EF-3 Tornado Touches Down in North Carolina, Catastrophic Flooding in W. Kentucky

news image
Special Stories
20 Jul 2023 2:00 PM

On Wednesday morning torrential rainfall fell in western Kentucky, leading to flash flood emergencies for many communities, including Mayfield, KY. If that name sounds familiar it is because only 18 months ago, in December of 2021, a powerful EF-4 tornado tore through the community. People still rebuilding from the immense damage were hit with another natural disaster this week. Our field correspondents were on the ground in W. KY, noting the extreme flooding taking over neighborhoods.

A widespread 6-7" of rain fell in the area, with even a new state record of over 11" in 24 hours! There was simply nowhere for the water to go.

That same storm system then moved into the Carolinas Wednesday afternoon, producing a tornado in northern North Carolina. That tornado was rated as an EF-3, destroying communities and a Pfizer medical plant in Rocky Mount, NC. Numerous storms were seen in North Carolina and eastern Virginia, including a tornado warning in the VA Beach metro that caused widespread flooding.

Join WeatherNation for the top weather headlines, always streaming 24/7 for the latest on flooding and severe weather concerns.

All Weather News
More
TROPICS: Fernand Spins Around Atlantic, Four Areas to Watch in the Pacific

TROPICS: Fernand Spins Around Atlantic, Four Areas to Watch in the Pacific

About two-thirds of all Atlantic hurricane ac

27 Aug 2025 2:50 AM
More Records Fall Behind Impressive Front

More Records Fall Behind Impressive Front

A strong Summer cold front knifed its way thr

27 Aug 2025 2:25 AM
Monsoon Moisture Surges, Flood Risk From California to Colorado

Monsoon Moisture Surges, Flood Risk From California to Colorado

A surge of Monsoon moisture is streaming acro

27 Aug 2025 2:25 AM
Northwest: Fire Danger and Flooding

Northwest: Fire Danger and Flooding

Conditions for the Northwest have been hot an

27 Aug 2025 2:25 AM
Heat Alerts Continue for the Northwest

Heat Alerts Continue for the Northwest

Upper-level high pressure will stay dominant

26 Aug 2025 9:35 AM
Monsoon Moisture Drifts Into The Northwest

Monsoon Moisture Drifts Into The Northwest

A surge of Monsoon moisture is headed for the

26 Aug 2025 8:10 AM
Front Brings Storms to the Midwest and Front Range

Front Brings Storms to the Midwest and Front Range

A strong cold front is pushing across the Fro

25 Aug 2025 2:30 AM