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National Weather Service says 'high-end' EF-1 tornado hit Catawba County Tuesday
The tornado had 110 mph winds and traveled 240 yards into western Iredell County.
CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Preliminary information revealed that a “high-end” EF-1 tornado touched down in Catawba County on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring at least two others during a severe weather outbreak across the Carolinas, the National Weather Service confirmed.
NWS surveyors said the tornado hit at approximately 12:31 p.m. and traveled for 240 yards, ending on the other side of the Iredell County line. The tornado hit a mobile home park in the Claremont area, damaging several houses, Catawba County officials said. Crews estimated the tornado had 110 mph winds when it touched down, leaving a trail of destruction along its path.
A family member said the person who was killed was trying to protect others during the storm, covering them when the tornado hit. At least one other person was critically injured.
“We didn’t think that she made it either, but they told us that she did,” the woman said. “Now, we’re just trying to hear news about the baby. But he did save her life, he possibly saved that baby’s life as well.”
About 30 people were displaced from their homes due to the storms. The county is relocating displaced people to a temporary shelter at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, located at 3180 W. Main Street in Claremont.
Tuesday’s storms brought damaging winds, flooding and downed trees across the Charlotte area. Tens of thousands of people lost power as trees fell onto power lines across the region. The Charlotte region could see more severe weather on Friday as another storm system brings the threat of flash flooding, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.
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