EF3 Tornado — Beaufort, North Carolina

2014-04-25 · near Chocowinity, Beaufort, North Carolina

Event narrative

The tornado touched down approximately 1.5 miles west of Chocowinity along Taylor Road causing EF0 damage to trees and mobile homes. The tornado then strengthened to a strong EF2 as it impacted many homes and businesses from the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and North Carolina Highway 33 eastward for about 1 mile. Several homes had significant damage in this area with numerous trees snapped.

The tornado reached EF3 intensity with winds estimated at 150 mph as it impacted homes along Whichards Beach Road from near Warrens Way to Harbor Drive. Many homes in this area were severely damaged or destroyed. Numerous vehicles and boats were damaged or destroyed.

The tornado then moved into the Washington Park area near Shorewood Drive and Daniels Drive after crossing the Pamlico River. Strong EF2 damage continued for about five miles as the tornado tracked eastward across U.S. Highway 264 to just north of the intersection of North Carolina Highway 32. Extensive damage occurred to numerous homes with some completely destroyed. The tornado continue to track east of North Carolina Highway 32 and north of U.S. Highway 264 for about 10 miles producing mainly EF0 to EF1 damage. The tornado finally dissipated near the Terra Ceia farms area.

There was one indirect fatality and 16 injuries associated with this tornado. It is estimated 150 to 200 homes and structures were damaged with many destroyed.

Wider weather episode

A cold front approached eastern North Carolina during the afternoon of April 25th 2014. Warm southerly winds ahead of the front produced good instability over the region and numerous showers and thunderstorms crossed during the afternoon and evening. Two super-cell thunderstorms produced the bulk of the severe weather with multiple tornadoes reported in parts of Greene, Pitt and Beaufort counties. There was one indirect fatality as and elderly woman located near Washington died from pneumonia as a result of injuries sustained during the tornado. Total dollar damage was estimated at 15 million dollars.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.5100, -77.1200)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 505635. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.