NWS confirms tornado touched down in Gaston County on Thursday

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down on Thursday when a band of storms pushed through the area.

The tornado is believed to have touched down near Old Willis School Road at around 6:10 p.m. before crossing Highway 27 on the south side of Stanley and dissipating east of Stanley-Lucia Road around 6:18 p.m.

Wind speeds reached a maximum of about 75 mph, while the funnel reached a width of about 25 yards.

The EF-0 tornado was only on the ground for an approximately six-mile stretch.

Scattered tree and limb damage was observed along the tornado’s path.

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