As of 9 a.m. Saturday, Progress Energy reported 645 customers without power in Wake County, with over 100 of those in North Raleigh. Power is expected to be restored around noon. Also, over 100 customers are without power in Nash County, with no word yet on when lines will be fixed there.
A power station was knocked out in the Clayton area late Friday evening, leaving 6,700 customers without power temporarily.
Four cars were stuck on downed power lines for more than two hours in North Raleigh late Friday evening. The lines were knocked down during the storm, and because
Forestville Road
isn't well lit, the lead car didn't see the danger until it was too late. After calling 911, power crews were able to de-activate the lines and free the cars.
Duke Energy said at 9:15 p.m. Friday that about 3,500 customers were without power in Mecklenburg County and some 2,100 were in the dark in the Durham area.
Duke spokeswoman Paige Sheehan said crews were working during the night to restore electrical service and all circuits were expected to be repaired by Saturday morning.
The National Weather Service says that wind gusts clocked at over 70 mph caused roof damage to homes in Nash County. Numerous trees are reported down in southern Granville, Vance, Wake and Orange counties. Golf ball-sized hail has also been reported in the Clayton area.
Dime-size hail, lightning and winds exceeding 50 mph were reported in several areas with this system.
The National Weather Service says a low-pressure system approached the area from the northwest late Friday afternoon, making the atmosphere increasingly unstable as temperatures approached the 90-degree mark.
According to WRAL meteorologist Greg Fishel, the storms will give way to a beautiful but warm Memorial Day weekend, with highs expected to reach the low-90s.
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