Alert archive / North Carolina / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 15, NWS Wilmington, NC

May 11, 2026Columbus County, North Carolina; Horry County, South Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 11, 2026, 2:46 PM EDT for Columbus County, North Carolina; Horry County, South Carolina. It was in force for 29 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
May 11, 2026, 2:46 PM EDT (18:46 UTC)
Expired
May 11, 2026, 3:15 PM EDT
In force
29 min
Issued by
NWS Wilmington, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Hail
1.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Columbus County, NC, Horry County, SC

The radar

The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 37 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:46 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 nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 6.8 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, Charleston AFB, SC at 12:00Z on 2026-05-11Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 459 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Charleston AFB, SC at 12:00Z on 2026-05-11The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 54 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
459 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-57 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
988 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
40 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
54 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
85 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.1
Supercell composite
1.4

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Wilmington, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 11, 2:38 PM EDT, 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 11, 2:38 PM EDT, 8 minutes before
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In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 11, 12:49 PM EDT, 1 hour 57 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
1249 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

NCZ109-110-111715-
Inland Brunswick NC-Coastal Brunswick NC-
1249 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN BRUNSWICK COUNTY
THROUGH 115 PM EDT...

At 1249 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Shallotte, moving northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Shallotte, Civie Town, Russtown, Supply, Brunswick County Community
College Main Campus, Bolivia, and Brunswick Novant Medical Center.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3398 7807 3394 7836 3395 7837 3394 7837
      3393 7842 3400 7846 3415 7822
TIME...MOT...LOC 1649Z 243DEG 16KT 3399 7840

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

21
Special weather statement, May 11, 12:52 PM EDT, 1 hour 54 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
1252 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

NCZ105-111730-
Inland Pender NC-
1252 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN PENDER COUNTY
THROUGH 130 PM EDT...

At 1252 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Harrells, or 7 miles west of Wallace, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Penderlea, Willard, Maple Hill, and Watha.

This includes Interstate 40 between mile markers 388 and 394.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3462 7799 3467 7816 3471 7811 3472 7811
      3473 7802 3471 7798 3472 7794 3472 7768
      3467 7766 3467 7769
TIME...MOT...LOC 1652Z 255DEG 33KT 3475 7812

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

21
Special weather statement, May 11, 1:17 PM EDT, 1 hour 29 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
117 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

SCZ032-033-039-055-058-059-111800-
Marion SC-Northern Horry SC-Williamsburg SC-Florence SC-
Inland Georgetown SC-Central Horry SC-
117 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN FLORENCE...NORTH
CENTRAL GEORGETOWN...SOUTHWESTERN HORRY...SOUTHWESTERN MARION AND
NORTHEASTERN WILLIAMSBURG COUNTIES THROUGH 200 PM EDT...

At 117 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Hemingway, or 19 miles southeast of Lake City, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Horry, Johnsonville, Hemingway, Pee Dee Crossroads, Poston, Brittons
Neck, Dongola, Outland, Gresham, Henry, Kingsburg, Bucksport, Aynor,
and Stuckey.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3368 7952 3390 7955 3406 7912 3367 7907
TIME...MOT...LOC 1717Z 259DEG 24KT 3374 7945

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

21
Special weather statement, May 11, 1:54 PM EDT, 52 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
154 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

SCZ054-055-058-111845-
Coastal Horry SC-Inland Georgetown SC-Central Horry SC-
154 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN GEORGETOWN AND
SOUTHERN HORRY COUNTIES THROUGH 245 PM EDT...

At 154 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Bucksville, or near Red Hill, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Myrtle Beach, Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach Airport,
Socastee, North Myrtle Beach Airport, Red Hill, Horry Georgetown
Technical College Conway Campus, Bucksville, Hand, Barefoot Landing
Area Of North Myrtle Beach, Nixonville, Bucksport, Dongola, Wampee,
Forestbrook, Coastal Carolina University, Briarcliffe Acres, Atlantic
Beach, and Sea Coast Medical Center.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3366 7919 3372 7919 3385 7922 3389 7865
      3382 7867 3375 7881 3362 7896
TIME...MOT...LOC 1754Z 269DEG 27KT 3374 7910

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

21
Special weather statement, May 11, 1:58 PM EDT, 48 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
158 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

NCZ087-099-SCZ024-033-059-111830-
Robeson NC-Columbus NC-Marion SC-Northern Horry SC-Dillon SC-
158 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN ROBESON...WEST CENTRAL
COLUMBUS...SOUTHEASTERN DILLON...NORTHWESTERN HORRY AND NORTHEASTERN
MARION COUNTIES THROUGH 230 PM EDT...

At 158 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Zion, or near Marion, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Marion, Mullins, Fair Bluff, Lake View, Fork, Zion, Smithboro,
Kemper, Gapway, Green Sea, Nichols, and Carolinas Hospital System -
Marion.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3416 7946 3430 7945 3438 7898 3411 7897
TIME...MOT...LOC 1758Z 268DEG 25KT 3424 7935

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

21
Special weather statement, May 11, 2:15 PM EDT, 31 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
215 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

SCZ039-111900-
Williamsburg SC-
215 PM EDT Mon May 11 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY
THROUGH 300 PM EDT...

At 214 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Kingstree, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Kingstree, Salters, Warsaw, Morrisville, Nesmith, Indiantown, Cades,
Stuckey, and Williamsburg Regional Hospital.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3370 8000 3372 7998 3377 8000 3380 7957
      3378 7950 3378 7949 3349 7954 3349 7955
      3360 8005
TIME...MOT...LOC 1814Z 273DEG 27KT 3367 7995

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

21

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 11, 11:26 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBladen49 min
May 11, 11:55 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick35 min
May 11, 12:33 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMBrunswick, New Hanover, Pender57 min
May 11, 12:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick26 min
May 11, 12:51 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM54 min
May 11, 12:52 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMPender38 min
May 11, 1:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMPender40 min
May 11, 1:37 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM98 min
May 11, 2:09 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM66 min
May 11, 2:16 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMColumbus59 min
May 11, 2:53 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM67 min
May 11, 3:14 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMBrunswick46 min
May 11, 3:15 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM60 min
May 11, 3:41 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM94 min
May 11, 3:45 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM90 min
May 11, 4:11 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM64 min
May 11, 4:58 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM29 min
May 11, 5:11 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM34 min
May 11, 5:21 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningILM114 min
May 11, 1:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMMarion43 min
May 11, 1:54 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMHorry51 min
May 11, 1:56 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMHorry44 min
May 11, 1:58 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMDillon32 min
May 11, 2:15 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMWilliamsburg45 min
May 11, 2:32 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningILMGeorgetown, Williamsburg58 min
May 11, 3:18 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMGeorgetown27 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in North Carolina, 2026Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in South Carolina, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

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.