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By Natalie Venegas
Weekend Reporter
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North and South Carolina are facing a series of tornado alerts amid a severe thunderstorm on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued tornado watches for a number of counties in North and South Carolina.
Newsweek has reached out to the NWS via email for comment.
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Why It Matters
Severe thunderstorms may cause power lines and trees to be blown down, and mobile homes and other buildings to be damaged, the NWS said.
The agency added that flying debris from deadly winds can be deadly, and urged people to stay away from windows.
What To Know
A tornado watch is in effect across large parts of central and eastern North and South Carolina until 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
Major cities covered by the tornado watch include Charleston and Wilmington
The watch comes as several tornado warnings were also issued by the NWS for parts of North and South Carolina.
Meanwhile, severe thunderstorm warnings are also in effect until 12.15 pm E.T. across a central band of North Carolina, including the city of Durham.
The storm is moving in a northeast direction at speeds of 35 mph, with wind gusts of up to 60 mph, the NWS said.
Difference Between a Tornado Watch and Warning
Tornado Watch
According to the NWS, a tornado watch signals that weather conditions are favorable for tornado formation, urging residents to stay alert. This is the time for residents to be prepared to act quickly if a tornado warning is issued or if you suspect a tornado is approaching. Tornado watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center and typically cover large areas, spanning multiple counties or even entire states.
Tornado Warning
A tornado warning, however, indicates a more immediate threat—either a tornado has been spotted or radar has detected one. When a warning is issued, immediate action to seek shelter is critical. Residents are urged to move immediately to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. If you are in a mobile home, vehicle, or outdoors, find the nearest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by local forecast offices and usually cover smaller areas, such as a city or small county, where a tornado threat is imminent.
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Is a Tornado Watch or Warning Worse?
A tornado warning is worse as when it indicates immediate danger has been detected and is a step above a tornado emergency, which is the NWS' highest alert level. That alert is issued when a violent tornado has touched down in the watch area.
Full List of South Carolina Tornado Warnings
There were several tornado warnings issued for South Carolina that have now expired:
A tornado warning for Columbia, Lexington and West Columbia expired at 8 a.m. EST.
Tornado warnings for Irmo, Chapin, Chester, Fort Lawn and Richburg were in effect until 7:45 a.m. EST.
There are no active tornado warnings, but there is an active tornado watch in effect until 1 p.m. EST for the cities of Bishopville, Brookdale, Camden, Cheraw, Elgin, Lugoff, Manning, Orangeburg, Pageland, St. Matthews, Summerton, and Sumter.
Full List of North Carolina Tornado Warnings
There were several tornado warnings issued for North Carolina.
A tornado warning for Unionville, Fairview, Trail and Monroe was in effect until 9 a.m. EST.
In addition, a tornado warning for Winston-Salem, Kernersville, Walkertown and Clemmons was in effect until 8:45 a.m. EST.
At the time of publication, there are no active tornado warnings, but there is a tornado watch in effect until 1 p.m. EST for the cities of Aberdeen, Angier, Apex, Buies Creek, Burlington, Camp Mackall, Carrboro, Carthage, Cary, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Clinton, Creedmoor, Dunn, Durham, Ellerbe, Enfield, Erwin, Fayetteville, Franklinton, Goldsboro, Graham, Henderson, Hillsborough, Hope Mills, Kittrell, Knightdale, Laurinburg, Lillington, Louisburg, Mebane, Nashville, Norlina, Oxford, Pinehurst, Pittsboro, Princeville, Raeford, Raleigh, Roanoke Rapids, Rockingham, Rocky Mount, Roseboro, Rougemont, Roxboro, Sanford, Scotland Neck, Selma, Siler City, Smithfield, Southern Pines, Spring Hope, Spring Lake, Tarboro, Wagram, Wake Forest, Warrenton, and Wilson.
What People Are Saying
Grady Gilman, an AccuWeather meteorologist, prevously told Newsweek: "These storms are ongoing and will continue eastwards through the Southeast into the afternoon before pushing offshore this evening.
"Areas that experience drenching rain, with or without thunderstorms, may face urban, small stream, and river flooding."
NWS Tornado office wrote on X on Wednesday: "A tornado watch has been issued for parts of North Carolina and South Carolina until 1 PM EST."
What Happens Next
At the time of writing, the tornado watches are in force until 1 p.m. ET, and the severe thunderstorm watches are in effect until 6 p.m. ET.
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