Severe Thunderstorms Strike North Carolina, Georgia This Week
Severe thunderstorms brought 60 mph winds and hail to North Carolina and Georgia communities this week, with Interstate 95 among affected areas.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Severe thunderstorms brought dangerous winds and hail to multiple areas across North Carolina and Georgia this week, prompting warnings from the National Weather Service and affecting major transportation corridors.
The most recent severe weather event occurred Tuesday evening in central North Carolina, where the National Weather Service in Raleigh issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 6:08 PM EDT for northeastern Warren County and northwestern Halifax County until 6:45 PM EDT.
At 6:07 PM EDT, radar detected a severe thunderstorm near Littleton, located eight miles east of Warrenton, moving southeast at 30 mph. The storm produced 60 mph wind gusts and penny-size hail, according to the National Weather Service.
Interstate 95 in Warning Zone
The severe weather impacted several communities including Roanoke Rapids, Halifax, Littleton, Weldon, Macon, South Weldon, Airlie, and Lake Gaston. Interstate 95 between Mile Markers 173 and 160 fell within the warning area, potentially affecting motorists during the evening commute.
Officials warned residents to expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees from the strong winds. The radar-indicated storm posed immediate threats to property and infrastructure in the affected counties.
Georgia Communities Also Hit
Earlier this week, Georgia faced its own severe weather challenges. On Friday, May 24, the National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued warnings for multiple counties in west central Georgia at 5:41 PM EDT until 6:15 PM EDT.
Severe thunderstorms formed along a line extending from near Preston to near La Crosse to Maddox, moving northeast at 30 mph with 60 mph wind gusts. The storms impacted southwestern Macon County, southeastern Marion County, central Webster County, Schley County, and Sumter County.
Communities affected included Americus, Ellaville, Oglethorpe, Preston, Plains, Ideal, Andersonville, Sumter, Putnam, Murrays Crossroads, New Era, La Crosse, Huntington, Pennington, Friendship, Clearview, Doyle, Methvins, Bumphead, and Walls Crossing.
Additional Georgia Storm Activity
On Wednesday, May 22, the Macon area experienced two separate severe thunderstorm events. The first warning was issued at 5:31 PM EDT for Bibb County and south central Jones County, where a severe thunderstorm moved over Macon heading north at 20 mph.
This storm produced 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, affecting Macon, Payne, Payne City, Cross Keys, Wesleyan, Postell, Arkwright, Skipperton, and Rutland. A second warning followed at 5:52 PM EDT for an area near Skipperton, nine miles southwest of Macon.
Weather officials advised residents in all affected areas to take precautions against hail damage to vehicles and potential wind damage to structures. The series of storms highlights the active weather pattern affecting the southeastern United States during late May.
