WNCT marks date of 2011 deadly tornadoes

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — April 16, 2011, is a day that many in Eastern North Carolina will never forget.

Thirteen years ago Tuesday, there was an outbreak of over 30 tornadoes across North Carolina, killing 24 people statewide. Half of those tornadoes were in the eastern part of the state. Three tornadoes were long-tracked, one of them ripping through Bertie County, killing 11 people.

David Sawyer, meteorologist at WNCT, remembers it like it was yesterday.

“I told the viewers that a tornado or a funnel cloud, I should say, was spotted over Ayden, just south of Greenville, heading toward WNCT the station on Evans Street. I knew at that moment that if that funnel cloud touched down as a tornado, it would be coming right up Evans Street. So I on-air said, I’d like for everyone that is in the sound of my voice here in this station to get into your safe area,” said Sawyer.

He also said it’s about staying safe and being smart. Get down to something, the lowest level, cover your head and stay there until the danger is gone.

Click the above video to find out more.

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