A warm front extended east across the central Appalachians, allowing cool stable air to the north and warm unstable conditions to the south. The differential heating coupled with ample lift and low level shear provided an environment ripe for rotating thunderstorms. One supercell thunderstorm produced two EF-2 tornadoes that caused damage to hundreds of structures while downing thousands of trees across Stokes and Yadkin Counties. Other storms in the region produced damaging straight-line winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in STOKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 24-MAY-17 16:22:00 to 24-MAY-17 16:22:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAWSONVILLE
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 2.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees near North Stokes County High School.

Thunderstorm Wind in YADKIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 24-MAY-17 15:33:00 to 24-MAY-17 15:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: HAMPTONVILLE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Thunderstorm winds downed numerous trees and damaged at least six homes within the community of Hamptonville. Winds form thunderstorms also downed four trees on Hamptonville Road.

Tornado in STOKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 24-MAY-17 15:52:00 to 24-MAY-17 16:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: KING
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 20.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A thunderstorm dropped a tornado that impacted portions of western Stokes County. This tornado, which produced a continuous path length of 16.1 miles, touched down just north of the Forsyth and Stokes County Line causing large tree limbs to snap and numerous trees to become uprooted along and near Spainhour Mill Road. The tornado continued to the northeast, producing damage as it crossed US-52, Old Highway 52, and other minor roadways. The tornado reached its maximum strength and width as it impacted areas near and within YMCA Camp Hanes at the base of Sauratown Mountain, where numerous outbuildings, mobile homes, and cabins were damaged. The tornado at this point reached a maximum path width of just under 0.5 miles with a maximum wind speed estimate of 125 MPH. The tornado continued to the northeast for several more miles before coming to an end just north of Highway 89 and just south of North Stokes High School.

Thunderstorm Wind in STOKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 24-MAY-17 16:32:00 to 24-MAY-17 16:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAMPBELL
Magnitude: 54.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees along State Route 8.

Thunderstorm Wind in STOKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 24-MAY-17 16:26:00 to 24-MAY-17 16:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAWSONVILLE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Thunderstorm winds downed two trees on Hart Road.

Tornado in YADKIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 24-MAY-17 15:18:00 to 24-MAY-17 15:23:00 (EST-5)
Location: COURTNEY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 9.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A thunderstorm dropped a tornado near the intersection of Highways 601 and 801 in Davie County (see Storm Data for North Carolina, Northwest, Northcentral, for more information on the beginning portion of this Tornado).  It then progressed north and east into Yadkin County where it produced a continuous path of 4.1 miles where it produced an injury just southwest of Baity Road when a tree limb was blown into a mobile home that was occupied at the time. The tornado continued to move northeast at around 40 mph for the next 4.1 miles, lifting and dissipating just northeast of Watkins Road. Approximately 45 homes and other buildings were at least partially damaged along the tornado path. The tornado reached peak intensity and produced EF2 level damage, associated with winds of approximately 125 mph, as it moved over Courtney-Huntsville Road causing extensive damage to the local elementary school gymnasium.