Jacksonville, North Carolina – A brief tornado touched down in eastern North Carolina Thursday afternoon, damaging a building in Jacksonville as severe storms moved across Onslow County.
According to the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, a storm survey determined the tornado reached EF-0 intensity with estimated peak winds of 85 mph. The tornado occurred between 2:16 p.m. and 2:17 p.m. Thursday, lasting about one minute.
Survey teams reported the tornado began about one mile south-southwest of Jacksonville and ended near the same area, carving a short path through the city.
Meteorologists measured a damage path roughly 0.15 miles long and about 20 yards wide. The strongest winds tore sections of roofing and siding from a structure, with debris scattered around the property.
Jacksonville, located in Onslow County near the North Carolina coast, saw the tornado develop quickly within a line of strong thunderstorms moving across the region.
Despite the structural damage, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
The tornado has been preliminarily rated EF-0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the lowest category of tornado strength, which includes wind speeds up to 85 mph. Additional details could be released if further damage reports emerge.
