Fortunately, only one injury was reported with the storms. The record is 66 tornadoes in a single year, which occurred in 1998. A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Damage paths can be a mile wide and 50 miles long.
Tornadoes can and do occur in North Carolina at any time of the year.
However, the months of March to June are the peak time for tornado development. Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 pm, but again, can occur at all hours of the day or night. The average tornado moves from the southwest to the northeast with a speed in the 30 to 40 mph range, but may vary from nearly stationary to 70 mph. Keep a county map handy to help you follow the movement of threatening storms from weather bulletins. Get into a small room in the middle of the house, such as a closet or bathroom.