North Carolina, 2008

Hail and Damaging Winds in North Carolina, July 22, 2008

July 22, 2008 · NWS GSP · 21 events in 12 counties and zones

Several severe storms affected western North Carolina during the afternoon and evening hours.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$50,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
21

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS GSP wrote it up.

Several severe storms affected western North Carolina during the afternoon and evening hours.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 22, 1:37 PM EST, 1 hour 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 22, 1:37 PM EST, 1 hour 8 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 22, 3:00 AM EST, 11 hours 45 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 22, 1:11 PM EST, 1 hour 34 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Local storm report, Jul 22, 1:47 PM EST, 58 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Local storm report, Jul 22, 2:03 PM EST, 42 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Special weather statement, Jul 22, 2:14 PM EST, 31 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Special weather statement, Jul 22, 2:33 PM EST, 12 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>
Special weather statement, Jul 22, 2:41 PM EST, 4 minutes before
<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

The radar

The Knoxville radar (KMRX), 82 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:43 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

16 thunderstorm wind, 4 hail, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Haywood

When
July 22, 2:45 PM EST
Where
Haywood County, 1.03 mi W of Clyde
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
35.529, -82.938

Trees were blown down on Paragon Parkway.

Thunderstorm Wind, Graham

When
July 22, 3:05 PM EST
Where
Graham County, 9 mi W of Robbinsville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
35.330, -83.980

A few trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Graham

When
July 22, 3:20 PM EST
Where
Graham County, 0.2 mi ESE of Bear Creek
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
35.269, -83.727

A few trees were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cabarrus

When
July 22, 4:45 PM EST
Where
Cabarrus County, Mt Pleasant
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
35.400, -80.450

Two trees were blown down.

Hail, Rowan

When
July 22, 4:58 PM EST
Where
Rowan County, 0.64 mi NE of Faith
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
35.587, -80.463

Hail, Davie

When
July 22, 5:00 PM EST
Where
Davie County, 1.27 mi N of Advance Strwbrry Arp
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
35.998, -80.431

Hail reported in the Bermuda Run community.

Thunderstorm Wind, Davie

When
July 22, 5:00 PM EST
Where
Davie County, Advance
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
35.950, -80.420

Trees were blown down in and around Advance.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cleveland

When
July 22, 5:20 PM EST
Where
Cleveland County, 0.41 mi ESE of Pottville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
35.418, -81.643

Several trees were blown down in and around Polkville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Graham

When
July 22, 5:25 PM EST to 5:55 PM EST
Where
Graham County, 7.57 mi SSW of Tapoco to 3.46 mi S of Stecoah
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
35.346, -83.992

Numerous trees were blown down across the county.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cleveland

When
July 22, 5:30 PM EST
Where
Cleveland County, 2 mi SSW of Beam Mill
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.352, -81.507

Large tree limbs were blown down along Fallston Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When
July 22, 6:25 PM EST to 6:40 PM EST
Where
Lincoln County, 10 mi WSW of Lincolnton to 0.41 mi NNE of Lincolnton
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.415, -81.434

Trees and power lines were blown down west of Lincolnton. A barn was damaged on Reepsville Rd when a tree fell on it. Other outbuildings received damage as well.

Thunderstorm Wind, Burke

When
July 22, 6:30 PM EST
Where
Burke County, 5 mi SSE of Morganton
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
35.683, -81.666

Trees were blown down on Old Highway 18.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mecklenburg

When
July 22, 6:30 PM EST
Where
Mecklenburg County, Huntersville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.420, -80.850

Several trees and power lines were blown down in and around Huntersville.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rowan

When
July 22, 6:55 PM EST
Where
Rowan County, 1.69 mi E of Enochville
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.530, -80.650

Trees were blown down.

Hail, Rowan

When
July 22, 6:55 PM EST
Where
Rowan County, 1.69 mi E of Enochville
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.530, -80.650

Thunderstorm Wind, Catawba

When
July 22, 7:00 PM EST
Where
Catawba County, 5 mi E of Maiden
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
35.580, -81.131

Power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Catawba

When
July 22, 7:15 PM EST
Where
Catawba County, 1.5 mi NNW of Terrell
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
35.600, -80.990

Several power lines were blown down near Terrell.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mecklenburg

When
July 22, 7:25 PM EST to 7:45 PM EST
Where
Mecklenburg County, 0.5 mi ENE of Pineville to 1.55 mi S of Thomasboro
Measured
55 kt (63 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
35.084, -80.892

Numerous trees blown down from Pineville, to southwest Charlotte, to the west side of the city. About a half dozen trees fell on homes in west and southwest Charlotte.

Lightning, Mecklenburg

When
July 22, 7:40 PM EST
Where
Mecklenburg County, 2 mi W of Charlotte
Property damage
$50,000
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
35.230, -80.885

Lightning ignited a fire at a home on Morton St, causing significant damage.

Hail, Rutherford

When
July 22, 8:03 PM EST
Where
Rutherford County, 2 mi SW of Forest City
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.309, -81.905

Thunderstorm Wind, Iredell

When
July 22, 8:20 PM EST
Where
Iredell County, Harmony
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Utility Company
Coordinates
35.950, -80.770

Trees down on power lines.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in North Carolina in 2008Every state in 2008This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, July 2008

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 128728, 128730, 128731, 128735, 128739, 128743, 128745, 128747, 128750, 128751, 128753, 128754, 128755, 128756, 128757, 128758, 128759, 128761, 128828, 128762, 128763.