A cluster of storms is moving into the metro very early Thursday morning, with mainly heavy rain and lightning.
A brief gust of wind can’t be ruled out but the threat of severe damaging winds is quite low this morning.
FORECAST UPDATE:
Strong storms on Wednesday afternoon brought high winds, heavy wind, lightning, and hail causing widespread damage across the Charlotte area.
There have been several reports of downed trees and power lines, which caused more than 100,000 Duke Energy customers to lose power Wednesday afternoon.
In Gaston County, officials declared a state of emergency, and school was canceled for Thursday. Strong winds knocked a large tree over onto an SUV traveling on South New Hope Road, killing the driver and injuring a passenger.
Cleveland County Schools also announced the district will not hold classes on Thursday.
WEATHER RESOURCES:
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VIDEO BELOW: Chopper 9 flies over widespread damage
THURSDAY UPDATES:
2 a.m.
A tornado watch issued for Upstate South Carolina has been extended to include Chester and York counties until 4 a.m. Storms moving through those areas could briefly produce a tornado, but there is no immediate threat.
WEDNESDAY UPDATES:
9:15 p.m.: Cleveland County Schools will not have class on Thursday due to Wednesday’s storms.
9 p.m.: American Red Cross disaster-trained volunteers are currently assisting people in Gaston County. The Red Cross opened a shelter at 519 W. Franklin Blvd. in Gastonia.
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8:45 p.m.: There will be no school for students in the Gaston County Schools district on Thursday, officials announced.
6:45 p.m.
Airborne Boat
Storms in Fallston toppled trees and blocked roads all over, including this one on Highway 18. When the roots were upended, the boat resting under the tree was lifted about 4 feet off the ground. We are told another tree fell on a home nearby. No major injuries. pic.twitter.com/Chz42vdj93— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) May 8, 2024
6:15 p.m.: Gaston County declared a state of emergency as first responders work to clear roads of downed power lines, and broken trees and provide aid to residents in need.
At 5:30 p.m., more than 37% of Gaston County power customers were without power.
“We’re working as quickly as we can to make sure our residents are safe and downed trees and debris is moved out of roadways so power crews can work on getting power restored,” Chairman Chad Brown said.
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6 p.m.: One person was killed, and another was hurt Wednesday afternoon after a tree fell on a vehicle south of Belmont, Gaston County emergency services said. Read more here.
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5:45 p.m.: Severe thunderstorm warning for Richmond County until 6:15 p.m.
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5:35 p.m.: Severe thunderstorms warnings in effect for Anson, Lancaster, Stanly, and Chesterfield counties.
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5:30 p.m. : Severe thunderstorm warning for Chesterfield County until 6:30 p.m.
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5:20 p.m.: Severe Weather Center 9 updates (Video below)
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VIDEO: Glenn Counts covers storm damage in Gaston County
VIDEO: Ken Lemon in Shelby
VIDEO: Gaston County, Cleveland County
VIDEO: East Charlotte
VIDEO: Plaza Midwood
4:50 p.m.: Severe thunderstorm warnings issued for Cabarrus, Chester, Union, Anson, Lancaster, Stanly, Chesterfield, and York counties.
Check out this timelapse of a strong storm that swept across Charlotte Wednesday afternoon.
Posted by WSOC-TV on Wednesday, May 8, 2024
4:45 p.m.: Tens of thousands of Duke Energy customers have lost power
4:40 p.m.: Severe Thunderstorm Warning extended for areas of Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties until 5:15 p.m.
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4:20 p.m.
Traffic lights are out, trees are down, roads are flooding. It’s a mess near Uptown right now.
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) May 8, 2024
4:15 p.m. Forecast update
4:05 p.m.: Message from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: The storm may delay bus transportation for CMS. After school activities may also experience impacts. All outdoor activities will be moving indoors and some schools may have late dismissals due to the weather conditions.
Gaston County Schools officials said that dismissal was delayed.
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4 p.m.:
“Storm Warning”
Fire department horns echoed a weather warning just a few minutes before strong winds, heavy rain, and pea-sized hail dropped on the city. pic.twitter.com/E8Wq3X9YTs— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) May 8, 2024
3:50 p.m.
3:45 p.m.: Tornado warnings have expired.
3:20 p.m.: Severe thunderstorm warnings issued for Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, and York counties until 4:45 p.m. This storm will contain wind gusts to 70 mph.
3:10 p.m.: VIDEO BELOW: Channel 9′s Ken Lemon reports from Shelby
3 p.m.: A tornado warning was issued for Cleveland, Gaston, and Lincoln counties until 3:45 p.m.
Tornado Warning for Cleveland, Gaston, and Lincoln County in NC until 3:45pm.
— WSOCWeather (@WSOCWeather) May 8, 2024
2:30 p.m.: the first severe thunderstorm warning was issued for our area. That included Burke, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties until 3:45 p.m.
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