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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
638 PM EST Wed Feb 17 2021


...NWS Damage Survey For 02/15/2021 Tornado Event...

.Ocean Ridge Plantation Tornado...

Rating:                 EF-3
Estimated Peak Wind:    160 mph
Path Length /statute/:  22 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   275 yards
Fatalities:             3
Injuries:               10

Start Date:             Feb 15 2021
Start Time:             11:34 PM EST
Start Location:         2 N Sunset Beach, NC
Start Lat/Lon:          33.9118 / -78.5096

End Date:               Feb 16 2021
End Time:               12:02 AM EST
End Location:           10 SW Delco, NC
End Lat/Lon:            34.1774 / -78.3008

The tornado touched down near the intersection of Old Georgetown
Road SW and Angel Trace Road as an EF-0, where a couple of pine trees 
were snapped and several pine limbs were broken. It moved to the 
northeast over forest land, then rapidly intensified to an EF-2 as it 
approached Highway 904. A large portion of a roof was blown off a metal 
building on the west side of 904, several RVs were rolled over, and 
several large pine trees were snapped. The tornado crossed Highway 904, 
snapped numerous trees and caused moderate damage to a large metal 
building and church.

The tornado entered the Ocean Ridge Plantation neighborhood with wind 
speeds up to 125 mph (EF-2). Hundreds of trees were snapped, and many
homes sustained minor to moderate damage. It crossed Rosebury Court
SW, then strengthened to its maximum intensity of 160 mph (EF-3) as it 
approached Cambria Court SW. Two homes were completely destroyed in this
area, and several more sustained moderate to major damage. The tornado
reached its maximum path width of 275 yards as it moved across Windsor
Circle, although maximum winds decreased to 115 mph (EF-2). Many homes 
sustained moderate to major damage, hundreds of large trees were snapped, 
and one automobile was observed rolled on its side. 

It crossed Highway 17 as an EF-1, then reintensified to EF-2, causing 
major damage to several homes and snapping hundreds of trees along Green
Bay Road NW and Old Shallote Road NW. The tornado continued to produce a 
near continuous path of tree damage through forest and swamp land, 
across Highway 130 and Highway 211, confirmed by helicopter overflight. 
The tornado lifted approximately three miles east of Highway 211 after
passing west of the Bear Pen Airstrip.

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph
EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph
EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph
EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph
EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph
EF5...Violent...>200 mph

NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

$$

CRM/SRP

...Corrected end time...