Penny-sized hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph blasted parts of southeastern North Carolina on Sunday afternoon, sending people scrambling for cover across small communities in Columbus and Robeson counties. The severe thunderstorms churned out hail up to about three-quarters of an inch in diameter and winds strong enough to snap tree branches and knock down power lines.
What the National Weather Service warned
The National Weather Service office in Wilmington issued an updated severe thunderstorm warning that stayed in effect until 4:45 p.m. Sunday, noting a storm cell was located over Fair Bluff, about 14 miles east of Mullins, and tracking northeast at roughly 20 mph. Forecasters warned the storm could drop penny-sized hail (0.75 inches) and generate wind gusts up to 60 mph, and urged residents to head for an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, according to NWS Wilmington.
The warning specifically called out a long list of small towns in the path of the storm: Chadbourn, Fair Bluff, Boardman, Cherry Grove, Evergreen, Barnesville, Cerro Gordo, Marietta, Proctorville and Orrum. Anyone who spotted hail or wind damage was asked to call the Wilmington office at 1-800-697-3901, as reported by the News & Observer. The outlet also noted that lightning hits the United States about 25 million times each year and that most lightning deaths - roughly 20 annually - occur during summer thunderstorms.
Driving and lightning safety
The NWS reminded drivers that the risk of hydroplaning climbs with both speed and standing water, and recommended slowing down, switching on headlights, and staying in middle lanes when possible. Forecasters also stressed the importance of turning around at flooded roadways instead of trying to push through, and advised people to avoid touching corded phones or plumbing during storms. Residents should wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before heading back outside, per NWS Wilmington.
Where this fits
Sunday’s storms fit into a recurring pattern of fast-moving summer cells that have been firing up across Bladen, Columbus and Robeson counties in recent weeks, bringing pockets of hail and strong winds. That stretch has already included a similar penny-sized hail event in late June. Local officials and utility crews were watching for downed trees and power outages, and residents were urged to keep an eye on county emergency channels and NWS alerts for any follow-up warnings.
