NEWTON, N.C. – The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in Catawba County as powerful storms ripped across the Carolinas Monday.
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The tornado, which was located approximately 3.5 miles southeast of Newton, was an EF0 tornado with estimated maximum wind speeds of 85 mph.
Update...EF-0 Tornado confirmed near Newton Yesterday. #ncwx pic.twitter.com/7fYaZyEHgF
— Brad Panovich (@wxbrad) May 2, 2017
Possible tornado in SE Catawba co. @wcnc pic.twitter.com/rhf0k4EVi0
— John Wendel wcnc (@johnwcnc) May 1, 2017
“The wind picked up horribly and the rain started circling like crazy,” said Katie Carmen.
Officials say the storm had a maximum width of 25 yards and a three-mile path that was not continuous.
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“Power went out and about a minute later it was really loud and really quick, sounded like hail hitting,” said Bryan Fletcher.