A surface warm front lifted northward across the area just a few hours prior to the onset of a severe weather outbreak while a cold front approached from the northwest.  A meso-low developed across northeast Georgia and enhanced the shear through the low-levels of the atmosphere.  The arrival of a potent shortwave and associated strong dynamics by late afternoon were able to overcome limited instability and the stabilizing influences of the chilly Atlantic Ocean, allowing for a long-lived severe weather outbreak.  National Weather Service Storm Damage Teams confirmed eight tornadoes, up to an EF1 on the Enhanced F-scale.  The teams also observed evidence of strong microbursts and rear-flank downdraft damage.  Large hail up to 1.75 inches and straight line wind damage up to 95 mph also occurred.  The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center upgraded the area from a moderate risk for severe weather to a PDS high risk early in the afternoon.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROBESON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:41:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:41:00 (EST-5)
Location: RAYNHAM
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported trees down across road.

Hail in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:15:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: FAIR BLUFF
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: County Official

Quarter sized hail was reported.

Hail in ROBESON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:14:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: ORRUM
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Employee of the Lumber River State Park reported golf ball size hail.

Hail in NEW HANOVER, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:50:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILMINGTON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Quarter size hail was reported on Front Street.

Hail in BRUNSWICK, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:50:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: LELAND
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Public

Report of three-quarter inch hail relayed via Amateur Radio Operator.

Hail in ROBESON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:00:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DAYSTROM
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

One-inch hail reported by off duty Maxton Police Department Employee.

Tornado in PENDER, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:56:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: HAMPSTEAD
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 2.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey concluded a tornado first touched down about 100 yards southwest of State Route 210.  The tornado traveled northeast, across the intersection of Pansy Lane and Peanut Road where several businesses and homes were damaged.  The tornado crossed near the intersection of Loblolly Trail and Pinestraw Drive where several homes were damaged and numerous trees were blown down.  The tornado then lifted and skipped for another half mile, crossing  Old Casteen Road, and then dissipating near Ravinswoods Road.  Along its length, the tornado frequently lifted to tree top level and caused tops of trees to snap.  There were 15 homes that received minor damage and 3 that sustained moderate damage.  There were 10 businesses that sustained minor damage, and 3 that experienced moderate damage.  Damage to one business was described as major.  There were 5 mobile homes with minor damage and 2 with moderate damage.  The maximum path width was 100 yards.  The path length was almost 2 miles.  The tornado was rated EF1, with winds up to 110 mph.  However, for most of its length, the tornado was rated an EF0.  Pender County officials estimated total storm damage was $2 million dollars.

Tornado in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:16:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: FAIR BLUFF
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey examined damage along the west side of Orange Street in Fair Bluff and found the pattern suggestive of a brief tornadic circulation.  Several trees were snapped before the tornado lifted after about one minute.  The tornado was rated at EF0.  The path length was 30 yards and the maximum width was 10 yards.

Thunderstorm Wind in PENDER, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:37:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:38:00 (EST-5)
Location: ASHTON
Magnitude: 83.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00M
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous pine trees were blown down or snapped along a path about 100 yards wide and 300 yards long.  Five mobile homes were damaged by downed trees in the Interstate Mobile Home Park and adjacent Cedar Grove Mobile Home Park.  Two of these homes were knocked off of their foundations and sustained major damage.  A National Weather Service Storm Survey concluded the damage was the result of straight-line winds between 90 and 95 mph.  Pender County officials estimated all storm related damage totaled $2 million dollars.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:15:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: FAIR BLUFF
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey concluded the damage along the west side of Fair Bluff was largely the result of straight-line winds. Numerous trees up to 20 inches in diameter were either blown over or snapped.  Some trees did fall onto homes, and a few homes did sustain
significant damage.  However, in general, structural damage was described as minor.  The winds were estimated between 60 and 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:26:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: EVERGREEN
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Team surveyed damage along Stephens Road.  Two trees, approximately 12 inches in diameter, were uprooted.  A large shed, approximately 20 feet wide and 60 feet long, was lifted off its foundation and demolished as it was deposited about 30 yards to the south.  Winds were estimated between 60 and 80 mph.  Eyewitnesses confirmed the damage was the result of straight-line winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:14:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: FAIR BLUFF
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Team surveyed farmland near the state line.  Ten to fifteen trees were snapped or blown over.  An open shed was blown apart and displaced approximately 15 yards.  The conclusion was that the damage was the result of staight-line winds between 60 and 80 mph.