Alert archive / North Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2011

Tornado Warning 21, NWS Raleigh, NC

April 16, 2011Cumberland County, Harnett County, Sampson County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this tornado warning at Apr 16, 2011, 3:53 PM EDT for Cumberland County, Harnett County, Sampson County, North Carolina. It was in force for 37 min. 11 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, 3:53 PM EDT (19:53 UTC)
Expired: Apr 16, 2011, 4:30 PM EDT
In force: 37 min
Issued by: NWS Raleigh, NC
Area: Storm-based polygon
Emergency: Tornado emergency

Counties Cumberland County, NC, Harnett County, NC, Sampson County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 49 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:54 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Apr 16, 3:55 PM EDT	TSTM WND GST 79	Ft Bragg Simmons Aaf, NC
Apr 16, 4:03 PM EDT	TORNADO	Wade, NC	REPORTED TORNADO ON GROUND AT RIVER ROAD IN WADE
Apr 16, 4:05 PM EDT	TORNADO	2 Wnw Godwin, NC	* 1 FATAL * NUMEROUS HOMES DAMAGED TO DESTROYED NEAR LINDEN. ONE FATALITY WITH NUMEROUS SERIOUS INJURIES.
Apr 16, 4:15 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	4 Sse Dunn, NC	ROOF BLOWN OFF... TREES IN ROAD
Apr 16, 4:15 PM EDT	TORNADO	4 Sse Dunn, NC	ROOF BLOWN OFF... TREES IN ROAD
Apr 16, 4:18 PM EDT	TORNADO	Dunn, NC	TREE ON HOUSE. HOUSE DESTROYED.
Apr 16, 4:20 PM EDT	HAIL 1.25	Dunn, NC	TIME ESTIMATED.
Apr 16, 4:20 PM EDT	TORNADO	1 S Dunn, NC	STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. ROOF OFF FOOD LION GROCERY STORE AND FRONT WINDOW BLOWN OUT. NUMEROUS CARS WITH WINDOWS BLOWN OUT. LARGE TREES UPROOTED.
Apr 16, 4:20 PM EDT	TORNADO	3 Ssw Benson, NC	TRAILERS AND OTHER BUILDINGS DAMAGED AT FOUNDATIONS BIBLE COLLEGE.
Apr 16, 4:20 PM EDT	TORNADO	4 Nnw Spivey'S Corner, NC	2 HOUSES GONE NEAR DRAGSTRUP ROAD AND HIGHWAY 242
Apr 16, 4:22 PM EDT	TORNADO	2 E Dunn, NC	MULTIPLE BUILDING DESTROYED AT HIGHWAY 301 AND WISE ROAD.

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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Apr 16, 12:02 PM EDT	Tornado Watch PDS	SPC	11 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 12:00Z, 7.9 hours before the alert went out and 146 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL: 516 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 54 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 605 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 909 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.

932 
WFUS52 KRAH 161953
TORRAH
NCC051-085-163-162030-
/O.NEW.KRAH.TO.W.0021.110416T1953Z-110416T2030Z/

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

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RALEIGH HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
  NORTHERN CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
  NORTHWESTERN SAMPSON COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA
  SOUTHEASTERN HARNETT COUNTY IN CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA

* UNTIL 430 PM EDT

* AT 349 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  TORNADO OVER BONNIE DOONE...OR OVER FORT BRAGG...MOVING NORTHEAST
  AT 40 MPH. QUARTER SIZED HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 58
  MPH ARE ALSO LIKELY WITH THIS STORM.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
  EASTOVER...
  WADE...
  LINDEN...
  GODWIN...FALCON...
  DUNN...ERWIN...
  SPIVEY'S CORNER...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...VEHICLE OR
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS
AVAILABLE LIE DOWN IN A LOW LYING AREA. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING
DEBRIS.

PLEASE REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BY
CALLING...1...8 7 7...6 3 3...6 7 7 2 OR NOTIFY YOUR LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

&&

LAT...LON 3518 7906 3540 7860 3534 7854 3532 7854
      3527 7850 3525 7846 3525 7841 3524 7840
      3502 7896
TIME...MOT...LOC 1954Z 242DEG 36KT 3515 7890

$$

VINCENT

2 follow-up statements

326 
WWUS52 KRAH 161958
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
ISSUED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
358 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

NCC051-085-163-162030-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-110416T2030Z/
CUMBERLAND NC-SAMPSON NC-HARNETT NC-
358 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN HARNETT...NORTHWESTERN SAMPSON AND NORTHERN CUMBERLAND
COUNTIES...

AT 354 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO 
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION.  THIS STORM 
WAS LOCATED NEAR BONNIE DOONE...OR NEAR FAYETTEVILLE...MOVING 
NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
  LINDEN AND WADE BY 410 PM EDT...
  GODWIN AND FALCON BY 415 PM EDT...
  ERWIN BY 420 PM EDT...
  DUNN AND SPIVEY'S CORNER BY 425 PM EDT...

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.

LAT...LON 3518 7906 3540 7860 3534 7854 3532 7854
      3527 7850 3525 7846 3525 7841 3524 7840
      3502 7896
TIME...MOT...LOC 1957Z 242DEG 36KT 3515 7888

$$

252 
WWUS52 KRAH 162008
SVSRAH

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
408 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

NCC051-085-163-162030-
/O.CON.KRAH.TO.W.0021.000000T0000Z-110416T2030Z/
CUMBERLAND NC-SAMPSON NC-HARNETT NC-
408 PM EDT SAT APR 16 2011

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM EDT FOR EAST
CENTRAL HARNETT...NORTHWESTERN SAMPSON AND NORTH CENTRAL CUMBERLAND
COUNTIES...

AT 403 PM EDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO.  THIS
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR LINDEN...OR 11 MILES NORTHEAST OF
FAYETTEVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH.

HAZARDS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
A TORNADO.
OTHER DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.

THIS IS A TORNADO EMERGENCY FOR LINDEN AND GODWIN.

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. TAKE 
COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A STURDY 
BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...VEHICLE OR 
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS 
AVAILABLE LIE DOWN IN A LOW LYING AREA. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING 
DEBRIS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT SATURDAY EVENING
FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

LAT...LON 3526 7889 3540 7860 3535 7856 3534 7854
      3532 7854 3526 7849 3525 7841 3524 7840
      3509 7877
TIME...MOT...LOC 2008Z 235DEG 41KT 3524 7875

$$

VINCENT

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 16, 8:44 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RAH	Anson, Davidson, Guilford, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph and 1 more	61 min
Apr 16, 12:17 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RAH	Davidson, Forsyth	43 min
Apr 16, 12:26 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Davidson	64 min
Apr 16, 12:43 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Davidson	47 min
Apr 16, 12:45 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RAH	Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Richmond, Scotland	60 min
Apr 16, 1:03 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Anson, Stanly	27 min
Apr 16, 1:07 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Guilford, Randolph	53 min
Apr 16, 1:08 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Hoke, Scotland	37 min
Apr 16, 1:22 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Anson, Stanly	53 min
Apr 16, 1:26 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Harnett, Lee, Moore	28 min
Apr 16, 1:39 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Randolph	21 min
Apr 16, 1:42 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RAH	Guilford, Randolph	3 hr
Apr 16, 1:43 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Alamance	62 min
Apr 16, 1:46 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Montgomery, Moore, Richmond	59 min
Apr 16, 2:02 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Alamance	18 min
Apr 16, 2:05 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Chatham, Guilford, Randolph	55 min
Apr 16, 2:14 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RAH	Alamance	3 hr
Apr 16, 2:16 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Alamance	29 min
Apr 16, 2:17 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Orange, Person	58 min
Apr 16, 2:25 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Orange	35 min
Apr 16, 2:34 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Person	22 min
Apr 16, 2:36 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Person	24 min
Apr 16, 2:43 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Chatham, Lee, Moore	47 min
Apr 16, 2:44 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RAH	Durham, Granville, Orange, Person	2 hr
Apr 16, 2:49 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Hoke, Richmond, Scotland	41 min
Apr 16, 3:02 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Hoke, Scotland	43 min
Apr 16, 3:05 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Durham, Granville, Person, Wake	40 min
Apr 16, 3:06 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RAH	Guilford	110 min
Apr 16, 3:12 PM EDT	Tornado Warning Emergency	RAH	Chatham, Durham, Harnett, Lee, Wake	48 min
Apr 16, 3:25 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Granville, Vance	50 min
Apr 16, 3:26 PM EDT	Tornado Warning Emergency	RAH	Cumberland, Hoke	49 min
Apr 16, 3:38 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RAH	Cumberland, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Harnett and 11 more	3 hr
Apr 16, 3:38 PM EDT	Tornado Warning Emergency	RAH	Franklin, Nash, Wake	37 min
Apr 16, 3:42 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Cumberland, Sampson	48 min
Apr 16, 3:57 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Franklin, Granville, Vance, Warren	48 min
Apr 16, 3:59 PM EDT	Tornado Warning Emergency	RAH	Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Vance, Wake	46 min
Apr 16, 4:15 PM EDT	Tornado Warning Emergency	RAH	Harnett, Johnston, Sampson	45 min
Apr 16, 4:25 PM EDT	Tornado Warning Emergency	RAH	Franklin, Halifax, Nash, Warren	50 min
Apr 16, 4:29 PM EDT	Tornado Warning Emergency	RAH	Cumberland, Sampson	31 min
Apr 16, 4:53 PM EDT	Tornado Warning Emergency	RAH	Johnston, Nash, Wilson	52 min
Apr 16, 4:59 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Sampson, Wayne	46 min
Apr 16, 5:02 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Franklin, Wake	58 min
Apr 16, 5:12 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Halifax	18 min
Apr 16, 5:23 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Sampson	41 min
Apr 16, 5:25 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Edgecombe, Nash, Wilson	30 min
Apr 16, 5:30 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Wayne	14 min
Apr 16, 5:41 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Franklin, Nash, Wilson	34 min
Apr 16, 5:51 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash	42 min
Apr 16, 5:51 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Wayne, Wilson	24 min
Apr 16, 5:58 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Wayne	32 min
Apr 16, 6:08 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Sampson	17 min
Apr 16, 6:11 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RAH	Sampson, Wayne	20 min
Apr 16, 6:20 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RAH	Wayne	10 min
Apr 16, 7:43 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RAH	Edgecombe, Halifax, Sampson, Wayne, Wilson	47 min

Nearby

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