National Weather Service confirms tornado touched down in Gaston County

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — The National Weather Service confirmed an EF0 tornado touched down in southern Gaston County during Friday’s afternoon storms.

Officials said the tornado caused damage around Crowders Creek Road and near the Sparrow Spring Road intersection. It continued northeast across Ferguson Ridge Road, Highway 321 and Robinson Road before ending in the Gastonia Municipal Airport area.

The National Weather Service confirms an EF0 tornado touched down in southern Gaston County Friday afternoon causing tree damage and minor structural damage. Top winds reached 85 mph. @wsoctv
— Tony Sadiku (@TonyWSOC9) May 23, 2020

According to officials, damage included many uprooted trees, snapped limbs and minor structural damage along the tornado’s path.

The NWS said the tornado reached an estimated maximum speed of 85 mph.

The NWS also confirmed Saturday that fast-moving storms across South Carolina spawned at least one tornado in Cherokee County.

The National Weather Service in Greenville/Spartanburg says it will survey storm damage in York & Gaston County for possible tornado damage Saturday.
— Tony Sadiku (@TonyWSOC9) May 23, 2020

Meteorologists said the tornado touched down Friday in the northeastern part of the county, near the small town of Blacksburg and the York County line.

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NWS surveyors are still investigating nearby counties.