Widespread moderate to heavy rain fell across the western Carolinas during the nighttime hours of the 15th and the morning of the 16th. This resulted in some flash flooding and longer duration flooding over the mountains and foothills. Strong wind shear and moderate instability ahead of the cold front initiated a line of storms over the western North Carolina Piedmont in the afternoon. These storms produced a few tornados as the line broke into discrete cells. The cells intensified into several supercell storms that went on to spawn numerous strong tornadoes over central and eastern North Carolina during the afternoon and evening hours.

Tornado in ROWAN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 11:41:00 to 16-APR-11 11:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: FRANKLIN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Tornado damage began in a wooded area between Thomason Rd and Henry Lane. The tornado continued northeast toward Elliot Dr, where a large section of roof was peeled off a mobile home and two large trees fell on and severely damaged a second mobile home. Additional uprooted trees, mainly pines were noted in this area. The tornado crossed highway 601 just north of Hidden Valley Rd. Some homes sustained minor roof damage and the roof was blown off an outbuilding as well. As the tornado crossed the highway, numerous pine trees were snapped off 10 to 20 feet high. The tornado apparently lifted briefly at this point before touching down again in a wooded area near Beck Rd. Numerous trees were snapped 10 to 20 feet off the ground. The roof was also blown off an outbuilding on Beck Rd. As the tornado continued northeast, a carport was destroyed on Old Mocsksville Rd across from the Newport Dr intersection, while most of the roof covering was removed from a frame home at the intersection of Newport Dr and Old Mocksville Rd. Another home on Newport Dr had much of its metal roof torn off while still another home was stripped of most of its shingles. Several large trees fell on another home on Newport Dr, severely damaging the structure. The damage path narrowd toward the end of Newport Dr, but remained fairly intense, with numerous trees downed in varying directions. The tornado may have lifted briefly at this point, but another damage path was found downstream in Davie County.

Flash Flood in TRANSYLVANIA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 05:10:00 to 16-APR-11 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CALHOUN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Widespread 2.5 to 4 inch rainfall caused the Little River to go above flood stage, flooding portions of Cascade Lake Rd and Merrill Lane.

Flash Flood in HENDERSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 06:00:00 to 16-APR-11 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DRUID HILLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

After widespread rainfall of 3 to 5 inches, flooding developed along Mud Creek and Bat Fork Creek on the south side of Hendersonville. Flooded roads included portions of Dana Rd, Tracy Grove Rd, and Airport Rd.

Flash Flood in CALDWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 07:00:00 to 16-APR-11 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MORTIMER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Flash flooding developed at a known flood-prone camping area along Wilson's Creek just off Brown Mountain Beach Rd. Several campers and tents were washed away. Nine people were caught in flood water, but seven managed to make it to safety. Two additional people were rescued, one from a camper, and another from an island in the middle of the stream. One person received minor injuries.

Flash Flood in BURKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 09:00:00 to 16-APR-11 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Flooding developed along Steele Creek in the northwest part of the county, with water over the highway 181 bridge and another road flooded.

Flash Flood in BURKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 09:00:00 to 16-APR-11 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

A stream gauge showed that the Johns River went out of it's banks, flooding parts of Johns River Rd, Old Johns River Rd, and Valley View Circle.

Flash Flood in BURKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 09:00:00 to 16-APR-11 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: OAK HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Some tributaries of Warrior Creek also flooded just northwest of Morganton, with portions of Bost Rd and Spainhour Rd closed.

Flood in TRANSYLVANIA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 09:00:00 to 16-APR-11 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CALHOUN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Although heavy rain tapered off during the late morning, high water conditions continued along the Little River into the afternoon.

Flood in TRANSYLVANIA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 09:00:00 to 16-APR-11 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BLANTYRE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Flooding developed along the French Broad River near Blantyre during the early afternoon, flooding several roads along the river. til 3 pm. Flooding persisted along the river until the 18th.

Thunderstorm Wind in MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 11:06:00 to 16-APR-11 11:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: HUNTERSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: County Official

A tree was blown down on Mallard Creek Rd just west of I-85 with another blown down close to Huntersville.

Thunderstorm Wind in ROWAN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 11:40:00 to 16-APR-11 11:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROWAN CO ARPT
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Multiple trees and large limbs were blown down from highway 150 west of Salisbury to Sycamore and Willow Rd to Woodleaf Rd.

Tornado in DAVIE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 11:45:00 to 16-APR-11 11:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: COOLEEMEE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

What was likely the continuation of the path of tornado damage that began in Rowan County north of Salisbury was found along Point Rd in extreme southeast Davie County. Numerous trees were blown down in this area.

Tornado in UNION, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 11:59:00 to 16-APR-11 12:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: BAKERS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An area of weak tornado damage  began on the north side of Monroe, just west of highway 74 along Williams Rd. Part of the metal roof was blown off a building and some trees were blown down here. The tornado skipped northeast across highway 74 and damaged some outbuildings and blew out the plastic roof covering of an outdoor garden center. The tornado continued northeast, blowing down a few trees as it approached Secrest Shortcut Rd. Part of an outbuilding was destroyed just west of Red Fox Run Rd. The tornado continued over Secrest Hill Dr and Barbee Farm Dr, uprooting pine trees, snapping small trees and causing minor structural damage to homes. As the tornado continued northeast, it may have lifted briefly near Maple Hill Rd before touching down again near the intersection of Ridge Rd and Concord Highway. The metal roof of an outbuilding was tossed about 100 yards and some trees uprooted in a wooded area at this location. The tornado appeared to lift shortly thereafter, just before the intersection of Concord highway and Sikes Mill Rd.

Flood in BURKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-APR-11 18:00:00 to 16-APR-11 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Flooding continued into the evening across northern Burke County, mainly along the John's River.