Charlotte tornado watch expires, but high wind advisory remains in effect for region
The Charlotte region’s tornado watch has expired, but an advisory for high winds remains in effect for much of the day Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph are possible in the region, with periods of heavy rain.
At least one death in the South Carolina is blamed on the storms: A body was found “in a collapsed building in Seneca after a tornado touched down in the area,” reported the Greenville News.
A tornado is also believed to have touched down in the southeastern portion of Alamance County in North Carolina, according to the National Weather Service.
Damage connected to more than 40 downed trees was reported across the central part of the state, including a tree that fell into an apartment and severely injured a Charlotte woman, according to the Observer’s news partner WBTV.
That happened at 6:15 a.m. at an apartment Countrymens Court in the Starmount area and the woman was rescued after being pinned inside, the station said.
Nearly 40,000 people were without power in Mecklenburg County and about 260,000 were without power across the state early Monday, according to Duke Energy.
“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects,” the National Weather Service warned.
“Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. The combination of wet ground and gusty winds may result in downed trees and additional power outages.”
Multiple rescues due to high water were reported from in the Boone area of Watauga County, according to WBTV.
The storm front crossing the area was blamed for tornadoes in other areas.
The National Weather Service has also put the region under a severe storm warning and a wind advisory.
The line of storms produced extremely heavy rainfall and was expected to cause flooding of low lying areas, officials said.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police alert at 4 a.m. for motorist to avoid South Tryon Street near Westinghouse Boulevard due to downed power lines.
Interstate 85 is also blocked between exits 21 and 23 near Lowell in Gaston County, due to a downed power line. The state expects the area to be closed until 7 a.m.
This story was originally published April 13, 2020 at 4:41 AM.