The environment destabilized ahead of a slow moving cold front and a deepening 500 mb long wave trough. This allowed developing thunderstorms to quickly become severe.

Hail in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 16:31:00 to 03-MAY-16 16:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITEVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.25K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Dime to nickel size hail reportedly covered the ground.

Hail in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 16:26:00 to 03-MAY-16 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITEVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Nickel size hail was reportedly mixed in with smaller pieces.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 16:10:00 to 03-MAY-16 16:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: EVERGREEN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A tree was reportedly down on Walter Shaw Road.

Hail in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 16:45:00 to 03-MAY-16 16:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: PORTERSVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Hail to the size of quarters was reported.

Hail in BLADEN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 18:36:00 to 03-MAY-16 18:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: TOBEMORY
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 1.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Quarter of golf ball size hail was reported at the Tobermory Fire Department.

Hail in ROBESON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 18:31:00 to 03-MAY-16 18:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: OAKLAND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A video confirmed hail to the size of quarters.

Hail in BLADEN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 18:55:00 to 03-MAY-16 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: TAR HEEL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail to the size of quarters was reported at the Marathon gas station. The report was relayed by a NWS employee.

Hail in BLADEN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 18:55:00 to 03-MAY-16 18:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: DUART
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail to the size of golf balls was reported near the intersection of Highway 87 and Highway 20. The report was relayed by the Bladen County Emergency Manager.

Hail in BLADEN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 18:40:00 to 03-MAY-16 18:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: TOBEMORY
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several reports of hail up to the size of tennis balls along a stretch of Highway 20.

Hail in ROBESON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 18:35:00 to 03-MAY-16 18:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: TOLARSVILLE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail to the size of half dollars was reported. The information was relayed by the media.

Hail in PENDER, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 20:17:00 to 03-MAY-16 20:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: VAN EDEN
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 1.25K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail to the size of ping pongs was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in BLADEN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 18:35:00 to 03-MAY-16 19:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: TOBEMORY
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Portions of Highway 20 near Tobermory were reportedly closed due to numerous trees down.

Hail in BRUNSWICK, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 18:23:00 to 03-MAY-16 18:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: EASY HILL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Nickel to quarter size hail was reported near Mallory Creek.

Hail in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 16:15:00 to 03-MAY-16 16:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITEVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail to the size of quarters was reported near the intersection of Old Lumberton Road and Peacock Road.

Hail in COLUMBUS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 16:30:00 to 03-MAY-16 16:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITEVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail to the size of quarters reportedly caused significant damage to five acres of strawberries.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRUNSWICK, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 16:00:00 to 03-MAY-16 16:01:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAMP BRANCH
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Large tree limbs were reportedly down on Freeman Road.

Hail in NEW HANOVER, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-16 18:34:00 to 03-MAY-16 18:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: MYRTLE GROVE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail to the size of pennies was reported.