Flash Flood and Hail in North Carolina, July 20 to 21, 1998

An isolated severe thunderstorm in Waynesville downed numerous limbs and power lines. One thousand people power lost power as well. A cluster of thunderstorms moved from northern Cleveland county, east-southeast and became severe in the eastern portions, downing numerous trees. This cluster of severe thunderstorms moved across Gaston county, continuing to down trees and some power lines and leaving 6500 people without power for a while. The storms then moved into southern Mecklenburg county, blowing down 6 trees on the southwest side of Charlotte. Intense cloud to ground lightning from these storms that became nearly stationary struck 15 dwellings ranging from apartments to condominiums to houses in the Charlotte area. Damage was estimated near 1 million dollars as many homes were destroyed. Flash flooding occurred in South Charlotte late in the evening and continued into the early morning hours. One injured woman had to be rescued from her auto on South Blvd by a firefighter.Another cluster of severe thunderstorms developed west into Cabarrus county, producing numerous microbursts that downed trees and power lines as they moved slowly south over the course of an hour and fifteen minutes. Especially hard hit was the area from Concord into the southern and eastern portions of the county. The storms eventually moved into Union county and produced dime size hail west of Monroe. Lightning strikes also caused several house fires in Iredell, Cabarrus and Union counties until late in the evening. One house in Union county was a total loss.