The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed a tornado event in Kinston.

“A brief tornado embedded within a large line of severe thunderstorms briefly touched down in the eastern portion of Kinston…” NWS said in their public information statement.

The tornado was given a rating of EF-1 with estimated peak winds of 100 mph and traveled 0.7 miles.

A tornado caused a path of damage starting at Plaza Boulevard where several large windows were damaged and a large air conditioning unit was blown off a store's roof. The path of destruction continued across Boy Scout Boulevard, where a wooden power pole was snapped and damage indicated wind speeds of 90-100 mph. The Salvation Army store on Boy Scout Boulevard experienced extensive damage with the wall bowing out and a dumpster being blown 100 yards.

Two healthy pine trees were snapped behind the store. The tornado then moved northeast across Darby Avenue, causing rotational damage to houses. It continued sporadically across Adkin Branch and UNC Health Care Lenoir, weakening slightly. The path crossed Airport Road, damaging a sign and causing significant roof damage to a medical building. The survey ended near the intersection of North Herritage Street and North Queen Street.