When most people think of tornado activity in the U.S., the Tornado Alley sweeping through the Great Plains comes to mind; you wouldn't expect North Carolina to have a tornado alley. However, there is a growing consensus that "Tornado Alley" might be shifting to the east and south - areas that already have their own tornado-prone zones - and one of them is in North Carolina! Let's take a closer look at the history of storms in the Tar Heel State and learn more about the sometimes deadly tornadoes in North Carolina.
Most people remember the end-of-April 2011 tornado outbreak that killed 38 people - 24 of them in North Carolina.
That horror story began on April 14th and just kept playing out until April 16th.
Six counties in the Tar Heel State were utterly devastated.
Among the places that received the hardest hits were Raleigh and Durham, which were slammed with severe damage, destruction, and even death. It was, by far, one of the worst outbreaks of tornadoes in North Carolina in recent history.
But it wasn't the deadliest. Unfortunately, not even close.
In 1984, 42 people died in our little state during a tornado outbreak that brought golf-ball-sized hail, terrifying storms, and deadly tornadoes to both of the Carolinas. The death toll in South Carolina was 15. North Carolina got it demonstrably worse.
So how and why do the Carolinas get their very own tornado alley (often referred to as Carolina Alley)?
The parent term itself ("tornado alley") is used to designate a region affected by tornadoes in the United States. The Tar Heel State consistently ranks high versus other states in the eastern U.S. for tornado activity.
Carolina Alley is the fourth-deadliest region in the U.S. for tornado activity.
The newest "alley" ranks fourth behind Dixie alley, Hoosier alley, and, of course, tornado alley.
The new-ish Carolina Alley extends from northern Georgia, on a narrow path across South Carolina, and then follows along the path of the I-95 corridor into North Carolina.
Where are you in relation to this region? Let us know!
Do you live in North Carolina's tornado alley? The North Carolina Department of Safety has a fantastic tornado resource page on its website. You'll learn everything from early warning signs to how to prepare, what to do during a tornado, and what actions you should take after a tornado has moved through your area.
Have you experienced any tornadoes in North Carolina? If you'd like to share some thoughts on your experience, our comments thread is always open to you. The Tar Heel State is no stranger to the devastating effects of Mother Nature. In 1916, a deadly flood swept over parts of the state. To learn more and see rare photos from that catastrophic event, check out our fascinating article about the North Carolina flood of 1916.
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