EF2 tornado in Orange County, North Carolina

A tornado initially touched down in the White Cross area and Leslie Drive area of southwest Orange County. Considerable tree damage occurred in this area, including the snapping and splitting of healthy large-trunk trees. Subsequent damage to vehicles and homes occurred as the trees fell. Given the magnitude and nature of the damage, wind speeds were estimated at 110 mph. The tornado then tracked north-northeast eventually crossing Dodsons Cross Road, Dairlyland Road, Arthur Minnis Road, and Borland Roads, all while producing similar tree damage. The tornado finally began to lift and/or dissipate near Hillsborough just north of I-40 near exit 261, but not before producing considerable damage to several homes just south of exit 261. The roof and several exterior walls of one home were completely destroyed. Damage at this location was estimated at 115 mph, making this tornado a low-end EF-2 on the EF scale.

A deepening upper-level trough, which featured a strong polar jet ejecting northeast atop an eastward advancing cold front, brought severe thunderstorms that produced

7 tornadoes and widespread damaging straight-line winds across central NC. The strongest tornado of the day in North Carolina formed in southwestern Orange County and reached EF-2 strength as it neared Hillsborough. Along its path estimated at 12 miles long and a maximum of 600 yards wide, the roof and exterior walls of one home were reported as completely destroyed.