Local Storm Report
Issued by NWS Greer, SC
Issued by NWS Greer, SC
118 NWUS52 KGSP 060745 LSRGSP Preliminary Local Storm Report National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 345 AM EDT Thu Jun 6 2024 ..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 1215 AM Tornado 3 SSE Gay 35.25N 83.26W 05/09/2024 Jackson NC NWS Storm Survey This tornado touched down in a heavily wooded area in the Cowee Mountains just east of Pumpkintown and near the Macon County line. The tornado produced minor tree damage as it ascended a ridge near Kirby Knob. The tornado rapidly strengthened as it descended through Cullowhee Gap and crossed Tilley Creek Road. Multiple trees were uprooted along the road with numerous large branches snapped. The tornado quickly reached peak intensity of EF-2 with 115mph winds just east of Tilley Creek Road where an extensive swath of trees received considerable damage. Approximately 80% of the trees in this swath were either snapped or uprooted with the trees still standing having multiple branches snapped off. The tornado weakened back to a high-end EF- 1 snapping or uprooting many trees as it passed just below Moss Knob. The tornado turned southeast remaining in a remote and heavily wooded area as it continued to down numerous trees between Pine Knob and Low Ridge with the damage path focused near Whiterock Creek. Several trees were uprooted where the tornado crossed White Rock Road near Cullowhee Mountain Road. The tornado then entered the Cullowhee Forest community where numerous trees were downed along Walking Stick Trail as the tornado paralleled Hunter Jim Creek. After exiting Cullowhee Forest, the tornado crossed the West Fork Tuckasegee River and Highway 107 just below Trout Creek Road. High-end EF-1 damage was once again noted as the tornado crossed Highway 107 and ascended a ridge where a stand of trees received modest damage with approximately 60% of the trees felled. The tornado then passed through the northern portion of the Sims Valley community just on the south side of Trout Creek. Numerous trees were downed along the mountainside with several trees brought down in the Trout Creek Campground, which was on the northern fringes of the tornadic circulation. The tornado turned southeast one more time before dissipating in a wooded area near Big Ridge. This tornado occurred across very rugged terrain with limited to no vehicle access across large portions of the damage path. High resolution satellite imagery, drone imagery, and personal photographs from residents were used to help fill data gaps and estimate start/end points. NWS Greenville-Spartanburg would like to thank Jackson County Emergency Management for providing drone imagery and residents for sharing their personal damage pictures and video. && $$ TW