Severe Weather Strikes Eastern North Carolina with Waterspouts, Damaging Winds
Severe thunderstorms brought 60 mph winds, waterspouts, and hail to eastern North Carolina communities Sunday afternoon.
MOREHEAD CITY, NORTH CAROLINA — Severe thunderstorms swept across eastern North Carolina on Sunday afternoon, prompting warnings for damaging winds, waterspouts, and hail across coastal and inland communities.
The National Weather Service issued alerts beginning at 12:45 PM EDT, tracking storm systems that brought 60 mph wind gusts and the potential for waterspouts along the coast. The storms moved eastward at speeds ranging from 15 to 35 mph throughout the afternoon.
Waterspouts Threaten Coastal Waters
At 2:21 PM EDT, Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm capable of producing waterspouts over Davis, located 7 miles northeast of Harkers Island. The storm was moving east at 15 mph and posed immediate dangers to marine interests.
The Weather Service warned that waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous waters. Communities in the storm’s path included Sealevel, Marshallberg, Smyrna, Atlantic, Davis, Williston, Stacy, and Gloucester.
Earlier, at 1:42 PM EDT, another strong thunderstorm was tracked over North River, 8 miles northwest of Harkers Island, moving east at 25 mph with wind gusts up to 40 mph and half-inch hail.
Severe Warnings Issued for Inland Areas
Intense warnings were issued for inland Duplin County, where a severe thunderstorm warning remained in effect until 1:30 PM EDT. At 12:58 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Wallace, moving east at 35 mph with 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail.
The Weather Service warned residents to expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees from the powerful winds. Communities impacted included Wallace, Rose Hill, Beulaville, Cypress Creek, Chinquapin, Greenevers, Lyman, and Teachey.
An earlier severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 12:45 PM EDT for southern Duplin County, tracking a storm over Harrells, 9 miles west of Wallace. This system also carried 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail, affecting Wallace, Rose Hill, Beulaville, Cypress Creek, Chinquapin, Potters Hill, Harrells, Magnolia, Greenevers, Lyman, and Teachey.
Widespread Impact Across Coastal Communities
The storm system that moved through North River impacted numerous coastal communities, according to the National Weather Service. Areas affected included Havelock, Morehead City, Newport, Harkers Island, Stella, Swansboro, South River, Cape Carteret, North River, Sealevel, Marshallberg, Davis, Smyrna, Merrimon, Straits, Pine Knoll Shores, Harlowe, Otway, Broad Creek, and Great Neck.
All severe thunderstorm warnings issued by the Newport/Morehead City office were radar-indicated, meaning the dangerous conditions were detected by Doppler radar systems rather than ground observations. The Weather Service cautioned that gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects, while minor hail damage to vegetation was possible.
Marine interests were particularly advised to exercise caution, as waterspouts pose significant risks to boats and create hazardous water conditions that can develop rapidly.
