Tornado Touches Down in Mebane; Distribution Center Damaged

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.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

‹

New Fire, EMS Station Celebrates Opening in Hillsborough's Waterstone Community

The Orange Rural Fire Department and Orange County EMS hosted visitors Sunday to celebrate the opening of the Waterstone Fire & EMS station.

Orange County's Kirby Saunders on Chantal Anniversary and Its Emergency Management Lessons – On Air Today (July 7, 2026)

Orange County Emergency Services Director Kirby Saunders speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell about the recent anniversary of Tropical Storm Chantal.

Orange County Reports First Fatality From Storm; Shelter Opens for Flood Victims

As the area continues assessing storm damage and waiting for high waters to recede, Orange County opened a public shelter at Smith Middle School.

Local Gov. Services in Orange County Closed on Monday After Flooding, Road Damage

Several typical local government services in Orange County are delayed or closed entirely on Monday, July 7 as the area continues responding and recovering from flash flooding and storm damage from Tropical Depression Chantal. Under the state of emergency issued on Sunday night, the Orange County government said all of its offices and facilities will […]

Orange County Celebrates Opening of First Purpose-Built, Standalone EMS Station

Orange County recently celebrated the opening of its first purpose-built EMS facility, working to improve the comfort of first-responders.

Orange, Chatham Local Governments Offer Services and Relief to NC Amid Helene Response

As western North Carolina continues to reconcile with the extent of storm damage from Hurricane Helene, the Orange and Chatham County governments are offering a hand.

On Air Today: OC Sheriff Charles Blackwood, Emergency Services Director Kirby Saunders, and PIO Alicia Stemper

Charles Blackwood, Kirby Saunders, and Alicia Stemper join 97.9 The Hill on Monday, August 19 to talk about last week's local manhunt.

After Review, Orange County Says Boom in Hillsborough Was 2.2 Magnitude Earthquake

UPDATE: On Friday, the Orange County government said the U.S. Geological Survey completed a review and determined the loud noise ultimately was a small earthquake.

Construction on New Orange County EMS Station Breaks Ground

If you’re driving by it, you might not notice Orange County EMS Station 4 right away. The current facility not far from Interstate 40/85 looks nondescript — despite an ambulance being parked outside. Kim Woodward, the EMS Division Chief for Orange County, says the lone ambulance parked at the station must park outside because it won’t […]

Tornado Touches Down in Mebane; Distribution Center Damaged

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 […]

›