UPDATE: Orange County officials confirmed a tornado touched down in the Mebane area during Friday’s storm, but have not yet concluded whether the damage was officially caused by a tornado itself. This article has been updated to reflect that information.

A tornado touched down in Orange County and high winds damaged a distribution center near downtown Mebane as part of a severe weather system Friday afternoon.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the Mebane, Hillsborough and Rougemont communities around 5:20 p.m. on Friday, with the tornado reportedly touching the ground shortly after. The strong winds seemingly ripped off parts of the walls of the Gildan Goldtoe Distribution Center on 7100 East Washington Street.

Footage of the wind damage to the Gildan distribution center in Mebane following a tornado touching down on May 6, 2022. (Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.)

(Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.)

Orange County Emergency Services soon confirmed the tornado’s touch down and damage along East Washington Street. Officials later told CBS 17 that 30 people were inside the Gildan building at the time of the storm, but no one was reported as injured from the wind damage.

The future of the distribution center, which is close to the border of Orange County with Alamance County, seems to be relatively limited. The Alamance News reported in March that the parent company plans to close the location this summer as part of an effort to cut down on staffing and improve efficiency. The center is reportedly expected to close on Thursday, June 30.

In addition, Orange County reported damage to homes along Frazier Road and Mace Road, as well as “several natural gas lines.” Officials said utility crews worked Friday to repair those lines, as well as downed power lines and fallen trees.

While much of central North Carolina remained under a tornado watch through 10 p.m. Friday night, the National Weather Service did not report any other tornados in Orange County and the surrounding community. The local school systems, however, canceled after-school activities ahead of the severe weather.

 

Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

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