CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — The National Weather Service confirmed Thursday that an EF2 tornado was responsible for the widespread damage across Burke, Catawba, Caldwell and Alexander counties Monday evening.
[NWS: EF1 tornado was on the ground for 12 miles across 3 counties]
Officials with the NWS said the tornado touched down near the Hickory Regional Airport in eastern Burke County around 4:35 p.m. and was on the ground until 5 p.m., cutting a path nearly 23 miles long.
The tornado’s maximum wind speeds were estimated at 125 mph.
When the tornado touched down at the airport, it tossed small planes upside down and destroyed a hangar. NWS officials said the tornado was initially very narrow before it moved northeast, straddling the Caldwell/Catawba County line.
[RELATED: Tornado destroys hanger, planes at Hickory airport]
While weakening to an EF1, the tornado widened to almost a 3/4 of a mile, damaging buildings on either side of Lake Hickory.
The tornado brought down hundreds of trees, many on houses, buildings and vehicles. NWS officials said additional damage happened outside the tornado’s path due to strong straight-line winds.
According to the NWS, the tornado then turned left, straddling the Alexander/Caldwell County line and leaving more widespread damage and trees uprooted. The tornado then shifted northeast, finally weakening and lifting up just south of the Alexander/Wilkes County line, west of Highway 16.
On Thursday, the town of Granite Falls declared a State of Emergency due to the widespread damage the town suffered during the storm.
Caldwell County officials said 599 homes were damaged in the storm.
More storm damage coverage:
- Officials to survey possible tornado in Caldwell County
- Storm damage forces area schools to close, delay opening
- Hangars damaged, small planes flipped as storms slam Hickory
- Harsh winds peel roof off Lawndale post office in Cleveland County
- Red Cross opens shelters for families affected by storms
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