TORNADO WARNING in Lenoir County, North Carolina, in wake of Hurricane Florence
A TORNADO warning has been issued in Lenoir Country, North Carolina, by the National Weather Service.
The warning comes as the region is buffeted by Florence, a raging tropical storm which has created a massive deluge of rainfall.
Unrelenting torrents of rain have caused widespread flooding in the area, forcing hundreds of residents from their homes.
The National Weather Service has also issued a tornado warning which includes Maysville, Pollocksville and Trenton in North Carolina.
The measures, in response to the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Florence, are to instruct local residents to brace for yet more damage as the storm pummels the area.
The tornado warnings are valid until 9.30pm EDT (2.30pm BST) on Friday September 14 (September 15 in the UK).
Threat information from the warning includes the fact a tornado radar has been detected and that small marble-sized hail is possible.
A total of 8,053 people and six schools could be affected by the Maysville, Pollocksville and Trenton warning.
And a total of 6,950 people and three schools may be affected by the Lenoir County warning.
A tornado warning is an alert issued to warn the public tornadoes are imminent or occurring.
The warning can be issued after a tornado, funnel cloud and rotation in the clouds has been spotted by the public, storm chasers, emergency management or law enforcement.
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