EF2 Tornado — Guilford, North Carolina

2008-05-08 · near Deep River, Guilford, North Carolina

Event narrative

The tornado, originally an EF-0, initially touched down just north of Squire Davis Park near the intersection of Sandy Ridge Road and Johnson Street. From there the tornado tracked northeast and intensified to EF-1 intensity as it approached the Farmers Market and Interstate 40. The tornado overturned several cars and tractor trailers as it crossed Interstate 40. A roof was blown off of an office building just north of the interstate as the tornado continued to intensify.

As the tornado moved further northeast into an industrial complex, it further strengthened to EF-2 with winds estimated around 130 mph based on damage to warehouses. Numerous warehouses along Little Santee Road, Capital Drive, and West Market Street sustained significant damage. Numerous vehicles and tractor trailers were also overturned in the industrial complex. At its widest point, the tornado was just over 200 yards wide. The tornado quickly lifted off of the ground after crossing West Market Street near the post office. The tornado was on the ground for about four miles.

One fatality occurred along West Market Street next to the Lamination Service Building located at 8717 West Market Street. The fatality occurred as a 51 year old man slept in the rig of his tractor trailer. Three other injuries were reported, two of which occurred in automobiles and another in the I.H. Caffey Warehouse Distribution Center.

Wider weather episode

A strong upper level low moving east-northeast across Kentucky and Tennessee, triggered several instances of severe damaging winds and two tornadoes across the Triad region in the northwest piedmont of North Carolina.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.0590, -80.0206)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 98549. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.