EF1 tornado in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

NWS storm survey found a tornado damage path that began almost exactly on the NC/SC line along Nations Ford Rd west of Pineville. Trees were snapped or uprooted along its path until it reached an industrial area west of I-485 where several large buildings suffered roof damage and a wall collapsed at a building under construction. The damage in this area suggests winds of 90 to 95 mph which were the strongest winds of the event. The tornado maintained strength as it crossed I-485 and traveled across largely residential areas of southern Mecklenburg County causing scattered tree damage. At least one tree fell on a house in this area. More damage to large trees occurred along Highway 51 in Matthews east of Elizabeth Lane Elementary. The tornado weakened from there but caused more tree damage on West John St closer to the city center. Tree damage continued in scattered locations after the tornado crossed Independence Blvd and again I-485 before entering Union County.

Unusually high levels of moisture for early February combined with a slow-moving frontal system to produce an extended period of moderate to heavy rainfall across western North Carolina from the morning of the 5th until the early morning hours of the 7th. Intense rain rates associated with bands of heavy rain showers and embedded thunderstorms developing along the front during the morning and afternoon of the 7th resulted in rather widespread flash flooding. Isolated tornadoes also developed during this time across the Piedmont. Total rainfall of 3 to 6 inches resulted in flooding persisting along some main stem rivers and larger streams well into the 7th.