Southern North Carolina Tornado
The deadliest tornado of the outbreak struck a primarily rural area in Columbus County in southern North Carolina, just west of Wilmington, on the morning of November 16. It touched down at 6:37 am EST (1137 UTC) according to the Storm Prediction Center.
The tornado first touched down in the community of Riegelwood, where the most significant damage was reported. The most devastating impact took place in a mobile home park, resulting in at least 8 deaths and at least 20 injuries, of which at least five were in critical condition after the tornado hit. At least 30 houses were destroyed and some were flattened, according to a news conference with Governor Mike Easley. At the peak of the storm, 40,000 people were without electricity; most of them were quickly restored. The tornado was 300 yards (270 m) wide at its widest point and was confirmed as an F3 on the Fujita scale for about one mile.
The tornado continued eastward for 7 miles (11 km) as a much weaker and narrower tornado with F1 damage. Nonetheless, as it tracked into Pender County, three more houses were damaged before it dissipated.
At 5:00 pm EST (2200 UTC), the chair of the Columbus County Commission confirmed there was an eighth fatality. A shelter was opened that afternoon for victims as well. This tornado was the second-deadliest tornado in North Carolina in the past 50 years.
Read more about this topic: Mid-November 2006 Tornado Outbreak
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