CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Strong severe storms passed through the Charlotte metro area on Wednesday, bringing damaging winds, heavy rains and toppling trees, causing widespread power outages. Another round of storms moved in overnight, impacting the morning commute for many and causing over 20 schools in the area to close Thursday.
The storm started to move into town around 3 p.m. when a tornado warning was issued for Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties that stayed active for nearly an hour. The National Weather Service reported widespread wind damage including downed trees and power lines in Gaston County around western Gastonia, Kings Mountain and Bessemer City after that storm cell passed. There are reports of quarter-sized hail in Bessemer City, too.
WCNC Charlotte viewer Carlos Manuela said dozens of cars were trapped in between Lowell and Spencer Mountain. Huge trees fell, blocking the road, but residents banded together with Ranlo Fire Engine 191 to start to saw the tree limbs to clear the road.
"Thank God for these boys," Manuela said.
For the latest weather alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.
They weren't alone as reports of huge trees collapsing onto roadways barraged first responders from Belmont to Charlotte. It wasn't just trees falling onto streets, as even a trampoline was spotted on Brookshire Boulevard.
Wild winds whipped around Uptown, turning patio umbrellas inside out.
Roads weren't the only victims of trees, as many homes sustained significant damage, including one on Mack Street in Charlotte.
The renter who lives in the house luckily only got scraped on his head from a part of the ceiling collapsing, but unfortunately, the house was deemed uninhabitable b the fire department.
WCNC Charlotte’s Weather IQ YouTube channel gives detailed explainers from the WCNC Charlotte weather meteorologists to help you learn and understand weather, climate and science. Watch previous stories where you can raise your Weather IQ in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.
