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.


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TW