Storms bring rain, hail along I-95

Dime-sized hail was reported from storm cells in Warrenton and Roanoke Rapids, WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said.

High winds blew through a carnival in the parking lot at Becker Village Mall, 1620 E. Tenth St. in Roanoke Rapids, knocking over rides and stalls and damaging cars, according to Halifax County dispatchers. The carnival was supposed to be open on Thursday night but closed due to lightning. It is expected to reopen at 5 p.m. on Friday.

Emergency personnel responded to reports of downed power lines and trees across Roanoke Rapids.

Dominion Power, which serves customers in northern North Carolina and throughout Virginia, reported 3,000 customers without power in the Roanoke Rapids area.

Large limbs were blocking part of Jefferson Street, authorities said. No injuries had been reported related to the storm damage.

In Northampton County, authorities were responding to a report that a roof had blown off a house in Gaston and that lightning had struck a home in Jackson.

Skies were generally clear across North Carolina after a hot a humid day when temperatures reached into the 90s. Another muggy evening was on tap, Fishel said.

Friday's forecast contains much of the same – sun, humidity and an increased probability of some thunderstorms in the afternoon.