HOLDEN BEACH, N.C. ( WBTV /Gray News) - A tornado touched down at a North Carolina beach earlier this week. According to the National Weather Service, the EF-0 tornado started as a waterspout over the Atlantic Ocean and moved onshore at Holden Beach on Thursday at about 5:45 p.m.

The warning is in effect until 6 p.m. According to the NWS, rapid action is key to staying safe during a tornado. Stay updated on tornado watches and warnings by tuning in to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio.

A severe storm capable of producing a tornado was spotted near Warrenton, moving north at 40 mph. 7:25 p.m. UPDATE: A new Tornado Warning is in place until 7:45 p.m. for Vance and Warren counties.

On average, North Carolina sees about 28 tornadoes per year and three in the month of August. On a single day, Tropical Storm Debby produced 10. Posted 9:23 a.m.Aug 3— Updated 9:03 p.m.Aug 12 By ...

The National Weather Service issued several tornado warnings for Wilson County and eastern North Carolina between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Thursday.

State activates more National Guard to respond to Debby Shortly after 11 a.m. Cooper, flanked by North Carolina Emergency Director Will Ray, spoke from an emergency center in Lenoir County.

Most of central North Carolina — including the Triangle — could see severe storms today, with many areas under a tornado watch in effect until 8 p.m. Friday, May 30.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a tornado warning for Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach and other nearby areas in North Carolina after a massive waterspout was spotted.“The waterspout circulation offshore has been oscillating back and forth between closer to the coast,