Dorian was downgraded from a category 3 hurricane to a category 2 as of 11am this morning, but that hasn’t stopped the storm from bringing tornados to the Carolinas. One tornado touched down in Horry County near Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. Two touched down in Pender County, one near Hampstead. A tornado was reported in Brunswick County near Calabash. All occurred before 11am on Thursday.
North Myrtle Beach city spokesman Patrick Dowling says officials believe one or more suspected tornadoes from Hurricane Dorian damaged several residences and mobile homes in the city Thursday morning. Dowling told The Associated Press no injuries were reported, but several residents were taken to shelters.
Isolated tornadoes are common when tropical storms and hurricanes affect land. A tornado watch was issued for parts of northern South Carolina and southeast North Carolina until 4 p.m. Residents of the Coastal Carolinas should remain alert.