EF-2 tornado hits without warning

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. -- The National Weather Service issued a statement Friday night saying that the tornado that hit Gaston County struck during a time when no warning had been issued.

The NWS said the tornado touched down in Gastonia and followed a 6 1/4 mile track to Catawba Heights.

Winds speeds were estimated near 110 mph at the beginning of the track and between 115 and 120 in Catawba Heights, making the tornado an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. EF-5 is the highest ranking.

The NWS said the storm first touched down at 2:10 a.m. Friday. The NWS did not issue a tornado warning until 2:25 a.m.