Mars Hill, NC – Two EF-0 tornadoes were confirmed in Madison County during early morning storms on March 16, causing localized tree damage near Mars Hill and Paint Fork.
According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, both tornadoes occurred within minutes of each other along and near the Interstate 26 corridor.
The first tornado touched down just south of Mars Hill between 7:11 a.m. and 7:12 a.m. EDT. It produced peak winds of approximately 75 mph and traveled about 0.44 miles, snapping branches and uprooting a few trees before dissipating.
A second EF-0 tornado formed shortly after near Paint Fork between 7:15 a.m. and 7:18 a.m. EDT. This tornado was slightly stronger, with estimated peak winds of 80 mph and a longer path of 2.32 miles. Damage included multiple uprooted and snapped trees as the storm moved through rugged terrain.
Both tornadoes had maximum widths of about 50 yards and resulted in no reported injuries or fatalities.
The National Weather Service noted that terrain influences in the mountainous region contributed to the brief and relatively weak nature of the tornadoes.
Even weak tornadoes can cause localized damage, especially in wooded and rural areas, and may briefly impact roadways and morning travel.
