A very warm and humid air mass combined to produce an unstable atmosphere out ahead of a strong cold front. The front moved through the early evening, while out ahead of it, several lines of severe thunderstorms raced across Eastern North Carolina during the afternoon hours during the peak heating of the day. Multiple reports of damage to homes occurred, along with reports of trees and powerlines blown down with estimated thunderstorm wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph. Within a particular line of thunderstorms, a brief tornado formed and touched down in Bayview before quickly lifting as it exited the community.

Thunderstorm Wind in BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 04-JAN-23 14:39:00 to 04-JAN-23 14:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: AURORA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Multiple trees were reportedly blown down along Hwy 33 between Broome Rd and Guilford Station Rd with some damage to nearby houses. Multiple power poles were also blown down. The time was estimated based on radar data.

Thunderstorm Wind in BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 04-JAN-23 15:10:00 to 04-JAN-23 15:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: BELHAVEN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Utility Company

Tideland EMC reported multiple power outages in the Belhaven area due to trees blown down onto power lines.

Tornado in BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 04-JAN-23 14:49:00 to 04-JAN-23 14:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: BAYVIEW
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The NWS in Newport, NC surveyed damage that occurred in Bayview, NC. The survey team concluded that a waterspout moved ashore and touched down as a brief tornado in town before lifting. The tornado was moving very quickly in a northeastward direction and affected a neighborhood on the east side of the Bayview Golf Club, or near the intersection of Bayview Rd. and King Blount Dr. Several very large 3 ft diameter pine trees had their trunks snapped about 12 ft up. There was also a large cedar tree (2 ft diameter) that was snapped. Based on the damage to the very large softwood trees, wind speeds were estimated to be between 100 and 105 mph. Additional damage included a large shed that had its tin roof torn off and thrown approximately 25 yards, shingles that were torn from several homes, and large limbs that were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in DUPLIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 04-JAN-23 13:18:00 to 04-JAN-23 13:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: WEST
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A large metal garage/warehouse structure was lifted up and blown into the road in the 1200 block of Lanefield Rd. Several trees were blown down in the area as well.

Thunderstorm Wind in LENOIR, NORTH CAROLINA
From 04-JAN-23 13:45:00 to 04-JAN-23 13:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: DEEP RUN
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

The South Lenoir High School gym sustained significant roof damage from the strong thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in PITT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 04-JAN-23 14:27:00 to 04-JAN-23 14:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: BELVOIR
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: State Official

The 911 center reported trees were blown down on Gum Swamp Church Rd and Porter Rd. The time was estimated based on radar data.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARTIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 04-JAN-23 14:35:00 to 04-JAN-23 14:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROBERSONVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

The strong wind gusts damaged a roof in Robersonville.

Thunderstorm Wind in PITT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 04-JAN-23 14:35:00 to 04-JAN-23 14:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: BELVOIR
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Employee

Photos of shingles that were blown off a roof along with a damage to a playground were received by an NWS employee.

Thunderstorm Wind in CRAVEN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 04-JAN-23 14:26:00 to 04-JAN-23 14:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPRING HOPE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Multiple trees were blown down northeast of New Bern. One particular tree was blown down on a house on Morgan Swamp Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARTIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 04-JAN-23 14:43:00 to 04-JAN-23 14:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROBERSONVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

A roof was ripped off of a commercial building in the 1960 block of Flat Swamp Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARTIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 04-JAN-23 14:43:00 to 04-JAN-23 14:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: GOLD PT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: State Official

The 911 center reported multiple trees blown down along the corner of NC Hwy 903 and Hassell Rd.