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Vault Visit: EF-3 Tornado slams Sanford in April 2011

On April 16, 2011, an EF-3 tornado was on the ground for more than 68 miles from Moore County to Raleigh.

SANFORD, N.C. — This year, WFMY News 2 turns 75! So, to look back, we're opening the WFMY News 2 Vault.

This is a time of year when the Piedmont can experience severe weather. On April 16, 2011, an extensive storm system brought this to the Piedmont.

One of the storms spawned an EF-3 tornado. It was on the ground more than 68 miles from Moore County to Raleigh.

It caused significant damage in Sanford, a town in Lee County—the hometown of our own Ed Matthews. 

It damaged Ed's childhood home and killed his cousin Mike. Thankfully. His mom and sister survived. 

It also flattened a Lowe's home improvement store. Thankfully, all the customers and employees inside stayed safe when the storm touched down.

In all, the storm killed six people. It hurt a hundred more and damaged dozens of homes and businesses.  

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