Multiple tornadoes touch down across North Carolina as Tropical Storm Debby pushes through the state

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Last updated: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 6:32PM GMT
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RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Debby spawned five confirmed tornadoes so far Thursday -- and that doesn't include one twister Wednesday.

They were:
Wednesday

  • Harrells, NC (Sampson County) 2:03 p.m.

Thursday

  • Lucama (Wilson County) 2:17 a.m.
  • Spring Hope (Franklin County) 8:13 a.m.
  • Kittrell (Franklin County into Vance County) 3:45 p.m.
  • Bunn to Louisburg (Franklin County) 4 p.m.
  • Epsom (Franklin County to southern Vance County) 6:56 p.m.

Debby, which entered North Carolina as a tropical storm but has since weakened into a tropical depression, continued to slam central North Carolina.

Tornadoes caused some extensive damage to multiple buildings and killed a man.

MORE | See all active weather alerts here

A tornado watch remains in effect until 7 a.m. Friday. A flood watch is also in effect through Friday evening.

As of 10:45 p.m., nearly 28,000 people across the state remained without power.

In the 11 p.m., update, Debby remained a tropical depression with sustained winds of 30 mph and was heading full steam into Virginia moving north-northeast at 26 mph. Tornado threats remain overnight from eastern North Carolina into Virginia and Maryland. On Friday, the tornado threats will mostly be for parts of New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and southeast New York.

As for the ABC11 viewing area, skies should be clearing by Friday afternoon and evening with highs in the mid-80s. Saturday brings a mix of clouds and sun with temperatures around 90 and a chance for storms.

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Aug 09, 2024, 6:56 AM GMT

Debby leaves significant damage in NC before heading to the northeast

The remnants of Debby picked up the pace Friday, moving north and northeast from the Carolinas and still packing a punch with heavy rains, flash flooding and the threat of tornadoes.

The Mid-Atlantic states and parts of New York and New England will see significant rainfall that could cause dangerous flooding into the weekend, such as on parts of Interstate 95 near bigger cities, said Jon Porter, Accuweather's chief meteorologist. From eastern Virginia up to Vermont there may be an active stretch of tornadoes on Friday, he said.

"There will be multiple threats in Debby's final chapter, and it's a dangerous one," he said.

Read more here.

Debris from a tornado spun off by the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby, litters the campus of Springfield Middle School in Lucama, N.C.
Debris from a tornado spun off by the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby, litters the campus of Springfield Middle School in Lucama, N.C.
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Aug 09, 2024, 3:38 AM GMT

Durham residents wait hours for power to come back on

The power has come back on for residents in a Durham community near Hope Valley Farms.

That's close to South Roxboro Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

But they had to wait for about six hours. Many others are still waiting.

The power has come back on for residents in a Durham community near Hope Valley Farms, but they had to wait about six hours.

As of 11 p.m., nearly 250 people in Durham remained without power.

Read more here.

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Aug 09, 2024, 1:25 AM GMT

Sources identify man killed in Wilson County tornado

Multiple sources told ABC11 that the man who died when a tornado tore through his Wilson County home was Bryan Barnes.

Barnes was found in his bedroom on the first floor, presumed sleeping at the time the tornado hit, according to Chief Walt Williamson with the Rock Ridge Fire Department.

The two-story home was one of at least 10 homes damaged by the tornado overnight as then-Tropical Storm Debby moved through eastern North Carolina.

Evelyn Scott, who lives in the next house over, said Barnes had the biggest heart and that the house had been in his family for decades.

Read more here and watch for the latest on Eyewitness News at 11.

Aug 09, 2024, 3:38 AM GMT

Flood waters strand residents in Sandhills

Tropical Storm Debby marched its way across North Carolina on Thursday, bringing heavy flooding to areas in the Sandhills.

Residents in the Northwood Community in Raeford were left stranded after water rose to their driveways, covering the main road.

ABC11 spoke to one resident who said his friend underestimated the depth of the water before his car became stuck about two feet of water.

Fencing in Cross Creek was also destroyed Thursday by rushing waters in the area. The area is often the "measuring stick" for how much rain Fayetteville receives.

The NCDOT said it's closely monitoring I-95 near Lumberton because the Lumber River is expected to crest over the weekend

Drivers should avoid travel until the storm has safely passed. Please exercise caution, especially in areas known to flood.

A flooded street might appear harmless but there is no way to tell how deep the water is. Turn around, don't drown.

Tropical Storm Debby marched its way across North Carolina on Thursday, bringing heavy flooding to areas in the Sandhills.