Two rare NC mountain EF1 tornadoes have been confirmed by the National Weather Service in Greer South Carolina. One was early yesterday morning in Avery County. The other was Monday August 7th in Yancey County.
The Avery County tornado was only the second official tornado confirmed in that county and had estimated winds of 105 mph. It tracked through the Flat Springs community in northern Avery County shortly after midnight on August 15th. Officials said tree damage was seen along several roads in the county.
The Yancey County storm was also rated as an EF1 tornado with 95 mph winds. It was registered at 2:48pm and traveled 4.72 miles from the northwest to the southeast, just north of the Ramseytown community and had a path around 25 yards wide. There were no injuries reported and only minor damage with trees knocked down.
The National Weather Service said since 1950 there have only been 2 confirmed tornados in Avery County and 3 in Yancey County. Mitchell County is the only county in WNC that has not recorded a tornado touchdown.
Tornadoes are rare in the Western North Carolina Mountains. All of the recorded events have occurred from thunderstorms but usually quickly dissipate because of the mountainous terrain.
