Hail and Damaging Winds in North Carolina, June 16, 1998

Thunderstorms developed in east Tennessee and moved east across the mountains of North Carolina during the early and middle afternoon. One storm evolved into a strong supercell as it moved across northern McDowell county and into Caldwell county. Numerous trees and power lines were downed from Highway 221 North to the eastern side of Caldwell county. Hail up to 2 inches in diameter combined with the severe winds to damage roofs and break windows in the Collettsville, Kings Creek and Oak Hill areas. There were also numerous reports of a funnel cloud. As this particular supercell moved east into Alexander county it produced dime to golf ball size hail and blew some shingles off a church in Ellendale. Large hail continued across northern Catawba county and a spotter measured 60 mph winds northeast of Mocksville, in Davie county. Other thunderstorms developed behind the initial super cell and tracked in a similar path later in the afternoon and early evening. One storm became severe and produced large hail and some downed power lines in the northern part of Caldwell county. About 500 people were without power near Kiser Island.