ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

Severe storms rocked parts of Western North Carolina on Wednesday afternoon, dumping rain and hail, downing trees leaving some without electric power in some areas.

Storm watches for parts of the region were issued about 10 a.m. By early afternoon, those became warnings as strong storms began moving through the area.

The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch shortly after 2:30 p.m. for Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell and Rutherford counties. The watch, which is in effect until 8:30 p.m., came after 1-2 inches of rain had fallen in the area, according to the National Weather Service. Another 1-2 inches was expected.

Thunderstorms made driving conditions difficult on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, including on Patton Avenue in Asheville.
Sudden thunderstorms on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, toppled a massive tree that grazed a house in the Starnes Cove area.
Sudden thunderstorms on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, toppled a massive tree outside a house in the Starnes Cove area.
Duke Energy crews were kept busy on May 8, 2024, after storms caused power outages throughout the region.
Before the skies cleared, storms left a jumble of utility lines in the Candler Knob area of West Asheville on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Hail was reported in some areas, including Arden, where it came with lightning and loud thunder.

Nuisance to minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area, the National Weather Service said.

The area of greatest concern is in the Hickory Nut Gorge from Gerton to Edneyville to Chimney Rock to Lake Lure, weather officials said. People near streams, including the Rocky Broad River, should seek higher ground in case rapid rises overwhelm adjacent low-lying areas.

Some locations that may experience flooding include Fairview, Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Village, Chimney Rock State Park, Bat Cave, Shingle Hollow, Green Hill, Sugar Hill, Thermal City, Union Mills, Fero, Glenwood, Gerton, Edneyville, Dysartsville and Sunshine

Caution is advised near any stream or other vulnerable area. Seek higher ground immediately if streams start to rise.

The storms are expected to continue overnight.

According to the Duke Energy Power Outage Map, more than 37,793 North Carolina customers were without electricity at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Local outages include:

Buncombe – 1,796

Henderson – 574

Jackson – 222

Macon – 173

Rutherford – 838

Swain – 201