EF0 Tornado — Clay, North Carolina

2018-03-17 · near Fires Creek, Clay, North Carolina

1.5 mi

Path length

120 yds

Path width

Event narrative

The tornado started approximately near Fires Creek Road and Barlow Fields Drive. This was a non-continuous track more than likely due to the terrain. There was extensive softwood tree damage noted with most trees uprooted. Many trees were snapped in the upper third of their trunks as well. Trees also fell on homes and vehicles along the track. The rear flank downdraft winds were impressive particularly along Lance Cove Road and Sweetwater Bend, just south of the Hiawassee River. The tornado weakened and ended near Poplar Cove just south of the Hiawassee River.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms developed ahead of an upper level system and surface cold front during the evening hours. Several of these storms produced large hail and wind damage. Funnel clouds were reported as a discrete supercell thunderstorm developed over Southeast Tennessee and moved into Southwest North Carolina. As this supercell moved into Monroe County, Tennessee, a weak tornado developed downing several trees and producing minor structural damage.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.0759, -83.8679)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 737624. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.