Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1111 AM EDT Wed Apr 18 2018


***UPDATED FOR EF-SCALE RATING CHANGE FROM EF-1 TO EF-2***

...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY SUMMARY FOR ROCKINGHAM COUNTY TORNADO EVENT 
ON SUNDAY APRIL 15 2018...

Start Location...Entered into Rockingham County NC from the south
along Chrismon Road approximately 1 mile SE of Haw River 
End Location...Approximately 4 miles NNE of Ruffin NC between
Dibrell Road and Bradley Road
Estimated Time...525 to 546 PM EDT Sunday April 15 2018 
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF2 Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...125
mph 
Maximum Path Width...225 yards 
Path Length...17.6 miles 
Beginning Lat/Lon...36.245 / -79.643 
Ending Lat/Lon...36.480 / -79.534 
Fatalities...None 
Injuries...7

...Summary...
A tornado with a nearly continuous path entered Rockingham County
NC from the south at approximately 525 PM EDT on Sunday April 15,
2018. The tornado moved rapidly at about 45 miles toward the north
north-northeast, crossing Highway 87 about 5 miles southeast of
Reidsville, and crossed Grooms Road and Brooks Road about 4 miles
east of Reidsville. The storm progressed NNE crossing Highway 158
about 5 miles northeast of Reidsville, and then moved through the
east side of Ruffin before finally lifting between Dibrell Road 
and Bradley Road, about 4 miles north-northeast of Ruffin, at
around 546 PM EDT.

Numerous buildings,outbuildings, and barns were significantly 
damaged - including at least 20 homes and farms, and the Oak Haven 
Event Center in downtown Ruffin. Countless trees were snapped or
uprooted along the nearly 18 mile tornadic path.

Seven individuals were injured - including one father and 7-year
old son who were critically injured in their moving car when a 
doublewide home was lifted onto the 1300 Block of Grooms Road 
into oncoming traffic. 

The NWS wishes to thank Rockingham County NC Emergency Management
and Emergency Services for their invaluable assistance in support
of this damage survey - as well as area residents who graciously 
allowed intrusion on to personal property to acquire much needed 
information.

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph
EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph
EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph
EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph
EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph
EF5...Violent...>200 mph

* The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS
Storm Data.