HOLDEN BEACH, N.C. ( WBTV /Gray News) - A tornado touched down at a North Carolina beach earlier this week. According to the National Weather Service, the EF-0 tornado started as a waterspout over the Atlantic Ocean and moved onshore at Holden Beach on Thursday at about 5:45 p.m.

The warning is in effect until 6 p.m. According to the NWS, rapid action is key to staying safe during a tornado. Stay updated on tornado watches and warnings by tuning in to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio.

Much of North Carolina’s Outer Banks region is under a tropical storm watch with Hurricane Erin expected to skirt the area Wednesday through Thursday, according to the National

It’s common after a violent tornado to see debris travel dozens, if not hundreds, of kilometres downwind from the point of damage. This is called debris fallout—and it’s actually possible to see it on weather radar.

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- A tornado heavily damaged a large Pfizer pharmaceutical plant in North Carolina on Wednesday, scattering medicine and other debris around the complex.

There were tornado sightings across central North Carolina during Tropical Storm Chantal, including at the Sanford airport and in Moncure, Mebane and Snow Camp.

HOLDEN BEACH, N.C. (WBTV) - A tornado touched down at a North Carolina beach on Thursday evening. The EF-0 tornado started as a waterspout over the Atlantic Ocean and moved onshore at Holden Beach on Aug. 14 around 5:45 p.m, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a tornado warning for Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach and other areas on Thursday