The National Weather Service confirmed Friday evening that an EF-1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 90 mph touched down near Casar in Cleveland County, producing tree and minor structural damage along a track of about seven miles.
Where the tornado tracked and what it damaged
Survey teams identified the first damage along Parker Road near Jesse Mountain Road, where several large pine trees were uprooted or snapped near their trunks. The most concentrated damage occurred as the tornado moved eastward across Dirty Ankle Road and Ankle Road. Investigators found numerous uprooted and snapped trees and several homes with mostly minor damage.
- An attached porch on a manufactured home was displaced several feet.
- A camper was overturned; one occupant inside that camper sustained minor injuries.
- The tornado continued east into far northwestern Lincoln County, causing sporadic tree damage near North Carolina Highway 10 before dissipating near the Lincoln–Catawba county line.
Casar is located in Cleveland County, roughly a 30-minute drive south and west of Hickory. The National Weather Service estimated the twister remained on the ground for about seven miles.
Local impact and safety reminders
Although reported structural damage was largely minor, tornadic wind gusts of this strength can down large trees and damage manufactured housing and outbuildings. One person was treated for minor injuries after the camper incident; there were no reports of fatalities in the initial survey.
Residents in Cleveland, Lincoln and neighboring counties should continue to monitor official channels for cleanup and recovery information, follow directions from local emergency management, and report damage or hazards such as downed power lines. The National Weather Service and local broadcasters remain the authoritative sources for any additional storm surveys or watches and warnings.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rating | EF-1 |
| Estimated peak winds | 90 mph |
| Approximate ground track | About 7 miles |
| Primary counties affected | Cleveland, northwestern Lincoln |
| Reported injuries | One minor |
Local emergency management and utility crews will likely be conducting damage assessments and clearing downed trees in the coming days. Residents with storm-related insurance claims should document damage with photos and contact their providers and local officials for guidance.
For current watches, warnings and official storm surveys, check updates from the National Weather Service and Cleveland County emergency management.
