Storms across Carolinas knock out power to thousands

The National Weather Service reported Sunday a number of severe storm cells, some producing nickel-sized hail.

In north Raleigh, a huge tree was uprooted by heavy winds. It crashed into the side of the house, smashing windows and ripping down part of the gutters.

The Keyser Family was home at the time. They said the sound of the tree hitting the house was frightening.

“I mean it was jarring. I went through the house looking in every room. Then I went into the bedroom and there was a tree coming in two of the windows,” homeowner Leigh Keyser said.

The family lives in the Old Creedmoor subdivision, just off Mandrake Court.

In Apex, a home was struck by lightening. Neighbors said the home on Woodbriar Street was hit by a bolt of lightening around 7:30 p.m.

In Halifax County, the storm split a tree in the Ridgecrest and Williams Farm Road community.

In eastern Orange County, a tree blocked Old N.C. 10 near Workman Road. There were also reports of damage to mobile homes in the area.

Progress Energy Carolinas reported some 6,000 people without power. Duke Energy reported about 2,500 people without power in the Carolinas.

Overnight, the storm activity is expected to quiet.

Rainfall amounts are expected to be less than a tenth of an inch, except where thunderstorms push those totals higher.

While the cold front might spark storms, don't expect it to bring back spring – Sunday's high will be around 88 degrees, and temperatures aren't forecast to drop below the mid-80s for the next week.

High pressure will settle in Monday, leading to a calmer, drier week.