Mid-November 2006 tornado outbreak
Encyclopedia
The Mid-November 2006 tornado outbreak was a significant tornado outbreak
across the Southern United States
and into the Mid-Atlantic States
on November 15 and 16, 2006. It took place along a sharp cold front that tracked across the entire region from west to east. At least nine people were killed by the many tornadoes that damaged many communities. The bulk of the tornadoes took place on November 15, but the deadliest tornado took place on the morning of the November 16 in southern North Carolina
.
A moderate risk of severe weather was issued by the Storm Prediction Center
for a large section of the Southeast for the night of the November 14 into November 15. The activity started in the overnight hours in Louisiana
and Arkansas
and tracked eastward, producing scattered tornadoes across the entire Gulf Coast and into the Carolinas over the next 36 hours. The most severe tornadoes took place in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
where one person was killed in a mobile home, Sumrall, Mississippi
where an F3 tornado led to severe damage and numerous injuries, and in Montgomery, Alabama
where an indoor roller skating
park was destroyed with 30 children inside (but no serious injuries).
When the line crossed into Georgia
and northern Florida
, it formed into a squall line
. However, breaks in the squall line allowed supercells to form in the overnight hours, and early on the 16th, the deadly tornado in southern North Carolina formed at the end of the outbreak.
Three other deaths occurred that were not related to tornadoes; one was a utility worker that was electrocuted
checking downed power lines in South Carolina
and two were in car crashes in North Carolina
related to severe thunderstorms. In total, 28 tornadoes were confirmed.
in southern North Carolina
, just west of Wilmington
, on the morning of November 16. It touched down at 6:37 am EST
(1137 UTC) according to the Storm Prediction Center
.
The tornado first touched down in the community of Riegelwood
, where the most significant damage was reported. The most devastating impact took place in a mobile home
park, resulting in at least 8 deaths and at least 20 injuries, of which at least five were in critical condition after the tornado hit. At least 30 houses were destroyed and some were flattened, according to a news conference with Governor
Mike Easley
. At the peak of the storm, 40,000 people were without electricity
; most of them were quickly restored. The tornado was 300 yards (270 m) wide at its widest point and was confirmed as an F3 on the Fujita scale for about one mile.
The tornado continued eastward for 7 miles (11 km) as a much weaker and narrower tornado with F1 damage. Nonetheless, as it tracked into Pender County
, three more houses were damaged before it dissipated.
At 5:00 pm EST (2200 UTC), the chair of the Columbus County Commission confirmed there was an eighth fatality. A shelter was opened that afternoon for victims as well. This tornado was the second-deadliest tornado in North Carolina in the past 50 years.
Tornado outbreak
While there is no single agreed upon definition, generally at least 6-10 tornadoes produced by the same synoptic scale weather system is considered a tornado outbreak. The tornadoes usually occur within the same day, or continue into the early morning hours of the succeeding day, and within the...
across the Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
and into the Mid-Atlantic States
Mid-Atlantic States
The Mid-Atlantic states, also called middle Atlantic states or simply the mid Atlantic, form a region of the United States generally located between New England and the South...
on November 15 and 16, 2006. It took place along a sharp cold front that tracked across the entire region from west to east. At least nine people were killed by the many tornadoes that damaged many communities. The bulk of the tornadoes took place on November 15, but the deadliest tornado took place on the morning of the November 16 in southern North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
A moderate risk of severe weather was issued by the Storm Prediction Center
Storm Prediction Center
The Storm Prediction Center , located in Norman, Oklahoma, is tasked with forecasting the risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the contiguous United States. The agency issues convective outlooks, mesoscale discussions, and watches as a part of this process...
for a large section of the Southeast for the night of the November 14 into November 15. The activity started in the overnight hours in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
and Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
and tracked eastward, producing scattered tornadoes across the entire Gulf Coast and into the Carolinas over the next 36 hours. The most severe tornadoes took place in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
St. Helena Parish is a parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Its seat is Greensburg. As of 2000, its population was 10,525.St. Helena Parish is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Baton Rouge–Pierre Part Combined Statistical Area.-History:For the past...
where one person was killed in a mobile home, Sumrall, Mississippi
Sumrall, Mississippi
Sumrall is a town in Lamar County, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,005 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sumrall is located at ....
where an F3 tornado led to severe damage and numerous injuries, and in Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
where an indoor roller skating
Roller skating
Roller skating is the traveling on smooth surfaces with roller skates. It is a form of recreation as well as a sport, and can also be a form of transportation. Skates generally come in two basic varieties: quad roller skates and inline skates or blades, though some have experimented with a...
park was destroyed with 30 children inside (but no serious injuries).
When the line crossed into Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and northern Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, it formed into a squall line
Squall line
A squall line is a line of severe thunderstorms that can form along or ahead of a cold front. In the early 20th century, the term was used as a synonym for cold front. It contains heavy precipitation, hail, frequent lightning, strong straight-line winds, and possibly tornadoes and waterspouts....
. However, breaks in the squall line allowed supercells to form in the overnight hours, and early on the 16th, the deadly tornado in southern North Carolina formed at the end of the outbreak.
Three other deaths occurred that were not related to tornadoes; one was a utility worker that was electrocuted
Electric shock
Electric Shock of a body with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient current through the skin, muscles or hair. Typically, the expression is used to denote an unwanted exposure to electricity, hence the effects are considered undesirable....
checking downed power lines in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
and two were in car crashes in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
related to severe thunderstorms. In total, 28 tornadoes were confirmed.
November 15 event
| F# Fujita scale The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation... |
Location | County/Parish | Time (UTC) | Path length | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties... |
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| F2 | Amite area | St. Helena St. Helena Parish, Louisiana St. Helena Parish is a parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Its seat is Greensburg. As of 2000, its population was 10,525.St. Helena Parish is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the Baton Rouge–Pierre Part Combined Statistical Area.-History:For the past... , Tangipahoa Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana Tangipahoa Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana, one of the Florida Parishes. The parish seat is Amite City, but the major city is Hammond. As of 2006, the population was 113,137... |
0750 | 5.5 miles (9 km) |
1 death - Intermittent touchdown in the area. Mobile home destroyed along Highway 441. Major damage was also reported in the rural area to several houses. Two people were injured. | |
| F1 | Franklinton Franklinton, Louisiana Franklinton is a town in and the parish seat of Washington Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,657 at the 2000 census. It is an average of above sea level.... area |
Washington Washington Parish, Louisiana Washington Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Its parish seat is Franklinton. In 2000, its population was 43,926.... |
0855 | unknown | Three houses sustained structural damage in the area, one of them was heavily damaged.. | |
| Mississippi Mississippi Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi... |
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| F3 | Sumrall Sumrall, Mississippi Sumrall is a town in Lamar County, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,005 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sumrall is located at .... area |
Lamar Lamar County, Mississippi -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 39,070 people, 14,396 households, and 10,725 families residing in the county. The population density was 79 people per square mile . There were 15,433 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile... , Forrest Forrest County, Mississippi The median income for a household in the county was $27,420, and the median income for a family was $35,791. Males had a median income of $28,742 versus $20,500 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,160... |
0830 | 13 miles (21 km) |
Severe tornado touchdown in the community. Extensive structural damage to 25 houses - 16 of which were destroyed. Enormous damage to trees and power lines were also reported along a 500 yard (450 m) wide path. The most severe damage involved a wood frame house that was flattened. Six people were injured. | |
| F2 | Dexter area | Walthall Walthall County, Mississippi -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 15,156 people, 5,571 households, and 4,111 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 6,418 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile... , Marion Marion County, Mississippi -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 25,595 people, 9,336 households, and 6,880 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 10,395 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile... |
0905 | 16 miles (26 km) |
16 buildings were damaged - many of them severely. One person was injured in a mobile home. | |
| F3 | SE of Laurel Laurel, Mississippi Laurel is a city located in Jones County in Mississippi, a state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,393 although a significant population increase has been reported following Hurricane Katrina. Located in southeast Mississippi, southeast of... |
Jones Jones County, Mississippi -History:Jones County, formed out parts of Covington and Wayne counties, was established on January 24, 1826 and was named for John Paul Jones. There are other counties named Jones, but it appears that this is the only one named for John Paul Jones... , Wayne Wayne County, Mississippi -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 21,216 people, 7,857 households, and 5,853 families residing in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile . There were 9,049 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile... |
0931 | 10.5 miles (17 km) |
Significant damage to 25 houses. Two mobile homes - one being used as temporary housing after Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall... - were flattened. Extensive tree damage was also reported, along with two electric transmission towers being knocked down along a 1/2 mile (800 m) wide path. A few minor injuries were reported. |
|
| F1 | E of Laurel Laurel, Mississippi Laurel is a city located in Jones County in Mississippi, a state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,393 although a significant population increase has been reported following Hurricane Katrina. Located in southeast Mississippi, southeast of... |
Jones Jones County, Mississippi -History:Jones County, formed out parts of Covington and Wayne counties, was established on January 24, 1826 and was named for John Paul Jones. There are other counties named Jones, but it appears that this is the only one named for John Paul Jones... |
0940 | 0.75 mile (1.2 km) |
Related to the main Laurel area tornado. Damage limited to trees. | |
| F1 | NW of Purvis Purvis, Mississippi Purvis is a city in Lamar County, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,164 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lamar County. The Town of Purvis was incorporated on February 25, 1888 and was founded by... |
Lamar Lamar County, Mississippi -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 39,070 people, 14,396 households, and 10,725 families residing in the county. The population density was 79 people per square mile . There were 15,433 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile... |
0950 | 1 mile (1.6 km) |
One outbuilding was destroyed and a shed lost its roof. Extensive tree damage. | |
| F1 | Sand Hill | Greene Greene County, Mississippi -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 13,299 people, 4,148 households, and 3,152 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile . There were 4,947 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile... |
1057 | 4.5 miles (7 km) |
At least eight houses and part of a church were damaged. Extensive damage to trees and power lines. | |
| Arkansas Arkansas Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River... |
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| F1 | Brinkley Brinkley, Arkansas Brinkley is the most populous city in Monroe County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,940 at the 2000 census.It is located almost exactly half-way between Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee; the city has used the slogan "We'll Meet You Half-Way" in some of its advertising... |
Monroe Monroe County, Arkansas Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population is 8,149. The county seat is Clarendon, while its largest city is Brinkley... |
0950 | 6.5 miles (10 km) |
Damage was reported to about 50 houses and businesses. Four silos and an outbuilding were destroyed. Extensive tree and power line damage. | |
| Alabama Alabama Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland... |
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| F1 | Chatom Chatom, Alabama Chatom is a town in Washington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,193. The city is the county seat of Washington County.-Geography:Chatom is located at .According to the U.S... |
Washington Washington County, Alabama Washington County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. The county was named in honor of George Washington, first President of the United States of America. As of 2010, the population was 17,581. Its county seat is Chatom. Washington County is a dry county.-History:The area was long inhabited... |
1140 | 8 miles (12.8 km) |
Several homes with roof damage. Horse barn damaged. | |
| F1 | Pintlala | Lowndes Lowndes County, Alabama Lowndes County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is named in honor of William Lowndes, a member of the United States Congress from South Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 11,299... , Montgomery Montgomery County, Alabama Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is the most populous county in the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area; its population in 2010 was 229,363 .- History :... |
1603 | 5.7 miles (9.2 km) |
Significant damage reported, especially around Pintlala Elementary School. Overall damage moderate to heavy, with numerous houses, the school and a church damaged along US 31 U.S. Route 31 U.S. Route 31 is a long north–south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with its northern terminus at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, and southern terminus at the combined U.S. Route 90 & U.S. Route 98 at Spanish Fort, Alabama... . |
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| F2 | Montgomery Montgomery, Alabama Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city... |
Montgomery Montgomery County, Alabama Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is the most populous county in the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area; its population in 2010 was 229,363 .- History :... |
1630 | 6.8 miles (11 km) |
Heavy damage reported in the east end of Montgomery. The Fun Zone Skate Center was destroyed with over 30 children inside. Fortunately, they all escaped with only a few minor injuries. Other houses and businesses were also damaged, including a postal distribution center. Extensive tree and power line damage. | |
| F1 | SE of Wetumpka Wetumpka, Alabama Wetumpka is a city in Elmore County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 5,726.The city is the county seat of Elmore County, one of the fastest growing counties in the state.... |
Elmore Elmore County, Alabama Elmore County is a county of the State of Alabama. Its name is in honor of General John A. Elmore. As of 2010 its population was 79,303. Its county seat is Wetumpka.This county is part of the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :... |
1645 | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
One house was damaged and saw its roof shift. Some tree damage was reported. | |
| F1 | NE of Eclectic Eclectic, Alabama Eclectic is a town in Elmore County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,037. It is part of the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Eclectic is located at .According to the U.S... |
Elmore Elmore County, Alabama Elmore County is a county of the State of Alabama. Its name is in honor of General John A. Elmore. As of 2010 its population was 79,303. Its county seat is Wetumpka.This county is part of the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :... |
1705 | 5 miles (8 km) |
Damage to trees and power lines south of Lake Martin Lake Martin Lake Martin is located in Tallapoosa, Elmore, and Coosa counties in Alabama. It is a 44,000-acre lake with over 750 miles of wooded shoreline. An artificial reservoir, Lake Martin was formed by the construction of Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River. The Martin Dam powerhouse is used to generate... . One house lost its roof. |
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| F0 | W of Reeltown | Tallapoosa Tallapoosa County, Alabama Tallapoosa County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. The name Tallapoosa is of Creek origin, and many Indian villages were along the banks of the lower river before the 19th century. As of 2010, the population was 41,616... |
1720 | 100 yds (90 m) |
Minor damage to a mobile home and three outbuildings, also some tree damage reported. | |
| F2 | W of Opp Opp, Alabama Opp is a city in Covington County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 6,607. -Geography:Opp is located at . According to the U.S... |
Covington Covington County, Alabama Covington County, Alabama, is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Brigadier General Leonard Covington of Maryland. As of 2010 the population was 37,765... |
1730 | 15 miles (24 km) |
Significant damage was reported along the track. Numerous houses lost their roofs. Several farms were destroyed, with the most severe damage located at six poultry Poultry Poultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of producing eggs, meat, and/or feathers. These most typically are members of the superorder Galloanserae , especially the order Galliformes and the family Anatidae , commonly known as "waterfowl"... farms, where over 130,000 chicken Chicken The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird... s were killed and the farms were all destroyed. |
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| F2 | Hamilton Crossroads area | Pike Pike County, Alabama Pike County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of General Zebulon Pike, of New Jersey, an explorer who led an expedition to southern Colorado and discovered Pikes Peak in 1806. As of 2010 the population was 32,899. Its county seat is Troy.- History :In 1819 the State... , Barbour Barbour County, Alabama Barbour County, Alabama is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of James Barbour, who served as Governor of Virginia. As of 2010 the population was 27,457. Its county seat is Clayton.-History:... |
1817 | 17.8 miles (29 km) |
Significant damage reported in the area. Several houses lost their roofs and numerous mobile homes were destroyed. The local fire department Fire department A fire department or fire brigade is a public or private organization that provides fire protection for a certain jurisdiction, which typically is a municipality, county, or fire protection district... building collapsed and the water tower Water tower A water tower or elevated water tower is a large elevated drinking water storage container constructed to hold a water supply at a height sufficient to pressurize a water distribution system.... crashed to the ground. |
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| F1 | Lafayette | Chambers Chambers County, Alabama Chambers County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Henry H. Chambers, who served as a United States Senator from Alabama. As of 2010 the population was 34,215. Its county seat is Lafayette... |
1829 | 0.75 mile (1.2 km) |
Heavy damage to a service station and a storage shed. | |
| F1 | Mount Andrew | Barbour Barbour County, Alabama Barbour County, Alabama is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of James Barbour, who served as Governor of Virginia. As of 2010 the population was 27,457. Its county seat is Clayton.-History:... |
1855 | unknown | One house sustained roof and wall damage from this brief touchdown. | |
| F1 | Dyas | Baldwin Baldwin County, Alabama -2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.7% White*9.4% Black*0.7% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.5% Two or more races*4.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... |
1509 | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
A house on the east side of Dyas road sustained considerable roof damage. In addition, two shed Shed A shed is typically a simple, single-storey structure in a back garden or on an allotment that is used for storage, hobbies, or as a workshop.... s, one barn Barn A barn is an agricultural building used for storage and as a covered workplace. It may sometimes be used to house livestock or to store farming vehicles and equipment... , one horse pen, and a screened in porch were destroyed at the residence. |
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| F0 | E of Latham | Baldwin Baldwin County, Alabama -2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.7% White*9.4% Black*0.7% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.5% Two or more races*4.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:... |
1448 | 1 mile (1.6 km) |
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| Georgia Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788... |
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| F1 | Fort Benning Fort Benning Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama... |
Chattahoochee Chattahoochee County, Georgia Chattahoochee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 13, 1854. The 2000 Census reported a population of 14,882. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 14,402. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area... , Muscogee Muscogee County, Georgia Muscogee County is a county located on the central western border of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is part of the Columbus, Georgia-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 186,291. The 2009 Census Estimate shows a population of 190,414... |
1915 | 1.75 miles (2.8 km) |
Significant tornado touchdown in the Army United States Army The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services... base. About 20 large warehouses were damaged, and 6 houses were destroyed along its 1/4 mile (400 m) wide path. 6 people suffered minor injuries. |
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| North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte... |
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| F1 | Cramerton Cramerton, North Carolina Cramerton is a town in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States and is also considered to be a suburb of Charlotte and Gastonia. The population was 2,976 at the 2000 census... |
Gaston Gaston County, North Carolina Gaston County is a county located just west of Charlotte in the southern Piedmont in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third largest county, by population, in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area, officially designated the Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of... |
0358 | 150 yds (135 m) |
Tornado confirmed with light damage. | |
| F0 | N of Lowesville Lowesville, North Carolina Lowesville is a census-designated place in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,440 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lowesville is located at .... |
Lincoln Lincoln County, North Carolina -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 71,498 people, 24,041 households, and 18,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 214 people per square mile . There were 25,717 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile... |
0415 | unknown | Short-lived tornado. | |
| F2 | E of Denver Denver, North Carolina Denver, formerly known as "Dry Pond," is an unincorporated community located in Lincoln County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is situated on North Carolina State Highway 16 on the west side of Lake Norman on the Catawba River... |
Lincoln Lincoln County, North Carolina -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 71,498 people, 24,041 households, and 18,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 214 people per square mile . There were 25,717 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile... |
0420 | unknown | Substantial damage reported on the west side of Lake Norman Lake Norman Lake Norman, created between 1959 and 1964 as part of the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Energy, is the largest manmade body of fresh water located in North Carolina.-General Information:... . |
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| F1 | E of Statesville Statesville, North Carolina Statesville is a city located in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States and was named an All-America City in 1997 and 2009. The population was 24,633 at the 2010 census... |
Iredell Iredell County, North Carolina Iredell County, along with Moore County in the eastern Piedmont, are among a very few counties in the United States sharing borders with nine adjacent counties.-Demographics:... |
0442 | 6 miles (9.6 km) |
1 death Intermittent damage. Many trees were knocked down, some landing on mobile homes. 8 mobile homes were damaged. One man was critically injured when a refrigerator landed on him. He died in December from his injuries | |
| Sources: SPC Storm Reports (Overnight), SPC Storm Reports (Daytime), Jackson office, Little Rock office, Birmingham office, Greenville-Spartanburg office, Mobile office, Peachtree City office, New Orleans office | ||||||
November 16 event
| F# Fujita scale The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation... |
Location | County | Time (UTC) | Path length | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina South Carolina South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence... |
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| F1 | SE of Manning Manning, South Carolina Manning is a city in South Carolina and the county seat of Clarendon County in the Southeastern United States, located in the center of the county, just to the east of Interstate 95 and at the intersection of U.S. 301 and U.S. 521. The population was estimated to be 3,943 as of 2008, down 2% from... |
Clarendon | 0619 | 15 miles (24 km) |
Multiple touchdowns along the path, may have been one or multiple tornadoes. Tornado remained in rural areas with damaged limited to trees. | |
| North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte... |
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| F3 | Riegelwood Riegelwood, North Carolina Riegelwood is an unincorporated town in Columbus County, North Carolina. It is noted as a site of paper mills for the lumber industry.-Severe Weather Event in 2006:... area |
Columbus Columbus County, North Carolina -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 54,749 people, 21,308 households, and 15,043 families residing in the county. The population density was 58/sq mi . As of 2004, there were 24,668 housing units at an average density of 26/sq mi... , Pender Pender County, North Carolina -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 41,082 people, 16,054 households, and 11,719 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 20,798 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile... |
1137 | 7 miles (11 km) |
8 deaths - See section on this tornado | |
| Sources: SPC Storm Reports (Overnight), Wilmington office | ||||||
Southern North Carolina tornado
The deadliest tornado of the outbreak struck a primarily rural area in Columbus CountyColumbus County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 54,749 people, 21,308 households, and 15,043 families residing in the county. The population density was 58/sq mi . As of 2004, there were 24,668 housing units at an average density of 26/sq mi...
in southern North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, just west of Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
, on the morning of November 16. It touched down at 6:37 am EST
North American Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
(1137 UTC) according to the Storm Prediction Center
Storm Prediction Center
The Storm Prediction Center , located in Norman, Oklahoma, is tasked with forecasting the risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in the contiguous United States. The agency issues convective outlooks, mesoscale discussions, and watches as a part of this process...
.
The tornado first touched down in the community of Riegelwood
Riegelwood, North Carolina
Riegelwood is an unincorporated town in Columbus County, North Carolina. It is noted as a site of paper mills for the lumber industry.-Severe Weather Event in 2006:...
, where the most significant damage was reported. The most devastating impact took place in a mobile home
Mobile home
Mobile homes or static caravans are prefabricated homes built in factories, rather than on site, and then taken to the place where they will be occupied...
park, resulting in at least 8 deaths and at least 20 injuries, of which at least five were in critical condition after the tornado hit. At least 30 houses were destroyed and some were flattened, according to a news conference with Governor
Governor of North Carolina
The Governor of North Carolina is the chief executive of the State of North Carolina, one of the U.S. states. The current governor is Bev Perdue, North Carolina's first female governor.-Powers:...
Mike Easley
Mike Easley
Michael Francis "Mike" Easley is an American politician who served as the 72nd Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina, from 2001 to 2009. He is member of the North Carolina Democratic Party and became the first North Carolina governor to admit to a felony in a deal that halted a lengthy...
. At the peak of the storm, 40,000 people were without electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
; most of them were quickly restored. The tornado was 300 yards (270 m) wide at its widest point and was confirmed as an F3 on the Fujita scale for about one mile.
The tornado continued eastward for 7 miles (11 km) as a much weaker and narrower tornado with F1 damage. Nonetheless, as it tracked into Pender County
Pender County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 41,082 people, 16,054 households, and 11,719 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 20,798 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile...
, three more houses were damaged before it dissipated.
At 5:00 pm EST (2200 UTC), the chair of the Columbus County Commission confirmed there was an eighth fatality. A shelter was opened that afternoon for victims as well. This tornado was the second-deadliest tornado in North Carolina in the past 50 years.