National Weather Service Raw Text Product

193 
NOUS41 KRNK 311703
PNSRNK
NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-
WVZ042>044-507-508-312115-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
103 PM EDT Wed May 31 2017

...Updated Details on Tornado Confirmed Near Sauratown Mountain 
in Stokes County North Carolina...

* Location...From near King to near Lawsonville in Stokes County 
North Carolina 
* Date...May 24 2017 
* Estimated Time...4:52 PM EDT - 5:19 PM EDT 
* Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF2 
* Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...125 MPH 
* Maximum Path Width...0.4 Miles (updated from 0.5 Miles)
* Path Length...16.1 Miles (updated from 15.3 Miles based on
  aerial images)
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

* The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event(s) and publication in
NWS Storm Data.

...Summary...
The National Weather Service in Blacksburg VA confirmed a tornado
in Stokes County North Carolina on May 24, 2017.

A NWS Damage Assessment Team has concluded that a tornado impacted
portions of western Stokes County North Carolina during the late
afternoon and early evening of May 24, 2017.

Here are the specifics:

A tornado with a continuous path touched down near the Forsyth and 
Stokes County line causing large tree limbs to snap and numerous trees
to become uprooted along and near Spainhour Mill Road.

The tornado continued to the northeast, producing damage as it 
crossed US-52, Old Highway 52, and other minor roadways. The 
tornado reached its maximum strength and width as it impacted 
areas near and within YMCA Camp Hanes at the base of Sauratown 
Mountain, where numerous outbuildings, mobile homes, and cabins 
were damaged. The tornado at this point reached a maximum path 
width of just under 1/2 mile with a maximum wind speed estimate 
of 125 MPH.

The tornado continued in the same cardinal direction for several more 
miles before coming to an end just north of Highway 89 and just
south of North Stokes High School. In total, the tornado was on 
the ground for 16.1 miles, and produced up to EF2 damage.

This information can also be found on our website at
weather.gov/RNK.

For reference...the Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes
into the following categories:

EF0...wind speeds 65 to 85 mph.
EF1...wind speeds 86 to 110 mph.
EF2...wind speeds 111 to 135 mph.
EF3...wind speeds 136 to 165 mph.
EF4...wind speeds 166 to 200 mph.
EF5...wind speeds greater than 200 mph.

$$

SK