EF1 tornado in Carteret County, North Carolina

The tornado started near South Ferry Dock Road and likely came onshore

as a waterspout off Back Sound. The path continued northeast

to near and just east of Sam East Lane, where a house had major

damage to the roof, with substantial loss of shingles. In addition

two windows were blown out, and a wall was blown out on the north side

of the home. While the damage path was to the northeast, flashing and

insulation could be found on the north side of the home, blown back

toward the south, the first indication of rotation along the path.

The damage path continued across Island Road where a carport

and other roof structure was found, having been blown across the road.

A power pole was snapped, with a transmission line down. Damage at this

house consisted of a large 2 x 4 being blown through an exterior wall

and window damage. Again the damage path was to the north, but pieces

of plywood were found on the north side of the home, blown toward the

south, confirming continued rotation.

The damage path continued toward Nelson Street before ending.

The tornado likely begin to weaken or lift up at this point with

damage becoming more sporadic and less, and consisted of a large metal

outdoor storage shed being lofted across the block. Debris was found

on the back porch of a second floor house, on the north side of the home,

which confirmed rotation.

The strongest winds were estimated to be around 100 MPH, where a major

part of the roof was lost, to just across Island Road where the carport

and roof structure was blown to. This is consistent with low end EF1 damage.

Late on the evening of January 9, 2024, a strong cold front moved east across the Carolinas, and was accompanied by a line of severe thunderstorms. A period of strong southerly winds (not associated with thunderstorms) developed ahead of the cold front, followed by widespread strong to damaging winds associated with the line of thunderstorms. These thunderstorms produced wind gusts as high as 100 mph, caused tree and structure damage, and spawned multiple tornadoes. Since 1950, only one other time in Eastern North Carolina history has a storm system produced 3, or more, tornadoes in one event during the winter months (Dec, Jan, Feb). The last time was February 18, 2008. The strong onshore winds also led to coastal flooding, especially across the Outer Banks from Ocracoke north. In all, over 60 reports of severe weather or coastal flooding were received, and over 20 Severe Thunderstorm and several Tornado Warnings were issued. This event will go down as one of the more notable winter season severe weather events for Eastern North Carolina.