Devastating EF3 Tornado Strikes North Carolina, Causing Widespread Damage

An EF3 tornado, with peak winds up to 150 mph, tore through central North Carolina, causing destruction and injuries. This is the first EF3 tornado ever observed in central North Carolina in July and the strongest twister on record for this time of year in the state. The tornado damaged homes, uprooted trees, and snapped power poles. A Pfizer facility in Rocky Mount was also damaged, but all staff are safe. Meanwhile, a heatwave continues to affect over 100 million Americans across 16 states, with temperatures reaching or exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the Southwest and heat index values in the 100s in the Southeast.