(The Center Square) – Thirteen tornadoes on Sunday in North Carolina associated with the remnants of Hurricane Isaias have been confirmed, including three reaching EF-2 in severity.
No fatalities were reported. At time of publication Wednesday morning, no federal disaster declaration was in place – the mechanism that unlocks federal funding and resources for damage recovery help that can strain local and state budgets.
EF-2 tornadoes were in the Duplin County communities of Wallace, Beulaville and Chinquapin, reaching estimated winds of 125 mph; in the Bonnie Doone neighborhood of Fayetteville in Cumberland County, reaching estimated winds of 115 mph; in the Candor community of Montgomery County reaching estimated winds of 115 mph.
Tornado intensity is measured on the enhanced Fujita scale, coupling wind gusts and damage inflicted on structures and vegetation. The National Weather Service typically conducts surveys for confirmations a day or two after the outbreaks.
Isaias made landfall near Destin, Fla., on Friday as a Category 2 hurricane. This means winds of 96-110 mph, and below the major categories of 3, 4 and 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
The 13 tornadoes on Sunday were the most in a single day since Aug. 3, 2020, when Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Ocean Isle Beach as a Category 1 hurricane. Three-day rain totals included 9.49 inches near Spruce Pine in Mitchell County; 9.21 inches at Jonas Ridge in Burke County; and 6.05 inches in Hendersonville – all mountain areas near Tennessee.
Winston-Salem picked up 2.78 inches of rain, Charlotte 2.63 inches, and on the coast, Bald Head Island 3.73 inches and Wilmington 2.4 inches.
Part of the severe weather in the Coastal Plains was attributed to a cold front coming behind the Isaias remnants.
Six EF-1 tornadoes were confirmed.
• In the Wake County community of Perry Creek in northeast Raleigh, winds reached 107 mph in a 2.5 mile path.
• In the Franklin County community of Louisburg, winds reached 110 mph on a 1.9 mile path.
• In the Linden community straddling the county line of Cumberland and Harnett, winds reached 105 mph on a 1.2 mile path.
• In the Chatham County community of Jordan Lake, winds reached 105 mph in a 1.1 mile path.
• In the Wake County community of Carpenter, winds reached 100 mph in a brief touch down.
• And south of Kinston at the county line for Lenoir and Jones, winds reached 90 to 100 mph in a brief touch down.
Four other tornadoes were EF-0 after confirmation.
• In the Johnston County community of Clayton, winds reached 85 mph in a 3.3 mile path.
• In the Bladen County community of East Arcadia, winds reached 80 mph in a 1.7 mile path.
• In the Sampson County community of Harrells, winds reached 75 mph in a brief 0.2 mile touch down.
• And in the Columbus County community of Clarendon, winds reached 80 mph in a brief touch down.
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