Reports of fallen trees, closed roads, downed lines and power outages were piling up before lunchtime on Thursday, as wind gusts reached up to 50 mph.
The worst of the storms may be yet to come. According to WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze, the storm risk will be greatest between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Storm damage left thousands without power, most in Wake and Lee counties, without power, and major roadways were closed. Duke Energy released a warning about "extremely gusty conditions" that could trigger an increased likelihood of power outages across the state. Duke Energy encourages customers to prepare in case outage times are extended.
Customers without power as of 5:30 p.m.:
- North Carolina: 5,958
- Wake County: 94
- Durham County: 3
- Lee County: 1,150
Parts of our area on Thursday morning saw significant wind damage and downed trees with very few thunderstorms. Some of the worst damage was in Moore and Lee counties, where together at one point more than 15,000 customers lost power.
In Sanford, strong winds ripped a roof off a building. Across Raleigh and Cary, trees fell on powerlines and blocked roads.
"We'll see more waves of rain and thunderstorms coming through all the way until the cold front passes us tonight, which may be 11 p.m.," Gardner said.
MORE ON THIS: WRAL Weather Alert Day forecast | Images of storm damage | Track rain with the DualDoppler5000 | What to do if you lose power | Duke Energy outage map
Storm damage in the Triangle
A massive tree could be seen in front of Broughton High School, and it's just one example of how Thursday's strong winds uprooted people's daily lives.
A broken portion has knocked out power to several hundred residents in a local neighborhood.
Dana Wright is the director of Loaves and Fishes, an after-school mentoring program. She says they have to cancel without power.
"The families depend on us to pick the kids up from school, and then the kids get here, and we work with them on homework and study for tests and quizzes, so it is definitely frustrating to have to cancel," Wright said.
Trees also took out power in Knightdale, including the stop lights at this intersection.
Weather damage in Lee County
Strong winds blew down trees and knocked out power for many Thursday in Lee County.
Jessica Torres says she saw the roof of a building blow off right in front of her eyes.
"It was like really windy. it was like raining a little bit. and out of nowhere," Torres said. "I just happened to look out the window and i could literally see the whole just flew up. it flew up and hit the road."
The wind also knocked over several trees in the Sanford area and crews spent the morning cleaning it up.
Four Lee County schools experienced power outages due to Thursday's strong winds, prompting early dismissal for students.
Fortunately, no one was reported injured.
Live updates: Fallen trees, downed power lines, closed roads
2 p.m.: U.S. Highway 15-501 between Carthage and Pinehurst remains closed in Moore County. Carthage Fire Chief Brian Tyner said the road could be closed until 4 p.m. while contractors repair lines and remove trees.
In Knightdale, all lanes of Smithfield Road were completely shut down until further notice between First and Main Streets due to a large tree and power lines down.
1:30 p.m.: Power outages have dropped slightly in North Carolina since 12:30 p.m. Lee County currently has the most power outages with an estimated 6,049 customers without power.
12:30 p.m.: A tree fell in Kay Letterman's yard at Whitman Road and Westwood Drive near Carolina Country Club in Raleigh.
"I heard this crash coming down, I assumed it was a trash can blowing down the driveway" she told WRAL News at the site. "I looked out window ... I came out the front door and said 'holy smokes.'"
12:15 p.m.: Currently there are more than 6,340 customers without power in Lee County, 3,167 customers without power in Wake County, more than 1,745 in Moore County and more than 1,000 without power in Johnston County, In North Carolina, more than 17,500 are without power.
11:45 a.m.: Lee Early College, Lee County High, Tramway and Greenwood will all release students at noon due to power outages. School transportation will be provided, and no damage was reported at the schools.
Another tree has fallen in Cary, this one on a hiking trail in west Cary at the Green Hope School trail between Edgemore and Briardale Street. A large tree fell at Broughton High School.
11:30 a.m.: WRAL News has photos of the roof that blew off a building in Sanford. A witness says she saw a roof blow off a building in Sanford near the intersection if E. Main Street and Dalrymple earlier this morning. She says she was waiting at a stoplight when it happened, and she was quick to get out of the area because she was afraid another roof would come off and potentially blow towards her vehicle.
11:15 a.m.: A house fire on Sheriff Place West in southeast Raleigh was accelerated by the strong winds, which caused the fire to spread. A dog died in the fire. The fire itself was not weather related, officials said.
11 a.m.: A tree has fallen in a neighborhood near Hudson Street and Reaves Drive in Raleigh. Reports say it fell into power lines.
10:45 a.m.: Fallen trees and power lines closes US 15-501 in both directions. Emergency responders across Moore County have been busy with storm damage calls, including downed trees and power lines. US Highway 15-501 in the area of Highway 73 and Doubs Chaple Road is closed to traffic in both directions after reports of numerous trees bringing down power lines.
10:40 a.m.: Lee County Schools report several large trees down along Hawkins Avenue and in the downtown area of Sanford. There are also reports of a roof blown off a building near the intersection of E. Main Street and Dalrymple Street in Sanford.
10:30 a.m.: Aside from the two fallen trees in Cary, calls have come in about a fallen tree on Gorman Street near Avent Ferry Road in Raleigh.
10:15 a.m.: Another viewer sent a photo of another fallen tree, also in Cary, with the comment, "This wind is insane! This was a healthy tree and it was snapped in two."
According to that viewer, no one was hurt and there was thankfully no damage to the surrounding homes. This tree fell near Kildaire Farm Road.
10 a.m.: A large tree fell in Cary near the intersection of Lake Pine and Cary Parkway. A WRAL News viewer sent a photo of the tree, which was blocking all lanes of the road.
Prepare for power outages
Prepare in advance in case of extended outages.
- Sign up for Outage Alerts from Duke Energy
- Fully charge cell phones and devices
- If you lose power, text OUT to 57801 or call 1.800.POWERON
- Always avoid downed power lines
- If you come across damaged equipment, maintain a safe distance and report it to Duke Energy or local emergency services.
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