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Reports: Thousands without power as severe thunderstorms slam Southeast US

By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather staff writer

Published Apr 15, 2018 9:01 PM EDT | Updated Jul 10, 2019 1:52 PM EDT

Copied

As of 2:00 a.m. EDT Monday, this story is no longer being updated.

<hr>

The storm that brought destructive thunderstorms to the south-central United States on Friday and the Deep South on Saturday targeted the Southeast on Sunday and will continue to will take aim at the Carolinas and Virginia through Sunday night.

One thunderstorm produced a 74-mph wind gust at Columbia Metro Airport in South Carolina.

A storm survey from the National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina, confirmed a tornado touchdown from Lexington to Irmo.

Another storm and a possible tornado caused extensive damage on the east side of Greensboro, North Carolina, and was responsible for one confirmed death.

Cities still at risk for the disruptive weather conditions into early Monday morning include Richmond, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Rocky Mount, Greenville and Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

RELATED:

Severe storms to rattle Southeast, southern mid-Atlantic into Sunday night
Photos: Severe weather outbreak damages dozens of homes across central US

<hr>

1:40 a.m. EDT Monday:

The threat for damaging wind gusts and tornadoes in eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia has diminished significantly, and all tornado watches that had previously been in effect have been cancelled.

However, thunderstorms will still pose a flood threat as they move northward into eastern Pennsylvania through Monday morning, with rainfall rates in excess of an inch per hour in the heaviest downpours.

All Tornado watches have been cancelled as of 1:40 AM. Gusty showers will continue overnight, clearing later this morning from west to east. We are looking for storm reports from this evening. Please share reports of wind gusts >40 mph, hail, or downed trees/power lines. #VAwx

— NWS Wakefield (@NWSWakefieldVA) April 16, 2018

<hr>

12:35 a.m. EDT Monday:

Six people have been hospitalized in Elon, Virginia, following violent thunderstorms that destroyed dozens of homes on Sunday evening.

20-25 homes wiped out or severely damaged in Elon, 6 taken to hospital after tornadohttps://t.co/Ux2meLmkH6 pic.twitter.com/B3vMjpyOIC

— ABC 13 News - WSET (@ABC13News) April 16, 2018

<hr>

11:50 p.m. EDT Sunday:

A state of emergency has been declared in Lynchburg, Virginia, after a reported tornado swept through the region around 7:30 p.m. EDT Sunday.

The City of Lynchburg has declared a state of emergency until further notice.

Remember if you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and don't touch it. https://t.co/OTgVzAZujq pic.twitter.com/N4eyR6DIST

— ABC 13 News - WSET (@ABC13News) April 16, 2018

<hr>

11:33 p.m. EDT Sunday:

The storm system responsible for spawning a third straight day of severe weather in the southern United States caused at least nine confirmed tornadoes in Arkansas spanning Apr. 13 and 14.

In coordination with @NWStulsa, @NWSShreveport, and @NWSJacksonMS, we have updated the total number of confirmed tornadoes in Arkansas to nine for April 13-14. Additional surveys are planned across parts of the state, so the total number of confirmed tornadoes may change. #arwx pic.twitter.com/xuCgimySDp

— NWS Little Rock (@NWSLittleRock) April 16, 2018

<hr>

11:20 p.m. EDT Sunday:

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Goochland and Powhatan, Virginia, until 11:45 p.m. EDT Sunday. The primary threat from these storms will be damaging wind gusts and small hail as they slowly move eastward toward Richmond.

Another line of storms is threatening to bring violent wind gusts and penny-sized hail to Rocky Mount and Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, through 12:15 a.m. EDT Monday.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Goochland VA, Powhatan VA until 11:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/3pzGo3FWKB

— NWS Wakefield (@NWSWakefieldVA) April 16, 2018

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Rocky Mount NC, Roanoke Rapids NC, Nashville NC until 12:15 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/oRqukQj7fM

— NWS Raleigh (@NWSRaleigh) April 16, 2018

<hr>

9:00 p.m. EDT Sunday:

There are many reports of damage and one confirmed death from a possible tornado that touched down near Gate City Blvd and Hwy 29 and the Florida Street area in Greensboro, N.C.

Incredible damage from a large tornado Sunday afternoon on the east side of Greensboro, NC. More photos here:https://t.co/ykh58OUXrh pic.twitter.com/3U4hDlpHcd

— Ed Piotrowski (@EdPiotrowski) April 16, 2018

<hr>

8:50 p.m. EDT Sunday:

Extreme damage reported in Lynchburg, Va. after severe weather tore through the area around 7:30 p.m. EDT.

Horrible to see. #Tornado damage in Lynchburg, VA. Photo comes from Leecy Fink. They are all safe! @ReedTimmerAccu pic.twitter.com/goIIB2npU2

— Alan Auglis (@alanauglis) April 16, 2018

<hr>

8:15 p.m. EDT Sunday:

Approximately 138,000 customers are without power in the Carolinas and Virginia.

Five injured people were taken to the hospital after after a tree fell on a house in Reidsville, N.C. The injuries are non-life threatening. There are many reports of damage in Reidsville, N.C. such as downed trees and damaged houses.

<hr>

7:54 p.m. EDT Sunday:

A possible tornado caused significant damage in Lynchburg, Va. The picture below shows a Med Express on Timberlake Rd. in Lynchburg, Va.

A tornado just touched down in Lynchburg! This is the Med Express on Timberlake Rd. pic.twitter.com/31BqDXfETY

— Whitney Burney (@WhitneyOnAir) April 15, 2018

<hr>

7:10 p.m. EDT Sunday:

There is a Tornado Warning for Lynchburg Va., Timberlake Va., Madison Heights Va. until 7:45 p.m. EDT.

Screen Shot 2018-04-15 at 7.13.14 PM.png

<hr>

6:45 p.m. EDT Sunday:

ElectriCities said major outages in Huntersville, N.C. are currently being restored with lots of work to do along HWY 115.

Strong winds today toppled trees and took out power lines. Restoration is underway. Please be patient, we appreciate your understanding. pic.twitter.com/fOkT8EHobj

— ElectriCities HVL (@Huntersville_EC) April 15, 2018

<hr>

5:15 p.m. EDT Sunday:

A National Weather Service (NWS) spotter reported a tornado on the ground at Gate City Blvd. and US 29, Greensboro, N.C.

The report adds that numerous trees and power lines are down along with debris near I-40 and US 421. There is significant damage to at least one home and more trees down at Queens Beth Drive in Greensboro, N.C. Downed power lines and damaged homes were reported at Nealtown Road and October Lane, Greensboro, N.C.

BREAKING | First video of tornado touching down in Greensboro.
Video credit: Addison Highfill #Tornado #tornadowarning @Jenna_Barnes @greensborocity @readyguilford @gmetro911 @GSO_Police pic.twitter.com/Z5AZDsXx09

— WFMY News 2 (@WFMY) April 15, 2018

Cone Blvd has shutdown near Summit Avenue after a tree fell on top of a car....@WFMY @TimBuckleyWX pic.twitter.com/DqOUuxscxT

— Brian Hall (@bhallwfmy) April 15, 2018

<hr>

5:10 p.m. EDT Sunday:

There is a Tornado Warning for Greensboro N.C., McLeansville N.C., Sedalia N.C. until 5:30 PM EDT until 5:30 p.m. EDT.

Tornado Warning including Greensboro NC, McLeansville NC, Sedalia NC until 5:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/T4hyDHBLXr

— NWS Raleigh (@NWSRaleigh) April 15, 2018

<hr>

4:20 p.m. EDT Sunday:

Downed trees have been reported in Huntersville, N.C., as well as power outages.

*Beatties Ford / Brown Mill Rd Update* We cannot confirm what occurred, but it involved heavy winds, taking down multiple trees & a couple barns. No injuries. pic.twitter.com/3x6Ha7yLWr

— Huntersville Fire (@Huntersville_FD) April 15, 2018

@wxbrad Trees down next to my house in Huntersville. pic.twitter.com/dK0PGLK5aI

— Thumpnbunnie (@Thumpnbunnie) April 15, 2018

<hr>

3:30 p.m. EDT Sunday:

There are reports of trees down and the power outages near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport in in Lexington County, South Carolina.

Intersection of Harmon Street and American Legion Rd in Lexington is blocked off due to down trees #SCWX @abc_columbia pic.twitter.com/MqBEkrDiGA

— Alexis Frazier (@AlexisFrazierTV) April 15, 2018

<hr>

2:45 p.m. EDT Sunday:

A line of severe thunderstorms is approaching Charlotte, N.C. A Tornado warning for portions of Charlotte, N.C., and surrounding areas.

In case of a tornado, never seek shelter under a bridge or overpass, as both debris and winds can get channeled beneath these structures.

Screen Shot 2018-04-15 at 3.15.19 PM.png

<hr>

2:30 p.m. EDT Sunday:

Thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado is tracking toward St. Petersburg, Fla.

Screen Shot 2018-04-15 at 2.58.54 PM.png

Motorists traveling on Interstate 95 between Richmond and Miami will want to exercise caution in blinding downpours and high winds, since the risk for hydroplaning increases under these conditions.

<hr>

1:30 p.m. EDT Sunday:

A thunderstorm produced a 74-mph wind gust at Columbia Metro Airport in South Carolina.

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