Tornado confirmed in Sampson County, National Weather Service says (2024)

An outer band of Tropical Storm Debby spawned a tornado in Sampson County.

It happened around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service placed the region under a tornado warning from about 2-2:30 p.m.

A first responder in Pender County filmed the video below showing the large twister spinning across a field.

Two homes were damaged along Bland School Road not far from US-421 and the Pender County line.

This is the first severe storm or tornado warning spawned in North Carolina off the bands of Tropical Storm Debby. More storms like this are possible over the next day or two as Debby pushes through the region.

The strength of the tornado was not immediately known.

Ahead of Tropical Storm Debby, occupations that spend a considerable amount of time outdoors are keeping their eyes to the sky. Landscapers, airline baggage handlers, construction crews, and roofers are all among the trades that spend the majority, if not all, of their time braving the elements.

"We've got temporary water proofing measures in just to make sure our building is nice and tight and protecting our materials," said Nathan Nelli, a supervisor for Clancy & Theys. "(We) take it seriously. Make sure all of our doors are secured. Make sure we don't have any loose materials. Make sure everything is organized and in a safe location or blowing off our project site."

Debby won't bring extreme wind like some strong hurricanes, but the gusts could still be dangerous. Nelli said the cranes on the company's construction site near the State Farmer's Market are designed to swing in the event of high gusts of wind.

"It may not look right. But I promise you it's operating the way that it's supposed to," said Nelli.

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It feels like the rain just won't stop.

Luckily there have been breaks in the rain in Charleston and the waters have receded.

A truck that got stuck in the flood waters had to be pushed out by people who were working to repair and check on homes in the area.

In Edisto, which is about an hour southwest of Charleston, ABC11 crews reported seeing heavy damage to a local business McConkey's Jungle Shack.

The bar's roof fell in on the building and pillars that appeared to support an outdoor bar caved in.

One family said they were home when the storm came through on Monday.

"Our bedroom was upstairs and you could just hear it there was a metal roof up there. It was pounding on the roof. At times it was a little scary and there were some significant gusts that happened that you could almost feel the house kind of move," they said.

A curfew that was in place has been lifted.

Debby is expected to make a second landfall around Charleston sometime tonight.

Gov. Roy Cooper and state emergency management officials held their first news conference in preparation for the arrival of Tropical Storm Debby.

The storm is not expected to be a hurricane when it makes its second landfall in South Carolina and pushes up through central North Carolina. However, officials warn that it could still pose serious threats to people and property in its path.

"A slow-moving tropical storm can sometimes be even more deadly than a quick-moving hurricane...we must be on high alert," Cooper said.

Debby is currently moving at just 5 miles per hour. That floundering pace, if it continues, would result in the storm dumping a lot of water along its path.

"All North Carolinians across our state need to be prepared for a deluge," Cooper said.

Many neighborhoods may see more rain in the next couple days than they typically see in several months. Widespread flash flooding is possible and represents the largest threat from this storm.

Because of that, Cooper said he activated more than 350 soldier and airmen from the North Carolina National Guard and placed swift-water rescue teams on high alert across the state.

"(We are) all too familiar with rain and flooding that comes from slow-moving storms. so preparation now means saving lives later," he said.