An old thunderstorm complex moving across the area from the prior evening of the 18th entered a more favorable environment by midday and developed a tornado that tracked several miles over the northern Coastal Plain of central NC. Numerous reports of damage to trees and structures confirmed the tornado as it moved from near Nashville, North Carolina to near Battleboro, North Carolina, Continuing northeast to Scotland Neck. The Tornado produced EF3 damage, with up to 150 mph. Additionally, a boundary over the Sandhills to southern Coastal Plain brought several reports of downed trees and powerlines, along with isolated flash flooding in Cumberland County.

Thunderstorm Wind in SAMPSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 19-JUL-23 13:45:00 to 19-JUL-23 13:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEWTON GROVE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

A tree and powerline were reported down near the intersection of Alex Benton Rd and Friday Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind in CUMBERLAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 19-JUL-23 16:58:00 to 19-JUL-23 16:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: STEDMAN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Trees were reported down near the intersection of Hayfield Rd and South River School Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind in CUMBERLAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 19-JUL-23 17:19:00 to 19-JUL-23 17:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: EASTOVER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Trees were reported down near the intersection of Rock Hill Rd and Dunn Rd.

Flash Flood in SAMPSON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 19-JUL-23 18:20:00 to 19-JUL-23 20:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLEMENT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Carroll Store Rd near the Big Swamp stream crossing was closed due to flooding.

Tornado in NASH, NORTH CAROLINA
From 19-JUL-23 11:25:00 to 19-JUL-23 11:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: DORTCHES
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 300.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The remnants of a Mesoscale Convective Vortex initiated a tornadic supercell on its southeastern quadrant as it quickly moved into the northern Coastal Plain early Wednesday morning. The tornado initially touched down southwest of Dortches, NC where power poles were bent and hardwoods snapped at the trunk were observed. The
tornado crossed I-95 just north of exit 138 and produced widespread tree damage on both sides of I-95 and in the median. As it moved into the municipality of Dortches the first instances of EF-2 damage was observed as it entered into a neighborhood
comprised of single-wide units. Multiple single-wide homes were completely destroyed and removed 20-30 yards from their foundation. As the tornado continued along its east-northeast path, a row of 10-15 power poles were snapped and laid out across South Browntown Road, continuing the path of EF-2 damage. Farther to the northeast, the tornado ripped across North Carolina Highway 48 where more power poles were snapped at the base and a residence building suffered major damage as all exterior walls had collapsed with only interior walls and a brick fireplace remained standing. The
tornado then progressed into the Belmont Lake Golf Club where it strengthened into an EF-3 tornado with winds of 140-150 mph. The tornado flattened a metal truss tower connected to the electrical transmission line as well as caused significant damage to a metal warehouse building. Additionally, semi-trucks were flipped and destroyed that where located in a large parking lot near the warehouse.

Tornado in EDGECOMBE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 19-JUL-23 11:42:00 to 19-JUL-23 11:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: BATTLEBORO
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado then weakened slightly as it crossed into Edgecombe County causing damage to a metal structure before lifting 9 miles east-northeast of Battleboro, NC.