Power Outage in Whiteville, NC

Tropical storm force wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph associated with Hurricane Ian resulted in numerous downed trees and powerlines across the county. Two homes were damaged by downed trees There were scattered power outages across the coutny. Rainfall amounts averaged 2 to 3.5 inches.

A tornado was spotted just off of Soles Road in Columbus |County at 8:10 am. After touching down at the corner of a |field, the tornado proceeded north through a wooded area. |Several agricultural sheds next to the the wooded area |along Soles Road were completely destroyed after being |recently renovated. Metal debris from the buildings was |scattered across Soles Road and down the length of |Tanglewood Acres Drive. Some metal debris was wrapped |around large diameter trees whose trunks were snapped or |uprooted. Damage indicates that the tornado began to lift |on the north side of Soles Road with the tops of trees |completely broken off. Damage continued down the length |of Tanglewood Drive with numerous trees and large branches |down. Residents reported downed power lines and roof damage.

Trees and power lines were blown down on Canal Cove Rd.

Trees and power lines were reported down near the intersection of Dock Rd. and New Britton Highway.

Hurricane Matthew moved up the eastern seaboard, bringing very heavy rain and wind to the region. The peak wind for the county occurred at Whiteville, with a measured gust of 59 mph. Tropical storm force winds and flooded ground caused widespread tree and power line damage. Trees fell across some roadways to include Madison Street. Rainfall was substantial, with amounts ranging from 8 to 13 inches and as much as 18 inches. Major river flooding occurred in the western portion of the county along the Lumber River, particularly in the town of Fair Bluff where 85 percent of the town was under water resulting in massive evacuations. Highways 701, 74, and 130 all experienced lengthy road closures due to flooding. The Crusoe Island community, south of Lake Waccamaw experienced significant flooding. One man died in Nakina when he left his son's house and never returned home. The time of death is believed to be around 530 pm on October 9. His truck was discovered a few days later on Gore Chapel Road. He died in the flood waters associated with the Waccamaw River. Columbus County Emergency Management estimated more than 91 million dollars in storm damage across the county.

Trees were reported down on power lines.

The combination of strong gradient winds and wet ground knocked a tree down across a power line on Carl Stephens Road.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey team concluded an EF-1 tornado touched down on the north side of Highway 74, initially snapping approximately 100 pine trees. The tornado, with winds estimated to 105 mph then moved southeast and crossed Highway 74 causing significant structural damage to a single wide mobile home and adjacent buildings. Numerous large pine trees were snapped in the vicinity as well. One occupant in the home when the tornado struck quickly found cover and was unharmed. The tornado then snapped large pine trees as it moved through forest. Some of these fallen trees blocked Robinson Road. Additional trees were snapped and large limbs broken as the tornado crossed Spearman Road and several power lines were down in the area. Damage became less severe as the tornado approached Byrdville-Freeman Road and it appears the tornado briefly lifted before touching down again along Swimming Hole Road. Several large pine trees and cedar trees were snapped. A few large hardwoods were also uprooted before the tornado lifted near the intersection of Dogwood Stand Road and JM Bordeaux Lane.

A mixture of light freezing rain and sleet began falling the morning of February 11th. After a lull in the action, another round of light freezing rain fell on the 12th, and ended on the 13th. Ice accumulations ranged from a half inch to three quarters of an inch. Driving conditions proved to be hazardous, and there were numerous power outages due to downed limbs and power lines.

A mixture of freezing rain and sleet began falling the afternoon of Jan 28th, changing over to mostly sleet overnight, and tapered off to flurries the morning of the 29th. Total ice accumulations ranged from a tenth of an inch to a half inch, and snow and sleet accumulations in the county ranged from one to two inches. Due to the nature of the precipitation, power outages were isolated, however driving was treacherous. Numerous traffic accidents were reported as well as injuries due to slips and falls.

A large tree fell onto a power line, taking the power line down as well.

A large pine tree fell onto a power line on State Hwy 130. The power line also came down. The observer estimated wind gusts to 45 mph.

A 911 Center employee reported power lines down near Red Hill Road.

A spotter reported a large limb, 12 inches in diameter, fell onto a power line and knocked the power line to the ground.

A National Weather Service storm survey concluded an F1 tornado was on the ground for approximately two minutes and caused spotty damage along a roughly one mile path. Numerous pine trees were uprooted and snapped. The fallen trees downed power lines and damaged the roof of a mobile home.

Strong winds blew trees and power lines down, and blew windows out of a building.

Brunswick County Electric reported trees down on power lines.

A television station reported trees and power lines down.