Tornado caused damage in Granville County, National Weather Service says

Friday, May 5, 2017
The National Weather Service says an EF1 tornado - with winds of 95 miles per hour - is to blame for downed trees and damage that hit Granville County Friday morning.

The confirmation comes after storms blew through much of the ABC11 viewing area, prompting severe thunderstorm warnings and a tornado watch throughout the state.
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ABC11 Meteorologist Steve Stewart traveled to Granville County on Friday to assess the damage.

Steve Stewart assesses tornado damage in Granville Co.


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A second tornado was confirmed near Rockyhock in Chowan County.



There were several reports of fallen trees, including at an Oxford home where branches from a large oak tree crashed through the roof.




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The home's owner, Phyllis Stark, said the tree gutted the room her grandson often sleeps in. However, when the storm hit between 5 a.m. to 5:15 a.m., he was at his house next door.

Stark's daughter, Tiffany Boone, said around the same time a man on his way to work stopped in her driveway because he was concerned about the weather.

"He said that the area in front him ... the wind started blowing really hard and everything turned green and he saw the funnel," she said.



Boone also said one neighbor lost a chicken coop, and 400 chickens have yet to be found.

No one was injured, according to the sheriff's office.

Earlier in the morning, a tree fell across Garrett Road in Durham around 2:30 a.m. as storms moved through. An unsuspecting driver ended up slamming into the downed tree, but appeared to be okay.

RELATED: Driver slams into downed tree in Durham
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Three hours later on the same roadway, authorities had to rescue a person when their vehicle stalled after they tried to drive through high water on the road.

Driver tries to drive through high water in Durham


The storms also prompted a flood warning for the Neuse River near Goldsboro.

Rising Neuse River creates challenges for homeowners


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