Thursday afternoon got loud in southeastern North Carolina as a fast-moving severe thunderstorm barreled over Wilmington International Airport, kicking up wind gusts near 60 mph, dumping pockets of brief but heavy rain, and putting trees and power lines at risk. Emergency officials urged residents to head indoors and brace for a quick round of nasty, low-visibility driving conditions while the line pushed through.
What The National Weather Service Warned
The National Weather Service in Wilmington issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 2:59 p.m., noting that the storm cell was located over Wilmington International Airport and sliding southeast at about 30 mph. National Weather Service Wilmington reported a 60 mph wind gust at the airport and advised anyone in the warning area to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Forecasters warned that the storm could cause wind damage to trees and power lines. The alert covered New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties and was set to remain in effect until 3:30 p.m.
Where The Warning Applies
The bulletin specifically called out Wilmington, Leland, Wrightsville Beach, Figure Eight Island and nearby neighborhoods including Masonboro and Porters Neck as being in the path. As reported by the Raleigh News & Observer, smaller communities and nearby college campuses also landed inside the polygon. People in those spots were urged to pause outdoor activities and avoid trying to drive through any flooded streets while the storm moved over the area.
Lightning And Safety
Along with the wind, lightning was a serious concern. The National Weather Service estimates about 25 million cloud-to-ground strikes hit the United States each year, and lightning kills roughly 20 people annually, according to NWS lightning safety guidance. That guidance urges everyone to head indoors, stay away from windows, avoid corded phones and plumbing, and wait at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder before going back outside. With the strong gusts reported, officials also warned that unsecured outdoor items and large trees could turn into hazards during the squall line.
Reporting Damage And Staying Informed
Once the storm passes, any downed lines or damage should be reported to authorities. The Raleigh News & Observer notes that the Wilmington forecast office asks residents to call 1‑800‑697‑3901 to report hail or wind damage. Local emergency management agencies and power companies were watching for outages and reminding people to treat all downed lines as dangerous. Anyone with outdoor plans along the coast was encouraged to keep tabs on updated information from local broadcasters and the National Weather Service on their usual channels.
