Riegelwood marks anniversary of deadly 2006 tornado with 200 mph winds

RIEGELWOOD, NC (WWAY) — Thursday marks 17 years since one of the deadliest tornadoes in North Carolina history.

In the early morning of November 16, 2006 several storms rolled through the area, with one being particularly bad in Columbus County.

The supercell dropped an F3 tornado near Riegelwood with winds near 200 miles per hour.

The tornado tragically killed eight people and injured 20 more, destroying 30 homes.