Tornado Warning Issued for Brunswick and Columbus Counties in North Carolina Until 1:30 PM EDT

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a Tornado Warning (NWS Alert Type: TOW). This alert is based on radar-indicated rotation from a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following regions in southeastern North Carolina:

• West central Brunswick County
• East central Columbus County

Specific locations in the path of this storm include Crusoe Island, Exum, Makatoka, and Honey Island.

What You Should Do

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

Do not wait to see or hear the tornado, as heavy rainfall may hide it from view. Residents are encouraged to report hail or wind damage to the National Weather Service office in Wilmington at 1-800-697-3901.

Expected Conditions

• Hazard: Tornado
• Source: Radar indicated rotation
• Impact: Flying debris will be dangerous to those without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles is expected, and tree damage is likely.
• Storm Movement: At 1:05 PM EDT, the storm was located near Crusoe Island (10 miles southeast of Whiteville), moving southeast at 45 mph.

Timeline

The warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to expire at 1:30 PM EDT on March 12, 2026.

Estimated Arrival Times:

• Crusoe Island: 1:10 PM EDT
• Exum and Makatoka: 1:20 PM EDT
• Honey Island: 1:25 PM EDT