GASTONIA, N.C. — Storm damage in Gastonia and Belmont was caused by the second of two EF1 tornadoes on Wednesday, the National Weather Service confirmed Thursday.
The tornado had maximum sustained winds of 110 mph and grew to a width of 60 mph. This tornado caused damage on the north side of Gastonia before moving east toward Belmont.
A team consisting of both the National Weather Service officials and emergency managers visited storm damage in both Cleveland and Gaston counties on Thursday. They found two separate EF1 tornadoes that caused damage Wednesday. More widespread damage was also caused by a broader line of severe thunderstorms.
The tornado began just west of U.S. 321 near Interstate 85. The tornado moved east crossing I-85 just east of U.S. 321. The tornado's path followed East Ozark Ave through Easton Gastonia and Smyre. The tornado crossed the South Fork Catawba River north of Lowell. The tornado lifted near Hickory Grove Road near Springwood.
While a tornado warning had been issued for the first tornado in Cleveland and Gaston counties, this second tornado did not have an associated tornado warning. The timing of the tornado coincides with a severe thunderstorm warning that had been issued by the National Weather Service for the area.
One person was killed in Gaston County when a tree fell on a car during the storms. Firefighters were able to rescue another person from the vehicle and they were taken to the hospital. Gaston County commissioners declared a state of emergency due to widespread damage caused by Wednesday's severe thunderstorms.
As of 5p.m. Thursday, nearly 20,000 Duke Energy customers in Gaston County are without power due to storm damage. An additional 32,000 customers were without service in Cleveland County, according to Duke Energy.
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Schools in Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties canceled class on Thursday due to power outages.
Across the greater Charlotte area, thunderstorm winds over 60 mph brought down countless trees and powerlines. Residents and utility workers are working through the day to clean up from storm damage.