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Pacific Storms Continue to Impact the West; Severe Thunderstorms Forecast Thursday in the South

A series of Pacific storm systems will continue to impact the Northwest U.S. into this coming weekend with periods of gusty winds, high surf, low elevation rain, and heavy mountain snow. Severe thunderstorms will be possible on Thursday across central/east Texas into western Louisiana and possibly the ArkLaTex and southeast Oklahoma. Read More >

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has
Confirmed the Following Tornadoes Occurred on May 24, 2017:

NOTE: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS Storm Data.

EF-1 Tornado Southwest of Monroe in Union County NC

Location...           Southwest of Monroe in Union County, North Carolina
Date...               May 24, 2017
Estimated Time...     420 PM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale 
Rating...             EF1
Estimated Maximum 
Wind Speed...         100 mph
Maximum Path Width... 50 yards
Path Length...        7.7 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...  34.82N / 80.63W
Ending Lat/Lon...     34.90N / 80.55W
Fatalities...         None 
Injuries...           None



Details... 
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC has
confirmed a tornado southwest of Monroe in Union County North
Carolina on 05/24/17.

This tornado touched down just north of the state line and tracked
northeast for over 7 miles. Most of the damage was to trees but a
few structures were damaged. The most significant damage was to a
barn that had the sides and much of the roof torn off. This area
received the highest rating.

EF-2 Tornado East-Northeast of Statesville in Iredell County NC

Location...           3 miles east of Troutman to 6 miles east-northeast 
                      of Statesville in Iredell County, North Carolina
Date...               Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Estimated Time...     320 to 345 PM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale 
Rating...             EF2
Estimated Maximum 
Wind Speed...         115 mph
Maximum Path Width... 100 yards
Path Length...        10.18 miles, non-continuous
Beginning Lat/Lon...  34.71N / 80.84W
Ending Lat/Lon...     35.84N / 80.76W
Fatalities...         0
Injuries...           0



Details... 
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC has
confirmed a tornado from 3 miles east of Troutman to 6 miles 
east-northeast of Statesville in Iredell County, North Carolina 
on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.

This event was comprised of two separate tornado touchdowns. The 
first touchdown occured 3 miles east of Troutman near the 
intersection of Aileen Ln. and Hillndale Ln. at approximately 
320pm EDT. The tornado travelled approximately 1 mile before 
lifting near Musket Ln. at approximately 325pm EDT. This first 
tornado touchdown had a maximum rating of EF-0 with maximum winds 
of 80mph. Damage was the result of the tornado and strong, 
straight-line inflow winds. Snapped and broken trees were observed
and some trees were sheared off. Structural damage included minor
gutter damage and siding removed from a storage building. 
Additional tree damage from straight-line inflow winds accompanied
the tornado throughout.

The second tornado touchdown occurred approximately 6 miles east-
northeast of Statesville near the intersection of New Salem Rd. 
and Mocksville Hwy. (U.S. 64) at approximately 340pm EDT. The 
tornado travelled approximately 2.8 miles, crossing U.S. 64 and 
Hunters Ridge Ln. before lifting just north of Fifth Creek Rd at 
approximately 345pm EDT. The second and primary tornado touchdown 
had a maximum rating of EF-2 with maximum winds of 115mph. The 
tornado downed over 100 trees. Fencing was blown in multiple 
directions. A brick house had its roof completely torn off and its
interior walls collapsed. Tree limbs acted as projectiles and 
struck another home, embedding into the siding and penetrating the
outer walls. Numerous homes had debris splattered onto siding 
with a total of 15 to 20 homes suffering at least some damage. A 
vehicle was reportedly moved off U.S. 64 about the time the 
tornado crossed the highway. Finally, a swath of straight-line 
winds accompanied the storm and produced additional damage.

EF-2 Tornado North of Mocksville in Davie County NC

Location...           3 miles SSE of Courtney in Davie County, North Carolina
Date...               Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Estimated Time...     400 to 415 PM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale 
Rating...             EF2
Estimated Maximum 
Wind Speed...         115 mph
Maximum Path Width... 100 yards
Path Length...        2 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...  36.02N / 80.63W
Ending Lat/Lon...     36.05N / 80.61W
Fatalities...         0
Injuries...           1



Details... 
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC has
confirmed a tornado near Courtney, north of Mocksville, in Davie 
County North Carolina on May 24, 2017.

The tornado touched down one-quarter mile south of the intersection 
of highways 601 and 801, where trees were blown down. Damage was
spotty at first but increased across the Four Corners Road area. 
The tornado intensity and coverage continued to increase north-
northeastward across the northwest part of Davie County. At least 
100 trees were felled or snapped by the tornado and one home was 
damaged - with partial roof failure. A storage building was destroyed 
and a mobile home demolished. The mobile home occupant was thrown 
approximately 30 feet but survived.

For reference, the Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

EF0...Wind speeds 65 to 85 mph
EF1...Wind speeds 86 to 110 mph
EF2...Wind speeds 111 to 135 mph
EF3...Wind speeds 136 to 165 mph
EF4...Wind speeds 166 to 200 mph
EF5...Wind speeds greater than 200 mph