Storm Leaves Downed Trees, Damage

RALEIGH, N.C. — The strong storms that swept across the Triangle Tuesday night cleared out for a beautiful day, but left some downed trees behind.

Power outages from the storm were restored throughout the morning. Progress Energy reported just over 500 customers still without power statewide by noon. Duke Energy reported about 2,000 customers effected, most of those were in Forsyth and Rockingham counties.

Golf-ball sized hail, rain and lightning were reported throughout the viewing area overnight. Some places saw as much as 2 inches of rain, according to WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.

There were widespread reports of downed trees throughout the Triangle and surrounding counties. Some struck houses as they came down, but authorities reported no injuries.

A tree struck a house on Vickie Drive in Cary, and another hit a house on West Stallings Street in Clayton. On McCrimmon Parkway in Cary, lightning popped the top of a townhome, igniting flames. No one was injured, and the damage was mostly contained to the attic.

Winds were reportedly near 60 mph when the strongest storm cells went through overnight.

The storms brought drenching rains to many locations, including RDU International Airport, which was good news for the state's drought.The weather caused five to 10 flight delays at the airport, officials said, but operations were expected to catch up after the storms abated.