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The remnants of Hurricane Isaias spawned 13 tornadoes across North Carolina on Sunday, breaking the state record for tropical tornadoes. Damage was reported in Wake, Chatham, Cumberland, and other counties.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Strong storms and tornadoes moved across central North Carolina and the Sandhills on Sunday, causing significant damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure. The National Weather Service in Raleigh confirmed that the remnants of Hurricane Isaias spawned 13 tornadoes statewide, breaking the previous record of 12 set by Hurricane Isaias in 2020.
The National Weather Service in Raleigh has been surveying damage for three days. According to WRAL, the confirmed tornadoes in the viewing area include:
A tornado in Montgomery County near Candor was rated EF-2 with winds of 115 mph, though WRAL noted this location is just outside their primary viewing area. The total count of 13 tornadoes across North Carolina surpassed the previous record for tropical tornadoes in the state.
In Raleigh, neighborhoods along the Neuse River, particularly in the 5401 North and Neuse Crossing areas, sustained damage. Homeowner Erik Grubbs described hearing a sound like a "freight train" before his roof collapsed. "I literally grabbed the dog and closed that bathroom door when that window right there blew out and all the glass literally shrapnel against the door," Grubbs said. He noted that alerts saved his life.
In Fayetteville, five buildings along Skibo Road sustained structural damage, and HVAC units were dislodged at a Walmart, which was evacuated. Fayetteville Fire Chief Kevin Dove confirmed the structural damage. Vehicles were flipped in the Yadkin Acres area, and a Marriott hotel lost part of its roof.
In Clayton, trees fell on railroad tracks near U.S. 70 and N.C. 42 East, halting train traffic until Sunday evening. A town spokesperson reported four damaged light poles and outages in the area. Homeowner Lisa MacDougall said, "Everything was spinning... It only lasted like a minute or so."
North Carolina Emergency Management kept the state emergency response team activated as severe weather moved through. Governor Josh Stein thanked first responders, stating, "We are safer and stronger together."
Duke Energy reported roughly 2,000 power outages across the area, with the majority in Vance and Cumberland counties. No serious injuries were reported in the central North Carolina and Sandhills regions, though western North Carolina experienced flash flooding and landslides that prompted rescues.
This event marks a significant meteorological milestone for North Carolina, breaking the state record for the most tropical tornadoes in a single day. The widespread damage across multiple counties highlights the destructive potential of tropical system remnants, even when the primary storm center is distant. The rapid confirmation of 13 tornadoes underscores the importance of timely weather alerts, which residents credited with saving lives during the event.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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