Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2009

Tornado Warning 5, NWS Wilmington, NC

June 15, 2009Bladen County, Columbus County, North Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this tornado warning at Jun 15, 2009, 7:21 PM EDT for Bladen County, Columbus County, North Carolina. It was in force for 39 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jun 15, 2009, 7:21 PM EDT (23:21 UTC)
Expired
Jun 15, 2009, 8:00 PM EDT
In force
39 min
Issued by
NWS Wilmington, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Bladen County, NC, Columbus County, NC

The radar

The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 44 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:25 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 15, 3:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WatchSPC8 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Newport, NC (KMHX), launched 12:00Z, 11.4 hours before the alert went out and 172 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Newport, NC at 12:00Z on 2009-06-15Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 3 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Newport, NC at 12:00Z on 2009-06-15The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -8 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
3 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-84 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1150 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
29 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-8 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
66 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
-0.0
Supercell composite
-0.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
WFUS52 KILM 152321
TORILM
NCC017-047-160000-
/O.NEW.KILM.TO.W.0005.090615T2321Z-090616T0000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
721 PM EDT MON JUN 15 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  CENTRAL BLADEN COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA
  CENTRAL COLUMBUS COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 800 PM EDT

* AT 717 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR
  ABBOTTSBURG...OR ABOUT 10 MILES NORTH OF WHITEVILLE...MOVING SOUTH
  AT 30 MPH.

* THE TORNADO IS EXPECTED TO BE NEAR...
   WHITEVILLE BY 740 PM...
   WILLIAMS BY 755 PM...
   MOLLIE BY 800 PM...


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

GET UNDER A TABLE OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. SEEK SHELTER ON
THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH
AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS
STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EDT
MONDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH
CAROLINA.

&&

PLEASE REPORT HAIL...DOWNED TREES OR DAMAGING WINDS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC...TOLL FREE AT 877-633-6772...WHEN
YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3455 7862 3414 7844 3416 7852 3414 7854
      3412 7855 3414 7889 3448 7886 3450 7885
      3454 7886
TIME...MOT...LOC 2321Z 355DEG 24KT 3445 7872

$$

BACON
4 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS52 KILM 152333
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
733 PM EDT MON JUN 15 2009

NCC017-047-160000-
/O.CON.KILM.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-090616T0000Z/
COLUMBUS NC-BLADEN NC-
733 PM EDT MON JUN 15 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN BLADEN AND CENTRAL COLUMBUS COUNTIES...

AT 731 PM EDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CLARKTON...OR 7 MILES NORTH OF WHITEVILLE...
MOVING SOUTH AT 15 MPH. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN 
ABBOTSVILLE. 

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
   CHADBOURN BY 755 PM EDT...
   REDBUG BY 800 PM EDT...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. TAKE SHELTER NOW

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EDT
MONDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH
CAROLINA.

&&

PLEASE REPORT HAIL...DOWNED TREES OR DAMAGING WINDS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC...TOLL FREE AT 877-633-6772...WHEN
YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3426 7851 3420 7883 3451 7883 3452 7863
TIME...MOT...LOC 2333Z 344DEG 12KT 3443 7868

$$

MBB
000 
WWUS52 KILM 152342
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
742 PM EDT MON JUN 15 2009

NCC017-152352-
/O.CAN.KILM.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-090616T0000Z/
BLADEN NC-
742 PM EDT MON JUN 15 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN BLADEN COUNTY IS CANCELED...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EDT
MONDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH
CAROLINA.

PLEASE REPORT HAIL...DOWNED TREES OR DAMAGING WINDS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC...TOLL FREE AT 877-633-6772...WHEN
YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3445 7865 3445 7864 3444 7862 3426 7851
      3420 7883 3446 7883 3446 7867
TIME...MOT...LOC 2342Z 344DEG 12KT 3440 7867

$$

NCC047-160000-
/O.CON.KILM.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-090616T0000Z/
COLUMBUS NC-
742 PM EDT MON JUN 15 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
COLUMBUS COUNTY...

AT 742 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR AND STORM 
SPOTTERS WERE TRACKING A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 5 MILES 
NORTH OF WHITEVILLE...MOVING SOUTH AT 15 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
   WHITEVILLE BY 755 PM EDT...
   REDBUG BY 800 PM EDT...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. SEEK
SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR
ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND
ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EDT
MONDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH
CAROLINA.

&&

PLEASE REPORT HAIL...DOWNED TREES OR DAMAGING WINDS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC...TOLL FREE AT 877-633-6772...WHEN
YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3445 7865 3445 7864 3444 7862 3426 7851
      3420 7883 3446 7883 3446 7867
TIME...MOT...LOC 2342Z 344DEG 12KT 3440 7867

$$

BACON
000 
WWUS52 KILM 152355
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
755 PM EDT MON JUN 15 2009

NCC047-160000-
/O.CON.KILM.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-090616T0000Z/
COLUMBUS NC-
755 PM EDT MON JUN 15 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT FOR CENTRAL
COLUMBUS COUNTY...

AT 752 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A POSSIBLE TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR 
WHITEVILLE...OR 3 MILES NORTHEAST OF WHITEVILLE...MOVING SOUTH AT 15 
MPH. 

THE TORNADO WILL BE...
   APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES EAST OF WHITEVILLE BY 800 PM EDT...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. SEEK
SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR
ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND
ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EDT
MONDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH
CAROLINA.

&&

PLEASE REPORT HAIL...DOWNED TREES OR DAMAGING WINDS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC...TOLL FREE AT 877-633-6772...WHEN
YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3445 7865 3445 7864 3444 7862 3426 7851
      3420 7883 3446 7883 3446 7867
TIME...MOT...LOC 2353Z 348DEG 11KT 3437 7867

$$

MBB
000 
WWUS52 KILM 160003
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
803 PM EDT MON JUN 15 2009

NCC047-160010-
/O.EXP.KILM.TO.W.0005.000000T0000Z-090616T0000Z/
COLUMBUS NC-
803 PM EDT MON JUN 15 2009

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR CENTRAL COLUMBUS COUNTY HAS EXPIRED...

AT 800 PM EDT...THE THUNDERSTORM PRODUCING THE POSSIBLE TORNADO WHICH
PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS WEAKENED...THUS THE TORNADO WARNING WAS
ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.


STRONG GUSTY AND VERY HEAVY RAIN WILL REMAIN POSSIBLE WITH THIS 
STORM. THE STORM IS BEING CLOSELY MONITORED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER 
SERVICE AS IT STILL CONTAINS SOME WEAK ROTATION ON DOPPLER RADAR. 
THE STORM MAY RE-INTENSIFY AND PRODUCE A TORNADO. IF THIS OCCURS 
THEN A TORNADO WARNING WILL BE REISSUED. 

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM EDT
MONDAY EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH
CAROLINA.

PLEASE REPORT HAIL...DOWNED TREES OR DAMAGING WINDS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC...TOLL FREE AT 877-633-6772...WHEN
YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY.

LAT...LON 3445 7865 3445 7864 3444 7862 3426 7851
      3420 7883 3446 7883 3446 7867
TIME...MOT...LOC 2355Z 348DEG 11KT 3436 7867

$$

BACON

The office that day

Everything else NWS Wilmington, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 15, 6:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMBladen, Columbus, Robeson60 min
Jun 15, 7:06 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMRobeson30 min
Jun 15, 7:28 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMColumbus, Robeson62 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 2009Every tornado warning in 2009Tornadoes in 2009

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.