A strong upper low moved from Iowa across the Lower Great Lakes region, with a deep trough taking on a negative tilt while swinging into North Carolina. An associated strong cold front approached western North Carolina that afternoon and pushed east and east-northeast across central North Carolina on the night of the 15th. A strengthening and backing flow at all levels led to a surge of moisture into NC. Moderate instability, strong deep layer shear, and high low-level storm-relative helicity were also present. The result was a quasi-linear convective system with embedded mesovortices, which produced widespread severe weather, including a tornado in Greensboro, as it moved through North Carolina.

Thunderstorm Wind in MOORE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 16:20:00 to 15-APR-18 16:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROBBINS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A couple of trees were blown down along a swath from NC 24-27 highway near Robbins to Glendon-Carthage Road near Carthage.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTLAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 16:20:00 to 15-APR-18 16:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELMORE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

One tree was blown down on Lauren Hill Church Road near Laurel Hill.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHATHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 16:36:00 to 15-APR-18 16:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: SILER CITY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Multiple trees and power lines were blown down in Siler City.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 16:45:00 to 15-APR-18 16:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: RAEFORD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several trees were blown down throughout Hoke county.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHATHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 17:40:00 to 15-APR-18 17:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILSONVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

One tree was blown down across Farrington Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 19:35:00 to 15-APR-18 19:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: SILVER CITY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

One tree was blown down across Fulton Street near Fifth Avenue in Raeford.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 19:35:00 to 15-APR-18 19:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: SANFORD MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

One tree was blown down on Lemon Springs Road in Sanford.

Thunderstorm Wind in HARNETT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 20:58:00 to 15-APR-18 20:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: TURLINGTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

One tree was blown down on a residence in Benson, causing significant damage to the home.

Hail in FORSYTH, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 15:23:00 to 15-APR-18 15:23:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEWISVILLE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in STANLY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 15:06:00 to 15-APR-18 15:07:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALBEMARLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Multiple trees and power lines were blown down throughout the city of Albemarle, some resulting in structural damage in the downtown area.

Thunderstorm Wind in FORSYTH, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 15:17:00 to 15-APR-18 15:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEWISVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A few trees were blown down along a swath from west-southwest to west-northwest of Lewisville.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 15:19:00 to 15-APR-18 15:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: TUCKERTOWN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Trees and power lines were blown down near Badin Lake.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALAMANCE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 16:46:00 to 15-APR-18 16:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: BURLINGTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Numerous trees and power lines were blown down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHATHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 17:15:00 to 15-APR-18 17:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: PITTSBORO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

One tree was blown down across Thompson Avenue.

Thunderstorm Wind in ORANGE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 17:15:00 to 15-APR-18 17:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: MC DADE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

One tree was blown down near the intersection of NC Highway 86 and Carr Store Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHATHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 17:20:00 to 15-APR-18 17:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: MONCURE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

One tree was blown down on River Forks Drive near NC-87.

Thunderstorm Wind in WAKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 21:05:00 to 15-APR-18 21:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILLOW SPGS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several trees and power lines were blown down along a swath from Willow Springs to Rolesville.

Thunderstorm Wind in NASH, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 21:45:00 to 15-APR-18 21:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: SAMARIA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A couple of trees were blown down along a swath from Pilot to Spring Hope. One tree fell on a residence on West NC-97.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALIFAX, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 23:05:00 to 15-APR-18 23:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: SUMMIT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

One tree and one power line were blown down along a swath from Littleton to Enfield.

Thunderstorm Wind in CUMBERLAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 21:14:00 to 15-APR-18 21:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: (FBG)FT BRAGG
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Fort Bragg RAWS station reported a wind gust of 69 miles per hour.

Flash Flood in LEE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 20:50:00 to 15-APR-18 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: JONESBORO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Flash Flooding was reported along United States Highway 421.

Flash Flood in DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 19:30:00 to 15-APR-18 20:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: WEAVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flash Flooding cased the closure of several roads in the Durham area.

Tornado in WAKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 21:35:00 to 15-APR-18 21:36:00 (EST-5)
Location: KNIGHTDALE WNDLL ARP
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An  EF-1  tornado briefly touched down approximately 5 miles north-northwest of Wendell, North Carolina on April 15, 2018.

The tornado touched down near Hals Farm Road, just off of Edgemont
Road. The tornado tracked northward across an area consisting of a
mixture of trees, a barn, and a few homes, before crossing Sadie
Drive. The homes near the end of Sadie drive (near the cul-de-sac)
sustained minor damage to siding and some loss/damage to shingles.
Numerous trees were uprooted and several pine trees snapped off
approximately 15 to 25 feet up. An apparent outbuilding was also
destroyed at this location. The damage here was indicative of a weak
tornado with approximate peak wind speeds of 87 MPH, or EF-1 on the
Enhanced Fujita Scale.

The tornado continued tracking northward through a wooded area
causing sporadic damage to trees. The tornado affected several homes
along Woodie Drive, off of Riley Hill Road, with one sustaining
significant damage from a tree falling through the roof of the home.
The tornado then lifted near Riley Hill Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANDOLPH, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 15:31:00 to 15-APR-18 15:31:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW HOPE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

One tree was blown down across the road near the intersection of Lanier Hill Road and New Hope Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in ANSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 15:40:00 to 15-APR-18 15:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: LILESVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Several trees were blown down across the eastern half of Anson county, including the town of Lilesville.

Thunderstorm Wind in RANDOLPH, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 15:47:00 to 15-APR-18 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEW MARKET
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several trees were blown down along a swath from west-northwest of Randleman to Seagrove.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONTGOMERY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 16:00:00 to 15-APR-18 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BISCOE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Several trees and power lines were blown down near Biscoe.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 17:20:00 to 15-APR-18 17:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: SANFORD MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

One tree was blown down across Lemon Springs Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in ORANGE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 17:25:00 to 15-APR-18 17:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHAPEL HILL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

One tree was blown down across West Poplar Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in PERSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 17:25:00 to 15-APR-18 17:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: HURDLE MILLS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Multiple trees were blown down in Hurdle Mills.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 17:30:00 to 15-APR-18 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: COLON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

One tree was blown down on Colon Road.

Flash Flood in SCOTLAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 19:30:00 to 15-APR-18 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPRINGFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Flash flooding was reported along Interstate 74 in Laurinburg.

Flash Flood in HOKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 20:00:00 to 15-APR-18 20:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: TIMBERLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Several roads were flooded in rural areas just to the southwest of Raeford.

Flash Flood in DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 20:30:00 to 15-APR-18 22:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: WEST DURHAM
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Flash flooding was reported on Mangum Street at the Durham Freeway.

Flash Flood in DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 20:45:00 to 15-APR-18 22:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRAGGTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Flash flooding was reported on United State highways 15 and 501 and along Gregson Street at Interstate 85.

Tornado in GUILFORD, NORTH CAROLINA
From 15-APR-18 16:07:00 to 15-APR-18 16:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREENSBORO
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 65.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado initially touched down on the north side of I-40 near
where Willow Road crosses I-40. Damage at this point consisted of
snapped trees and was consistent with 90 mph wind speeds, or EF-1 on
the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

The tornado remained on the ground as it traveled north toward
Peeler Elementary School.  Numerous homes in this area were damaged
along with substantial tree damage.  The tornado wind speeds at this
location were estimated to be approximately 100 mph.

The tornado continued traveling north and reached a peak intensity
and maximum path width in the Hampton Community and near Hampton
Elementary School. At this school a large portion of the roof was
blown off and three adjacent portable classroom buildings
(manufactured buildings) were completely destroyed and leveled. The
damage to the main school building was consistent with wind speeds
around 110 mph (DI 15/DOD 6), while the damage to the adjacent
portable units was consistent with wind speeds of 135 mph (DI 4/DOD
12), which is a high-end EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. It   s
worth noting that the neighborhoods adjacent to this school
experienced a wide and substantial path of devastation which
included snapped and uprooted trees, snapped power poles, homes that
were pushed off of their foundation, numerous homes that lost most
or all of their roof cover, and several homes with exterior walls
blown out. The survey found the width of the tornado, and
particularly the width of the EF1 and EF2 wind speeds, contributed
to a particularly wide path of destruction.

The tornado then continued north-northeast and mostly remained on
the ground all the way to the Guilford/Rockingham County line. Along
the way, the damage consisted mostly of snapped and uprooted trees,
and roof and siding damage to several additional homes. The tornado
appeared to produce minor tree damage (with wind speeds 80 mph or
less) just before crossing into Rockingham County.

Finally, the aforementioned path length (16 miles) consists of just
the Guilford County path.  The tornado continued into Rockingham
County, and remained on the ground for an additional 17.6 miles.