ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for southeastern Buncombe County, including parts of the Asheville area, as a storm capable of producing damaging winds and hail moves across the region.
The warning is in effect until 3:15 p.m. Sunday for southeastern Buncombe, northeastern Henderson, southwestern McDowell, northwestern Rutherford and northwestern Polk counties.
At 2:34 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a severe thunderstorm about 9 miles southeast of downtown Asheville, near Fairview, moving east at 20 mph.
Forecasters said the storm could produce wind gusts up to 60 mph and nickel-sized hail (0.88 inches).
Communities that could be impacted include Arden, Fairview, Biltmore Forest, Skyland, the Blue Ridge Parkway from the N.C. Arboretum to East Asheville, Edneyville, Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Village, Chimney Rock State Park and Bat Cave.
The National Weather Service said the storm could damage trees and power lines.
Residents are urged to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building until the storm passes. Motorists should be alert for downed tree limbs, localized power outages and rapidly changing weather conditions.