NWS: Waterspout turned EF0 tornado causes minor damage in Surf City

SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — The National Weather Service in Wilmington says a waterspout briefly moved onshore in the Surf City area this morning.

They say it happened around 11:30 a.m.

After NWS crews surveyed the area they say the waterspout came ashore as an EF0 tornado with winds up to 70 mph.

They say the tornado moved over a house on the beach and then crossed South Ocean Boulevard before dissipating along Seahorse Avenue.

Pender County Emergency Management said there is some minor damage near Seahorse Avenue.

Anna Saldo-Burke is vacationing in Surf City and saw it happen. She said as it moved closer to shore it picked up an umbrella out of the stand on her deck and lifted it 20 feet away. She said the waterspout lasted about a minute.

A storm spawned a waterspout in the area of 1100 S Shore Drive around 11:58 this morning. Some minor damage to personal property reported.

— Surf City Police (@surfcitypolice) July 19, 2017