Tornado hits Nash County; NWS issues tornado warning issued for parts of North Carolina; Here’s what you should know

A tornado was reported on the ground in Dortches, a town in Nash County, on Wednesday afternoon. It touched down around 12:36 p.m., about seven miles northeast of Rocky Mount. Due to a road obstruction, all lanes of I-95 near Rocky Mount, between Exits 138 (U.S. 64) and 141 (N.C. 43), are currently closed. The N.C. Department of Transportation anticipates reopening the road by 4 p.m. The tornado also damaged a Pfizer plant in North Carolina.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for certain areas in central North Carolina, which is in effect from 12:31 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday. In addition, the National Weather Service advises caution regarding flying debris. The tornado warning covers Nash, Edgecombe, and Halifax counties.

Furthermore, there is a severe thunderstorm warning specifically for northeastern Nash County, northwestern Edgecombe County, and south central Halifax County. This warning is in effect until 1 p.m. on Wednesday.


As the weather continues to remain tense across several region, here’s what you should do during a tornado warning;

If you are indoors during the warning, take the following steps to stay safe:

Go to the lowest floor of the building.
Keep away from windows and doors.
Stay clear of outer walls.
Find shelter under a sturdy object.

If you happen to be outside during the warning, follow these precautions:

Quickly seek shelter in a strong building.
Avoid staying in cars or mobile homes as they are not safe.
Lie flat on the ground, facing down, and cover your head for protection.

Tornadoes form when warm, moist air meets cold, dry air, usually when a cold front moves into an area with pre-existing warm air. The denser cold air forces the warm air to rise, creating clouds as it cools and condenses. The condensation process releases heat, causing the air to rise even faster. This rapid upward motion forms a spinning column of air known as a vortex, with speeds that can reach up to 300 miles per hour.

The most common type of tornado is the "supercell" tornado, which originates from rotating updrafts within thunderstorms called mesocyclones. These tornadoes are the strongest and can cause significant damage.

While tornadoes are most frequent in the United States, particularly in the Great Plains, they can also occur in other parts of the world, including Australia, Argentina, and India.

FAQs:

How are tornados generated?
Tornadoes form when warm, moist air meets cold, dry air, usually when a cold front moves into an area with pre-existing warm air. The denser cold air forces the warm air to rise, creating clouds as it cools and condenses. The condensation process releases heat, causing the air to rise even faster. This rapid upward motion forms a spinning column of air known as a vortex, with speeds that can reach up to 300 miles per hour.

Where are tornados most common?
Tornadoes are most frequent in the United States, particularly in the Great Plains. They can also occur in other parts of the world, including Australia, Argentina, and India.