ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Strong thunderstorms were moving across parts of Western North Carolina Friday afternoon, bringing gusty winds, hail and frequent lightning.
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg issued special weather statements for parts of Transylvania, Henderson and Yancey counties as storms moved through the region.
A storm near Burnsville in central Yancey County was moving southeast at 15 mph around 12:27 p.m. Friday. The storm was capable of producing wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel-size hail, according to the weather service.
The storm was affecting Burnsville, Mount Mitchell State Park, Celo and Micaville.
Another strong storm was moving northeast through northeastern Transylvania and northwestern Henderson counties. At 12:49 p.m., radar showed the storm about 9 miles north of Brevard, or 5 miles northwest of Etowah, moving northeast at 10 mph.
That storm could produce wind gusts up to 40 mph and half-inch hail. The weather service said it was affecting Etowah, Mount Pisgah, Mills River, Forge Mountain, North Transylvania, Horse Shoe, Penrose and a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Mount Pisgah and the N.C. Arboretum.
The weather service also warned that a strengthening storm was moving from the southwest toward northern Henderson and southern Buncombe counties.
Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning was reported with the storms. The weather service warned that lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from a thunderstorm.
People outdoors should move inside a building or vehicle when storms approach.
Residents should continue monitoring weather updates in case the storms strengthen and prompt additional warnings.