SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MOVING THROUGH LINCOLN

By Jon Mayhew
Publisher

WEST LINCOLN -- Authorities have their hands full with a thunderstorm that made its way through western Lincoln County around 7:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Firefighters were reporting penny-sized hail, high winds and power lines down in multiple locations. Those locations included Shoal Road/Highway 182 and Leonards Fork Church Road.

Howards Creek firefighters were also placed on standby at the station to watch the skies. Reports coming in from the field indicated conditions were "nasty" in west Lincoln.


Thunder, heavy rains and wind could also be felt in the central part of Lincoln County as well. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Gaston and Lincoln Counties until 8 p.m. and a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m.

Transformers also set outside fires in the Boger City and Lincolnton fire districts.


At the height of the storm Tuesday night, more than 8,000 Duke -Energy Customers in Lincoln and Mecklenurg Counties were without power according to Duke-Energy. Systemwide more than 24,000 customers were without power.

Authorities are saying a tornado may have touched down in the Pumpkin Center area Tuesday night.

A Pumpkin Center fire truck was involved in a t-bone colission. The truck sustained heavy damage according to authorities at the scene and happened around 7:40 p.m

Around 8:40 P.M. authorities are also respomding to a tree down at a residence on English Oaks Rd. and and a possible structure fire in Alexis near the Lincoln/Gaston County line