GREENSBORO, N.C. — Halloween brought a night of frightful damage after storms moved through the Piedmont Triad.
The fierce storms prompted Tornado Warnings at one point for Guilford, Rockingham, Caswell and Montgomery Counties.
8:45 P.M. - Tree collapses over a patio and part of a house in Greensboro.
8:11 P.M. - A couple came home to find a huge tree across their home in an area off Lake Jeanette Road in Greensboro. It fell during the tornado warning for Guilford County.
8:00 P.M. - Becky McCloskey says she was waiting for trick or treaters when she heard a crash, and came out to a mess in her back yard
7:46 P.M. - A huge tree fell crushing a brand new jeep. The owner said he's just glad the tree fell on the jeep instead of the house where his kids were.
7:43 P.M. - Here's another view of the tree that fell across the van on Lake Brandt Road in Greensboro.
7:35 P.M. - A tree fell across a vehicle on Lake Brandt Road near Century Road in Greensboro.
7:29 P.M. - All Tornado Warnings In Triad Expire.
7:28 P.M. - Tree smashes car on Hicone Road.
7:25 P.M. - Reports of a downed tree closing Durham Street.
7:24 P.M. - Update from I-40 W bus crash. No injuries reported.
7:16 P.M. - Montgomery County Tornado Warning Ends
7:16 P.M. - Official Power Outage Numbers for Guilford, Forsyth and Davidson County:
Guilford - 1,644
Forsyth - 457
Davidson - 958
7:15 P.M. - Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Caswell County.
7:14 P.M. - Severe Thunderstorm Warning Continues for Montgomery and Rockingham Counties.
7:12 P.M. - Tornado Warning for Rockingham County Ends.
7:09 P.M. - Power Outages Update:
7:07 P.M. - Thunderstorms approach Candor and Pinehurst area.
7:00 P.M. - Downed tree on Westridge Road in Greensboro. This is right between Battleground Avenue and Joseph Bryan Boulevard.
6:58 P.M. - Radar images of lightning show 200+ strikes.
6:58 P.M. - Video of Halloween goers in the storm near Guilford College.
6:57 P.M. - Heavy rain still falling in Greensboro.
6:57 P.M. - Update from Westridge Road in Greensboro.
6:55 P.M. - Tornado Warning Extended Further into Caswell County.
6:55 P.M. - Huge tree falls in Whitsett, N.C. No injuries reported.
6:54 P.M. - Thunderstorm heads east towards Burlington and Elon.
6:54 P.M. - Power returns to areas of Forsyth County near WFMY News 2 reporter Alma McCarty.
6:53 P.M. - Tornado Warning Issued for Caswell County.
6:51 P.M. - Rain in Winston-Salem stops.
6:51 P.M. - Guilford County Tornado Warning Expires.
6:49 P.M. - New Tornado Warning Issued for southern portions of Montgomery County and SE Stanly County until 7:15 P.M.
6:49 P.M. - More reports of power outages in Forsyth County.
6:49 P.M. - Video of thunderstorm above WFMY News 2.
6:49 P.M. - Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Alamance County extended to 8:00 P.M.
6:48 P.M. - Traffic partially blocked on Westridge Road in Guilford County by fallen tree.
6:46 P.M. - Threat of Tornado increases in SE Rockingham County.
6:45 P.M. - Official Tornado Warning Issued for Montgomery County.
6:41 P.M. - Update from Brian Hall, covering state playoff volleyball game between NW Guilford and Grimsley:
6:40 P.M. - Tornado Warning For Rockingham and Caswell Counties Extended to 7:30 P.M.
6:39 P.M. - Tornado Warning Issued for Rockingham County.
6:38 P.M. - Tornado Warning Issued for Caswell County.
6:37 P.M. - Tornado Safety Tips:
6:33 P.M. - Tornado Warning Saftey Guide:
6:30 P.M. - Thunderstorm making its way across Northwest Guilford County.
6:30 P.M. - Tornado Warning set until 7:00 P.M.
6:29 P.M. - Tornado Watch updated to Tornado Warning in Guilford County.
6:28 P.M. - Meanwhile, Winston-Salem still experiencing rain, but thunderstorm there has died down.
6:27 P.M. - Update from NW Guilford HS/Grimsley state playoff volleyball match.
6:26 P.M. - The moment the thunderstorm begins to pour in Guilford County.
6:26 P.M. - Moments later the skies open up in Greensboro.
6:25 P.M. - View of the thunderstorm as it approaches Greensboro.
6:23 P.M. - Forsyth County/Davidson County Power Outages Update:
6:21 P.M. - The severity of the storm has lightened in Winston-Salem, says Kyle Connolly.
6:21 P.M. - First signs of rain in Greensboro, N.C.
6:16 P.M. - Official Thunderstorm Warning issued for Alamance County.
6:14 P.M. - Power outages reported in Davidson County.
6:14 P.M. - Rockingham County joins the official list of areas under T-storm warnings.
6:05 P.M. - Video of storm in Winston-Salem, courtesy Alma McCarty.
6:04 P.M. - Reports of downed trees surfacing from Davie County.
6:04 P.M. - Wind gusts of 60+ miles/hour expected this evening. The storm is on the brink of Guilford County.
6:03 - Thunderstorm in Winston-Salem is intensifying at 6:00 P.M.
5:50 P.M. - Stanly County joins the Severe Thunderstorm Warning list.
5:55 P.M. - Montgomery County added to the list of areas under Severe Thunderstorm Warnings tonight.
5:49 P.M. - Tonight's storm ETA's for High Point, Greensboro and Burlington.
5:49 P.M. - Official Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued in Patrick County.
5:49 P.M. - Storm spotted inching closer to Greensboro from the west.
5:39 P.M. - Updated Severe Thunderstorm Warnings: Davidson, Guilford and Randolph Counties.
5:34 P.M. - Forsyth County gets in the mix. Official Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued.
5:35 P.M. - Official Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Davie County.
5:10 P.M. - There is a difference in severity for a Tornado Watch and Tornado Warning. The Triad is currently under a Tornado Watch.
5:09 P.M. - Ominous clouds spotted near Northwest Guilford High School.
5:00 P.M. - Official Severe Thunderstorm Warning in effect until 6:00 P.M. in Galax, as well as Alleghany, Grayson, Surry and Wilkes Counties.
4:56 P.M. - Winds picking up over eastbound I-40.
4:55 P.M. - Official Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Alleghany County.
4:55 P.M. - Official Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Wilkes County.
4:54 P.M. - Official Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Surry County.
4:50 P.M. - Storm Timeline Update: Severe weather still expected to touch the Triad by 7:00 P.M.
4:44 P.M. - Charlotte meteorologist Brad Panovich warns of winds capable of knocking over trees are headed towards the Triad this evening.
4:38 P.M. - Winds speeds in the Triad reached 30+ miles/hour today, per WFMY News 2 meteorologist Christian Morgan.
4:24 P.M. - Break in the clouds a sign of worse weather to come.
4:07 P.M. - Winds starting to pick up in Greensboro
4:00 P.M. - Weather Update with Tim Buckley on latest Tornado Watch information.
3:49 P.M. - A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Wilkes and Allegheny County until 5pm.
3:47 P.M. – A Tornado WATCH has been issued for our entire area until 11pm. (Most of the storms should be out of here by 9/10pm) This means that tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are possible -- but not yet happening. Have a plan, and stay weather alert.
3:35 P.M. - In the case of a tornado warning, here are some tips for staying safe depending on where you are when the storm hits.
Home/Stand-Alone Building:
- Get to the lowest level possible
- Go to an area with as many walls between you as possible
- Get in a bathtub or interior closet
Mobile Home:
- Get out of the mobile home and get in a sturdy building if possible
- Get out of the mobile home and hunker in a ditch
- If no ditch or building is nearby, plan ahead and get to a sturdy building ahead of time.
Apartment:
- Get to the lowest level (go to a neighbor's apartment on the first floor)
- Regardless of what floor you're on, get in a bathtub or interior closet
- If you are on a higher level and can't get to a lower apartment, hunker down in the breezeway of the apartment building
3:15 P.M. - Make sure you're ready for a power outage. Remember to do the following:
DURING A POWER OUTAGE
- Only use flashlights for emergency lighting, candles can cause fires.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. For more information about food safety visit our food page.
- Take steps to remain cool if it is hot outside. In intense heat when the power may be off for a long time, consider going to a movie theater, shopping mall or “cooling shelter” that may be open in your community. If you remain at home, move to the lowest level of your home, since cool air falls. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
- Put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm.
- Turn off or disconnect appliances and other equipment in case of a momentary power “surge” that can damage computers and other devices. Consider adding surge protectors.
- If you are considering purchasing a generator for your home, consult an electrician or engineer before purchasing and installing.
- Only use generators away from your home and NEVER run a generator inside a home or garage, or connect it to your home's electrical system.
2:30 P.M. - Storms are moving toward the Piedmont Triad. The timeframe for this line of storms will be from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
2:00 P.M. - Keep these numbers nearby in case you need to report a power outage!
REPORTING POWER OUTAGES
- Duke Energy: 1-800-POWERON, 1-800-769-3766 Customers may also report an outage or view current outages online
- Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356
- NC Electrical Cooperatives: 1-888-411-7870
- Energy United: 1-800-386-4833
- Randolph Electric: 1-877-736-2633
- Piedmont Electric: 1-800-449-2667
- Surry-Yadkin Electric: 336-356-8241
- City of Lexington Electric: 336-248-2337
- City of High Point Electric: 336-883-3111
OTHER WEATHER SAFETY STORIES