Hail and Damaging Winds in North Carolina, May 13, 2000

Thunderstorms developed in the mountains in the early afternoon with several becoming severe a few hours later. Other severe thunderstorms moved into or developed in the foothills and piedmont during the early evening. Hail up to the size of walnuts and some wind damage occurred in the mountains and foothills. Several trees were blown down near Fairview. In Cleveland county, 1.5 foot diameter trees were blown down in Belwood, and a number of structures were damaged in Polkville. Just west of Lincolnton several trees and power lines were downed, some on mobile homes. Lightning from the storm in Lincolnton knocked out power to the 911 center. Numerous trees and power lines were downed and a couple of storage buildings were blown over northeast of Gastonia. In Dallas, a trailer park sustained damage to a storage building, 3 young Bradford pear trees, underpinning, a power meter, and heavy doghouse. Mecklenburg county police reported 7 to 10 trees downed north of Charlotte. Considerable damage occurred in Cabarrus county with numerous trees blown down through the northern and central parts of Concord. Winds were estimated as high as 70 mph in western Cabarrus county due to a significant amount of downed trees, with many on houses and some blocking roads. Crews had to work most of the night to clear trees and restore power. A deputy said he observed a tornado touch down, lift, and touch down again before ending as a waterspout over Coddle Creek Reservoir. However, there was not enough evidence to confirm the event as a tornado.