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
Tropical Update: EPAC Active; Atlantic Quiet

Tropical Update: EPAC Active; Atlantic Quiet

Pacific BasinThe Pacific Ocean has been incre

30 Sep 2026 12:15 PM
Flood Threat to Bring Big Changes to Texas

Flood Threat to Bring Big Changes to Texas

Hurricane Polo is moving north, set to make l

30 Sep 2026 12:05 PM
Plains & Midwest Set To Receive Heavy Rain

Plains & Midwest Set To Receive Heavy Rain

WHAT TO EXPECTTropical moisture from the remn

30 Sep 2026 12:00 PM
Another Round of Flooding Possible for the Southwest

Another Round of Flooding Possible for the Southwest

In the last month, the southwestern states of

30 Sep 2026 11:50 AM
Powerful Nor’easter Slams East Coast over the Weekend

Powerful Nor’easter Slams East Coast over the Weekend

A Nor'easter...in September? While most peopl

28 Sep 2026 6:30 PM
Nolo Moving West; Flooding Still Possible on Kauai

Nolo Moving West; Flooding Still Possible on Kauai

Hurricane Nolo spared the Hawaiian Islands fr

28 Sep 2026 12:45 PM
Major Flooding Possible in the Desert Southwest This Week

Major Flooding Possible in the Desert Southwest This Week

FLASH FLOODINGIt has been a very active week

24 Sep 2026 12:10 PM