Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 4, NWS Wilmington, NC

April 16, 2011Bladen County, Columbus County, Robeson County, North Carolina; Dillon County, Horry County, Marion County, South Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this tornado warning at Apr 16, 2011, 4:17 PM EDT for Bladen County, Columbus County, Robeson County, North Carolina; Dillon County, Horry County, Marion County, South Carolina. It was in force for 58 min. 2 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 16, 2011, 4:17 PM EDT (20:17 UTC)
Expired
Apr 16, 2011, 5:15 PM EDT
In force
58 min
Issued by
NWS Wilmington, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon

Counties Bladen County, NC, Columbus County, NC, Robeson County, NC, Dillon County, SC, Horry County, SC, Marion County, SC

The radar

The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 77 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:21 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 16, 4:58 PM EDTTORNADOBladenboro, NC*** 1 FATAL *** SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AND 1 FATALITY IN BLADENBORO AREA.
Apr 16, 5:04 PM EDTTORNADO1 E Bladenboro, NCFIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TORNADO ON THE GROUND WITH MAJOR DAMAGE.

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 16, 12:02 PM EDTTornado Watch PDSSPC11 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Newport, NC (KMHX), launched 12:00Z, 8.3 hours before the alert went out and 193 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 2011-04-16Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 7 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 2011-04-16The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 201 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
7 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-6 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
824 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
47 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
201 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
308 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

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

570 
WFUS52 KILM 162017
TORILM
NCC017-047-155-SCC033-051-067-162115-
/O.NEW.KILM.TO.W.0004.110416T2017Z-110416T2115Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
417 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON NC HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN HORRY COUNTY IN NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA
  NORTHEASTERN MARION COUNTY IN NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA
  EASTERN DILLON COUNTY IN NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA
  SOUTHERN ROBESON COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA
  SOUTHWESTERN BLADEN COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA
  NORTHWESTERN COLUMBUS COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 515 PM EDT

* AT 412 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR FLOYDALE...
  OR ABOUT 8 MILES SOUTH OF DILLON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

* SOME LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
   KEMPER...
   FAIR BLUFF...
   BARNESVILLE...
   BOARDMAN...
   EVERGREEN...
   BLADENBORO...

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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 900 PM EDT SATURDAY 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 3479 7877 3440 7852 3417 7932 3442 7947
TIME...MOT...LOC 2017Z 242DEG 42KT 3434 7930

$$

REK
3 follow-up statements
251 
WWUS52 KILM 162036
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
436 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

SCC033-051-067-162045-
/O.CAN.KILM.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-110416T2115Z/
DILLON SC-MARION SC-HORRY SC-
436 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR EXTREME NORTH CENTRAL HORRY...NORTHEASTERN
MARION AND EASTERN DILLON COUNTIES IS CANCELED...

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY 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 7901 3450 7930 3479 7877 3440 7852
TIME...MOT...LOC 2035Z 242DEG 42KT 3444 7907

$$

NCC017-047-155-162115-
/O.CON.KILM.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-110416T2115Z/
COLUMBUS NC-BLADEN NC-ROBESON NC-
436 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM EDT FOR SOUTHERN
ROBESON...WESTERN BLADEN AND NORTHWESTERN COLUMBUS COUNTIES...

AT 433 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BARNESVILLE...OR
15 MILES SOUTH OF LUMBERTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
PROCTORVILLE...CERRO GORDO...ORRUM...BOARDMAN...EVERGREEN...
CHADBOURN...HESTERTOWN...HOWELLSVILLE...SMITHS...BLADENBORO...
ABBOTTSBURG...CLARKTON...TAR HEEL...DUBLIN AND ELKTON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY 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 7901 3450 7930 3479 7877 3440 7852
TIME...MOT...LOC 2035Z 242DEG 42KT 3444 7907

$$

REK
222 
WWUS52 KILM 162049
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
449 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

NCC017-047-155-162115-
/O.CON.KILM.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-110416T2115Z/
COLUMBUS NC-BLADEN NC-ROBESON NC-
449 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM EDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL ROBESON...WESTERN BLADEN AND NORTHWESTERN COLUMBUS
COUNTIES...

AT 446 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A TORNADO.  THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BOARDMAN...OR 10
MILES SOUTHEAST OF LUMBERTON...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO SMITHS...
BLADENBORO...ABBOTTSBURG...CLARKTON...TAR HEEL...DUBLIN AND ELKTON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY 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 3437 7893 3458 7909 3479 7877 3440 7852
TIME...MOT...LOC 2049Z 242DEG 42KT 3452 7889

$$

REK
052 
WWUS52 KILM 162108
SVSILM

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON NC
508 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

NCC017-047-155-162115-
/O.CON.KILM.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-110416T2115Z/
COLUMBUS NC-BLADEN NC-ROBESON NC-
508 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM EDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL ROBESON...WESTERN BLADEN AND NORTHWESTERN COLUMBUS
COUNTIES...

AT 507 PM EDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR DUBLIN...OR 3 MILES WEST OF ELIZABETHTOWN...
MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY 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 3437 7893 3458 7909 3479 7877 3440 7852
TIME...MOT...LOC 2108Z 242DEG 42KT 3462 7865

$$

REK

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Apr 16, 12:07 PM EDTTornado WarningILMColumbus, Robeson37 min
Apr 16, 3:15 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMBladen, Robeson70 min
Apr 16, 3:27 PM EDTTornado WarningILMBladen, Robeson48 min
Apr 16, 4:53 PM EDTTornado WarningILMBladen, Columbus, Robeson45 min
Apr 16, 5:03 PM EDTTornado WarningILMBladen, Columbus, Robeson57 min
Apr 16, 5:42 PM EDTTornado WarningILMBladen, Columbus, Pender29 min
Apr 16, 5:48 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMBrunswick, Columbus42 min
Apr 16, 6:26 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMBladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Pender39 min
Apr 16, 6:34 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMBladen11 min
Apr 16, 7:01 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMBladen, Columbus, Robeson34 min
Apr 16, 7:13 PM EDTTornado WarningILMBrunswick, New Hanover, Pender32 min
Apr 16, 7:43 PM EDTTornado WarningILMPender17 min
Apr 16, 1:16 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMHorry29 min
Apr 16, 2:16 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMDarlington, Dillon, Florence, Marlboro44 min
Apr 16, 2:48 PM EDTTornado WarningILMDarlington, Dillon, Marlboro42 min
Apr 16, 3:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMDillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Williamsburg35 min
Apr 16, 4:18 PM EDTTornado WarningILMFlorence, Williamsburg42 min
Apr 16, 4:49 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMDillon, Florence, Horry, Marion, Williamsburg41 min
Apr 16, 5:03 PM EDTTornado WarningILMFlorence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Williamsburg42 min
Apr 16, 5:28 PM EDTTornado WarningILMGeorgetown, Williamsburg47 min
Apr 16, 6:19 PM EDTTornado WarningILMGeorgetown26 min
Apr 16, 6:47 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM43 min
Apr 16, 7:10 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM110 min
Apr 16, 7:48 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM57 min

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in North Carolina, 2011Tornado Warnings in South 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.