Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Tornado Watch Covers 10 Counties in Carolinas Until 5 p.m.
The weather service issued a tornado watch for 10 counties in North Carolina and South Carolina until 5 p.m.
Sunday.
A watch means people in those areas should stay alert for possible tornadoes.
Earlier, a tornado warning was issued for two North Carolina counties.
That warning ended at 10:45 a.m.
A dangerous storm was reported near the North Carolina Zoo and was moving northeast.
The weather service said people should go to a basement or an inside room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
It also said people outside, in cars, or in mobile homes should get to a substantial shelter.
Tornadoes had also been reported in parts of South Carolina.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for six southeastern North Carolina counties and four northeastern South Carolina counties through 5 p.m. EDT Sunday.
Separately, a tornado warning for Chatham and Randolph counties in North Carolina expired at 10:45 a.m. EDT Sunday.
A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was reported near the North Carolina Zoo, moving northeast at 30 mph.
The warning included Asheboro and several nearby communities, as well as specified stretches of Interstate 73.
The NWS urged people in affected areas to shelter indoors and avoid flying debris; tornadoes were also reported in South Carolina on Saturday and early Sunday.
- Who
- The National Weather Service issued the alerts and safety advice for people in the affected areas.
- What
- A tornado watch covered 10 counties; a separate tornado warning for two North Carolina counties expired.
- When
- The watch was in force until 5 p.m. EDT Sunday. The warning ran from 10:22 to 10:45 a.m. EDT Sunday.
- Where
- Southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina; the separate warning covered Chatham and Randolph counties in North Carolina.
- Why
- The alerts concerned the potential for tornadoes amid severe thunderstorms and reported tornado activity.
- Tornado watch
- Six North Carolina counties and four South Carolina counties; in force until 5 p.m. EDT Sunday.
- North Carolina watch counties
- Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, Pender and Robeson.
- South Carolina watch counties
- Dillon, Horry, Marion and Marlboro.
- Separate tornado warning
- Chatham and Randolph counties; issued at 10:22 a.m. and expired at 10:45 a.m. EDT Sunday.
- Storm location and movement
- A storm capable of producing a tornado was reported near the North Carolina Zoo, moving northeast at 30 mph.
- South Carolina tornado reports
- The NWS tracked a confirmed tornado from Allendale County into Barnwell County and reported another in Fairfield County.
- NWS safety advice
- Seek substantial shelter, move to a basement or interior room on the lowest floor, and avoid windows and flying debris.