer on Facebook
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• Meteorologist Lee Ringer on Twitter
• Meteorologist Joshua McKinney on Twitter
• Meteorologist Pati Darak on Twitter

Return to Wet Weather Pattern...

After a pleasant and mild start to the week, this week will end on a wet note. Quite a bit of rain is expected over the southeast over the next several days....

The above graphic is a forecast from the National Weather Service for the amount of rainfall expected across the country over the next 5 days. The heaviest rains are forecast over the Gulf coast states where over 5 inches of rain is possible in some spots. While we do not expect that much here in the Carolinas, our area could see up to a couple of inches over the next 5 days.

Our rain chances will begin late Wednesday when a few sprinkles of rain or light rain showers will be possible. Look for the rain to pick up for Thursday and Friday. We may get a break in the rain late Friday into Saturday before a front pushes through the state over the weekend. The timing on that front is still uncertain at the moment but it could bring another round of rain including thunderstorms late Saturday or early Sunday.

Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina and Weather on the Ones for the latest forecasts through the week...