Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 21, NWS Wilmington, NC

April 28, 2011Bladen County, Columbus County, Pender County, North Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this tornado warning at Apr 28, 2011, 3:37 PM EDT for Bladen County, Columbus County, Pender County, North Carolina. It was in force for 38 min. 4 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Apr 28, 2011, 3:37 PM EDT (19:37 UTC)
Expired
Apr 28, 2011, 4:15 PM EDT
In force
38 min
Issued by
NWS Wilmington, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Bladen County, NC, Columbus County, NC, Pender County, NC

The radar

The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 68 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:38 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Apr 28, 3:55 PM EDTFUNNEL CLOUDKelly, NCFUNNEL CLOUD SITED NEAR KELLY.
Apr 28, 4:07 PM EDTHAIL 16 Ne Atkinson, NCHAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS WAS REPORTED ALONG U.S. 421.
Apr 28, 4:12 PM EDTFUNNEL CLOUDAtkinson, NCFUNNEL CLOUD REPORTED.
Apr 28, 4:20 PM EDTTORNADOAtkinson, NCTORNADO ON THE GROUND NEAR BOSWELL RD AND CASWELL RD HEADING TOWARD HWY 421.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

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

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Apr 28, 8:48 AM EDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr
Apr 28, 3:19 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC4 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Newport, NC (KMHX), launched 12:00Z, 7.6 hours before the alert went out and 123 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 2011-04-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1638 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 2011-04-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 227 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
1638 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-4 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
502 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
29 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
227 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
220 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.0
Supercell composite
6.8

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

018 
WFUS52 KILM 281937
TORILM
NCC017-047-141-282015-
/O.NEW.KILM.TO.W.0021.110428T1937Z-110428T2015Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
337 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN AND WESTERN PENDER COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA     
  SOUTHEASTERN BLADEN COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA             
  NORTHEASTERN COLUMBUS COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 415 PM EDT

* AT 335 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A 
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR LAKE       
  WACCAMAW...MOVING NORTHEAST   AT 45 MPH.

* SOME LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
   CARVERS...
   KELLY...
   ROWAN...
   POINT CASWELL...
   ROOKS...
   WARDS CORNER...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 
GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCED
BUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOW
SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

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.

&&

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 7855 3442 7873 3468 7834 3466 7832
      3462 7831 3456 7825 3472 7812 3473 7769
      3467 7766 3466 7766
TIME...MOT...LOC 1936Z 235DEG 41KT 3439 7852

$$

SRP
3 follow-up statements
696 
WWUS52 KILM 281947
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
347 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC017-047-141-282015-
/O.CON.KILM.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-110428T2015Z/
COLUMBUS NC-BLADEN NC-PENDER NC-
347 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN 
AND WESTERN PENDER SOUTHEASTERN BLADEN AND NORTHEASTERN COLUMBUS 
COUNTIES...

...THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION...

AT 345 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR COUNCIL...OR ABOUT 
2 MILES SOUTH OF CARVERS...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO EAST
ARCADIA...LAGOON...KELLY...ROWAN...POINT CASWELL...ROOKS...
ATKINSON...CURRIE...MALPASS CORNER...WARDS CORNER...VAN EDEN...MURRAY
TOWN...WILLARD...PENDERLEA...MAPLE HILL...WATHA AND BURGAW.

TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM!

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

TAKE SHELTER NOW!

&&

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 7855 3442 7873 3468 7834 3466 7832
      3462 7831 3456 7825 3472 7812 3473 7769
      3467 7766 3466 7766
TIME...MOT...LOC 1946Z 235DEG 41KT 3445 7840

$$

SRP
145 
WWUS52 KILM 281958
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
358 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC047-282007-
/O.CAN.KILM.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-110428T2015Z/
COLUMBUS NC-
358 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN COLUMBUS COUNTY IS
CANCELED...

THE TORNADO HAS MOVED OUT OF COLUMBUS COUNTY...AND INTO BLADEN 
COUNTY.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT THIS 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 3436 7834 3445 7852 3460 7829 3456 7825
      3467 7817 3470 7812 3472 7812 3472 7787
      3473 7769 3467 7766 3466 7766
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 235DEG 41KT 3451 7827

$$

NCC017-141-282015-
/O.CON.KILM.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-110428T2015Z/
BLADEN NC-PENDER NC-
358 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 415 PM EDT FOR NORTHERN
PENDER AND SOUTHEASTERN BLADEN COUNTIES...

...THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION...

AT 357 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR KELLY...MOVING 
NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO POINT
CASWELL...ROOKS...ATKINSON...MALPASS CORNER...WARDS CORNER...VAN
EDEN...MURRAY TOWN...WILLARD...PENDERLEA...MAPLE HILL...WATHA AND
BURGAW.

TAKE SHELTER IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM NOW!

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 TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM EDT THURSDAY AFTERNOON
FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA. A TORNADO
WATCH ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT THURSDAY 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 3436 7834 3445 7852 3460 7829 3456 7825
      3467 7817 3470 7812 3472 7812 3472 7787
      3473 7769 3467 7766 3466 7766
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 235DEG 41KT 3451 7827

$$

SRP
229 
WWUS52 KILM 282015
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
415 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

NCC017-141-282024-
/O.EXP.KILM.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-110428T2015Z/
BLADEN NC-PENDER NC-
415 PM EDT THU APR 28 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN BLADEN COUNTY WILL EXPIRE 
AT 415 PM EDT...

AT 413 PM EDT...THE TORNADO WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAS MOVED OUT 
OF THE WARNED AREA AND INTO WESTERN PENDER COUNTY...THUS THE TORNADO 
WARNING WAS ALLOWED TO EXPIRE FOR BLADEN COUNTY.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT THIS 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 3436 7834 3445 7852 3460 7829 3456 7825
      3467 7817 3470 7812 3472 7812 3472 7787
      3473 7769 3467 7766 3466 7766
TIME...MOT...LOC 2014Z 235DEG 41KT 3461 7807

$$

SRP

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 28, 9:06 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBladen54 min
Apr 28, 9:32 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBladen28 min
Apr 28, 9:40 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick, Columbus50 min
Apr 28, 9:43 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBladen62 min
Apr 28, 10:18 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMPender57 min
Apr 28, 11:33 AM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMRobeson57 min
Apr 28, 12:15 PM EDTTornado WarningILMRobeson34 min
Apr 28, 12:42 PM EDTTornado WarningILMBladen, Columbus, Robeson48 min
Apr 28, 1:02 PM EDTTornado WarningILMBladen, Robeson43 min
Apr 28, 1:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBladen, Robeson54 min
Apr 28, 2:01 PM EDTTornado WarningILMBladen44 min
Apr 28, 2:24 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMColumbus, Robeson51 min
Apr 28, 2:52 PM EDTTornado WarningILMBladen, Columbus38 min
Apr 28, 3:24 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMBladen, Columbus, Pender51 min
Apr 28, 4:10 PM EDTTornado WarningILMPender40 min
Apr 28, 4:22 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBladen23 min
Apr 28, 4:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMPender41 min
Apr 28, 5:13 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMPender32 min
Apr 28, 5:36 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMPender24 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 2011Every tornado warning in 2011Tornadoes in 2011

Sources

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