Damage reports from Charlotte area counties from Wednesday's storms

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The National Weather Service has confirmed several damage reports from severe thunderstorms that hit the southeast on Wednesday.

The severe thunderstorms featured damaging winds and at least one tornado that took down trees and power lines in Union County. 

The storms moved into the Charlotte metro by 7 a.m. and quickly moved east. By 9:30 a.m., the storms were east of Union County and out of the Charlotte area. Union County felt the biggest impact Wednesday, with the National Weather Service’s preliminary data suggesting an EF-1 tornado with 90 mph winds damaged several homes. 

Across Charlotte, the storms brought impacts from heavy rain, including reduced visibility and roadway flooding. The timing of the storms means the impacts were expected during periods of the morning rush hour commute. This prompted many area schools to cancel or delay classes.

Gusty winds brought down tree branches and power lines, while damaging winds brought some structural damage.

The following is a breakdown of the damage reports in the Charlotte area:

• A tornado was reported in the area of Friendly Baptist Church and Ridge Road around 8:30 a.m. A storm survey team determined there was EF1 damage with estimated 90 mph peak wind. The tornado lasted about 3 minutes and was 2.24 miles long and 75 yards wide.
• Thunderstorm damage was reported in the same area around 8:35 a.m.
• Thunderstorm damage was reported in the same area around 8:36 a.m., with numerous trees and power lines down on Lawyers Road between I-485 and US 601. Numerous trees were also down on Friendly Church Rd.1

• Thunderstorm damage was reported in Albemarle near McGill Street around 9:18 a.m., with trees down and power outages.

• Thunderstorm damage was reported near Old Friendship Road around 8 a.m. with trees reported down in the area.

• Flooding was reported in Boone near Horne Avenue around 8:00 a.m. A road was closed by police due to flooding.