The area was firmly within the warm sector ahead of a cold front. As the cold front moved into the area during the afternoon, it tapped into high instability and moderate shear. A line of severe thunderstorms developed late in the afternoon and continued into the early evening.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 21-MAY-15 15:17:00 to 21-MAY-15 15:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: FREEMAN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey team observed numerous tree tops were snapped near an area of homes off of Burgwin Road. The location was to the south of an EF-1 tornado track. Wind speeds were estimated up to 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 21-MAY-15 15:17:00 to 21-MAY-15 15:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: FREEMAN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey team observed multiple trees were snapped and large limbs were down near a church on Byrdville Road. The location was to the south of an EF-1 tornado track. Wind speeds were estimated up to 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 21-MAY-15 15:18:00 to 21-MAY-15 15:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: FREEMAN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 4.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey team observed  a large tree was down on a small barn on Livingston Chapel Road. The location was to the south of an EF-1 tornado track. Wind speeds were estimated up to 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 21-MAY-15 15:18:00 to 21-MAY-15 15:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: FREEMAN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey team observed tree tops snapped alongside Dales Country Store on Livingston Chapel Road. The location was to the south of an EF-1 tornado track. Wind speeds were estimated up to 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRUNSWICK, NORTH CAROLINA
From 21-MAY-15 16:13:00 to 21-MAY-15 16:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: SUPPLY
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Several trees were reported down near the intersection of Gilbert Road and Benton Road. The time was estimated based on radar data.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 21-MAY-15 15:16:00 to 21-MAY-15 15:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: FREEMAN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey team observed a large tree was uprooted on Spearman Road. The location was to the south of an EF-1 tornado track. Wind speeds were estimated up to 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 21-MAY-15 15:23:00 to 21-MAY-15 15:24:00 (EST-5)
Location: FREEMAN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey team observed multiple large limbs were down either side of the intersection between Water Tank Road and Dogwood Stand Road. The location was to the south of an EF-1 tornado track. Wind speeds were estimated up to 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 21-MAY-15 15:24:00 to 21-MAY-15 15:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: FREEMAN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey team observed trees were down and a metal tractor shed was destroyed. The location was to the south of an EF-1 tornado track. Wind speeds were estimated up to 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in BLADEN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 21-MAY-15 14:26:00 to 21-MAY-15 14:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITE LAKE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A willow tree was reportedly broken off at the base near the intersection of Highway 210 and Walter K Evans Road. Winds were estimated up to 60 mph. The time was estimated based on radar.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 21-MAY-15 15:16:00 to 21-MAY-15 15:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: FREEMAN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey team observed numerous large limbs were down along Spearman Road. The location was to the south of an EF-1 tornado track. Wind speeds were estimated up to 70 mph.

Tornado in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 21-MAY-15 15:13:00 to 21-MAY-15 15:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOLTON
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey team concluded an EF-1 tornado touched down on the north side of Highway 74, initially snapping approximately 100 pine trees. The tornado, with winds estimated to 105 mph then moved southeast and crossed Highway 74 causing significant structural damage to a single wide mobile home and adjacent buildings. Numerous large pine trees were snapped in the vicinity as well.  One occupant in the home when the tornado struck quickly found cover and was unharmed. The tornado then snapped large pine trees as it moved through forest. Some of these fallen trees blocked Robinson Road. Additional trees were snapped and large limbs broken as the tornado crossed Spearman Road and several power lines were down in the area. Damage became less severe as the tornado approached Byrdville-Freeman Road and it appears the tornado briefly lifted before touching down again along Swimming Hole Road. Several large pine trees and cedar trees were snapped. A few large hardwoods were also uprooted before the tornado lifted near the intersection of Dogwood Stand Road and JM Bordeaux Lane.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 21-MAY-15 15:16:00 to 21-MAY-15 15:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: FREEMAN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey team observed scattered tree damage either side of Byrdville Freeman Road. The location was to the south of an EF-1 tornado track. Wind speeds were estimated up to 70 mph.