North Carolina, 2019

Damaging Winds in North Carolina, July 17, 2019

July 17, 2019 · NWS RAH · 6 events in 2 counties and zones

Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a surface front, containing the weak remnants of Barry, associated with a mid level trough as it moved into the central and southern Appalachians. A wet atmosphere with moderate instability and good low level lapse rates increased the chances for strong downbursts.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$79,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
6

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS RAH wrote it up.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of a surface front, containing the weak remnants of Barry, associated with a mid level trough as it moved into the central and southern Appalachians. A wet atmosphere with moderate instability and good low level lapse rates increased the chances for strong downbursts. A couple of storms became severe, producing downburst that resulted in scattered wind damage across Johnston county.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 17, 2:05 PM EST, 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 17, 2:05 PM EST, 28 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 17, 2:20 AM EST, 12 hours 13 minutes before
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In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 17, 2:23 PM EST, 10 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Jul 17, 2:27 PM EST, 6 minutes before
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The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 59 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:31 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Harnett

When
July 17, 2:33 PM EST
Where
Harnett County, 2.98 mi SSW of Seminole
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
35.390, -79.050

One tree was blown down onto a house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnston

When
July 17, 4:31 PM EST
Where
Johnston County, 5.28 mi WSW of Wilsons Mills
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
35.540, -78.450

Numerous trees were blown down along Cleveland Road. At least six trees damaged structures on Hazelnut Lane, Brazil Nut Lane and Lee Trace Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnston

When
July 17, 10:40 PM EST to 10:47 PM EST
Where
Johnston County, 2.18 mi NW of Coats Xrds to 1.32 mi WNW of Coats Xrds
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
35.540, -78.580

A couple of trees were blown down near Coats Crossroads, one on NC-50 near Old Lee Road and the other on Interstate 40 at mile marker 317.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnston

When
July 17, 10:42 PM EST to 10:50 PM EST
Where
Johnston County, 4.47 mi SSW of Clayton to 1.82 mi ESE of Drug Store
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
35.590, -78.500

A couple of trees were blown down between Coats Crossroads and Clayton, one at 93 Spaniel Lane and the other on Cleveland Road near North Shiloh Road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnston

When
July 17, 10:55 PM EST
Where
Johnston County, 2.76 mi S of Clayton
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Utility Company
Coordinates
35.610, -78.470

Multiple trees were blown down onto power lines near the intersection of Twin Acres Road and Knights Bridge Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnston

When
July 17, 10:56 PM EST to 11:00 PM EST
Where
Johnston County, 5.1 mi W of Wilsons Mills to 1.32 mi ESE of Wilsons Mills
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
35.570, -78.460

Several trees were blown down along a swath from 159 Strickland Road to Wilson's Mills Road. Multiple trees were blown down onto power lines. Additionally, the roof of a shed was blown off on Steel Bridge Road.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in North Carolina in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, July 2019

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 844768, 844769, 844770, 844771, 844772, 844773.