Tornado trio: Three tornadoes strike same county 11 hours, 14 miles apart

Three EF-1 tornadoes were confirmed by the National Weather Service in Raleigh. All three of them happened in Edgecombe County.

They happened 14 miles and less than 11 hours apart. All three were warned by the National Weather Service.

1. The first was in the Princeville-Tarboro area. It happened shortly after 5 p.m. Monday and was on the ground for six minutes. It traveled more than two miles during that time and was about a football field wide. Its peak wind speeds reached 110 mph.
2. The second happened just south of Macclesfield just before 3:30 Tuesday morning. It was on the ground for two minutes. It traveled nearly two miles during that time and was more than a football field wide. Its peak wind speeds ranged between 100 mph and 110 mph.
3. The last happened moments later in Pinetops before 3:45 Tuesday morning. It was on the ground for three minutes. It traveled more than two miles during that time and was more than a football wide. Its peak wind speed reached 110 mph.

30% of North Carolina’s tornadoes happen at night, which is why it’s imperative that you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. We average more than 30 tornadoes per year.

Ask the Meteorologist: How many nighttime tornadoes happen in North Carolina?

We also previously wrote on how the National Weather Service rates these tornadoes. By assessing damage indicators and the degree to which their damaged, they can estimated the wind speed of a tornado.

In this case, all three were EF-1 tornadoes with wind speeds of 100 mph to 110 mph.

Wednesday is a WRAL Weather Alert Day, but the tornado threat is lower.

‘It was just that fast’: Edgecombe County wakes to tornado warnings, homes, cars damaged

Tornado in Pinetops damages homes

WRAL News returned to Pinetops on Wednesday morning, where a tarp is now covering the roof of a home on Gay Street. 

Savanna Brooks said her family woke up to her neighbor’s parents banging on the window and asking if they were okay. Brooks said she’s thankful no one was hurt, but she’s unsure of when her family will find a sense normalcy and stability again.

“I’m grateful and a little like, what are we going to do? I don’t know,” Brooks said. “I believe the Red Cross will be in contact and hopefully they will help us.”

With a Level 1 risk for severe weather and more storms on the way Wednesday, there’s concern about the already-saturated ground coupled with high winds and rain bringing down more trees and causing additional damage.