Carolina Beach Water Spouts and Tornadoes

Just across the River/ICW from us, Carolina Beach had major weather this morning!  What were originally our typical "pop-up" showers turned into programming interruptions and some of the most magnificent photos from our area.  


Here is the story from our local news www.wect.com :

Posted: Aug 18, 2011 10:25 AM EDTUpdated: Aug 18, 2011 3:10 PM EDT

"CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WECT) – Tornadoes, forming over the ocean, overran Carolina Beach from 10 to 10:30 Thursday morning.  Lifeguards, law enforcement and public safety officials reported up to three tornadoes near Atlanta Ave, Canal Drive and the Boardwalk area of Carolina Beach. 

An initial storm survey report from the National Weather Service indicates that 65 mph winds from the waterspout moved onshore near the Marriott in Carolina Beach, then tracked south paralleling the beach to around the Boardwalk. It then moved inland and dissipated over Carolina Beach Lake.

PHOTO GALLERY

Click here to see waterspouts spotted in Carolina Beach, Aug. 18.

According to a witness, 20 feet of decking south of Hamlet Ave. was lifted by the tornado. Umbrellas were reported tossed near the same location.

Also, according to First Alert Meteorologist Eric Davis, the fire department spotted a waterspout south of the Oak Island pier in Brunswick County.  The possibility of waterspouts and perhaps tornadoes will continue through the early afternoon.

The southern part of New Hanover County was under a tornado warning until 11 a.m. because of reports that one of the waterspouts moved onshore.

[Click here to see a viewer's video of the spout on YouTube]

Flooding will become an issue as slow-moving storms bring very heavy downpours to many locations."

This is proof that weather can change in a heartbeat.  I hope everyone involved in the area were okay.  Thank you everyone for your pictures you shared with us.  Although scary, they were all so beautiful!  Go to WECT's Facebook Page to view the videos and pictures sent in by viewers!