At least five tornadoes struck Central North Carolina on Sunday, October 11, 2026, causing widespread damage in Raleigh and Fayetteville.
Why it matters: The tornadoes, part of the remnants of Hurricane Isaias, led to substantial damage across various neighborhoods, prompting emergency responses and assessments.
Numerous tornado warnings were issued starting around noon, with the National Weather Service confirming close to six tornado touchdowns.
Damage reports include downed trees, destroyed homes, and overturned vehicles, particularly in northeast Raleigh and parts of Fayetteville.
Emergency management officials confirmed no injuries have been reported, though extensive property damage occurred.
Driving the news: Severe thunderstorms moved through central North Carolina on Sunday, impacting areas including Cary, Apex, and Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. Tornado warnings were in effect until 12:15 p.m.
The first tornado warning was issued around 10 a.m., with the last expiring at 3 p.m., indicating a prolonged period of severe weather.
Reports of damage emerged from various neighborhoods, including Blue Blossom Drive and Groveshire Drive in Raleigh, where homes sustained substantial damage.
In Fayetteville, five buildings along Skibo Road experienced structural damage, and several HVAC units were dislodged at a Walmart.
State of play: The National Weather Service confirmed multiple tornado touchdowns, with crews surveying damage across the region.
Wake County experienced three confirmed tornadoes, with the hardest-hit areas near the Neuse River, particularly the 5401 North and Neuse Crossing neighborhoods.
Damage included uprooted trees and debris scattered across streets, with residents sharing videos of the chaos.
Fayetteville reported severe damage at a Sam's Club, with vehicles flipped over and part of a hotel roof torn off.
The big picture: The storms resulted in nearly 3,000 power outages across the region, with Duke Energy reporting about 2,000 outages in Vance and Cumberland counties alone.
Emergency response teams are in place, assisting with search and rescue operations and assessing damage.
Governor Josh Stein thanked first responders for their efforts, emphasizing the importance of public safety during such severe weather events.
The storms also led to flash flooding and landslides in western North Carolina, exacerbating the emergency response needs.
What they're saying: Residents described harrowing experiences as the tornadoes swept through their neighborhoods.
"I would have been sitting right there when that roof was collapsing," Eric Grubbs said, recalling how alerts prompted him to take shelter just before his living room window blew out.
Will Johnson, whose home was damaged, described the storm: "It only lasted like 60 seconds, really. Then we went outside and saw trampolines in our backyard, fences down. Yeah, it was crazy."
Lisa MacDougall, a Clayton resident, recounted her experience: "Everything was spinning. So I looked, and it was raining real hard, and I just told everyone, 'Get in the hallway and squat down and let it pass.'"
By the numbers: The storm's impact was felt across numerous counties, with extensive damage reported.
At least five confirmed tornadoes touched down, with the potential for three to six additional touchdowns yet to be confirmed.
Over 22,000 power outages were reported statewide, with half occurring in mountainous regions due to severe weather conditions.
Major damage was reported in Franklin County, particularly west of Louisburg, with trees down along N.C. Highway 56.
What's next: Crews will continue to assess damage and coordinate recovery efforts across affected areas.
The National Weather Service plans to survey all confirmed tornado sites to understand the extent of the damage.
Residents are advised to remain weather-aware and follow local emergency guidelines as cleanup and recovery efforts begin.
Emergency management officials will work with federal partners to support impacted communities in the coming days.