EF1 Tornado — Pender, North Carolina

2008-03-15 · near Hampstead, Pender, North Carolina

Event narrative

A National Weather Service Storm Survey concluded a tornado first touched down about 100 yards southwest of State Route 210. The tornado traveled northeast, across the intersection of Pansy Lane and Peanut Road where several businesses and homes were damaged. The tornado crossed near the intersection of Loblolly Trail and Pinestraw Drive where several homes were damaged and numerous trees were blown down. The tornado then lifted and skipped for another half mile, crossing Old Casteen Road, and then dissipating near Ravinswoods Road. Along its length, the tornado frequently lifted to tree top level and caused tops of trees to snap. There were 15 homes that received minor damage and 3 that sustained moderate damage. There were 10 businesses that sustained minor damage, and 3 that experienced moderate damage. Damage to one business was described as major. There were 5 mobile homes with minor damage and 2 with moderate damage. The maximum path width was 100 yards. The path length was almost 2 miles. The tornado was rated EF1, with winds up to 110 mph. However, for most of its length, the tornado was rated an EF0. Pender County officials estimated total storm damage was $2 million dollars.

Wider weather episode

A surface warm front lifted northward across the area just a few hours prior to the onset of a severe weather outbreak while a cold front approached from the northwest. A meso-low developed across northeast Georgia and enhanced the shear through the low-levels of the atmosphere. The arrival of a potent shortwave and associated strong dynamics by late afternoon were able to overcome limited instability and the stabilizing influences of the chilly Atlantic Ocean, allowing for a long-lived severe weather outbreak. National Weather Service Storm Damage Teams confirmed eight tornadoes, up to an EF1 on the Enhanced F-scale. The teams also observed evidence of strong microbursts and rear-flank downdraft damage. Large hail up to 1.75 inches and straight line wind damage up to 95 mph also occurred. The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center upgraded the area from a moderate risk for severe weather to a PDS high risk early in the afternoon.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.3676, -77.7145)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 90406. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.