Rocky Mount tornado’s winds topped 140 mph, NWS confirms

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WNCT) –  The damage near Rocky Mount was caused by a tornado, meteorologists at the National Weather Service confirmed Friday night.

A survey team from the NWS’ Raleigh office examined the area of Nash County where damage occurred around 1:30 p.m. Friday afternoon. The NWS said that tornado was given a preliminary rating of EF3 with peak winds of 140 mph. The tornado was on the ground for about one-quarter mile.

“While the path was short, the damage was intense, as all but one of the masonry exterior walls

was blown over at an auto repair shop, and another nearby brick building was completely leveled with none of the walls left standing,” The NWS survey stated.

“Many of the surrounding building were damaged from brick and masonry blocks that were picked up and thrown into the walls and windows of the nearby buildings. Dozens of vehicles, including several large trucks, were picked up and tossed around.”

The tornado was spawned by the outer bands of decaying Hurricane Helene as it moved into the Appalachian Mountains region during the day Friday.

Rocky Mount’s Mayor issued a local State of Emergency.

In a Facebook post, Rocky Mount officials said:

“Our community was impacted earlier today by a tornado and other storm-related damage. Thank you to our first responders, RMFD and RMPD, NC Probation and Parole as well as other agencies (SHP and Nash County Emergency Services) for their quick action. Thank you to the Rocky Mount community for your support as we come together and work to rebuild.”

According to Rocky Mount officials, a total of fourteen buildings were damaged and an 18-wheeler was flipped by the tornado.  The heaviest damage was on the north side of Rocky Mount in the area of Tiffany Boulevard and North Wesleyan Boulevard.

The local fire chief told WNCN that fifteen people were injured when the tornado struck.

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