Nearly 5,000 tons of tornado debris cleared in Brunswick County

By Sydney Franklin, WRAL multiplatform producer

Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Transportation and a state contract company have picked up 4,945 tons of debris from a EF-3 tornado that hit Brunswick County in February.

The tornado killed three people and damaged much of the Ocean Ridge Plantation neighborhood. About 3,500 tons of debris was picked up in the neighborhood alone. 

In a statement, the NCDOT said the amount of debris picked up would have covered a football field and would be about 14 feet tall.

The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office said the tornado touched down on Feb. 15 near Seaside Road and U.S. Highway 17, and remained on the ground for about 30 minutes.

Gas leaks, damage to commercial buildings, downed trees and power lines were reported after the tornado. The National Weather Service confirmed the twister was an EF-3 tornado with winds up to 160 mph. It carved a path across Brunswick County and into Columbus County, officials said.

Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order on March 4 allowing NCDOT to help with cleanup in the private neighborhood since the department typically focuses on state-maintained roads.