UPDATE 2/6/2020 11:25am:
A tornado warning has just been issued for Mecklenburg and surrounding Counties;
Tornado Warning including Charlotte NC, Concord NC, Mount Holly NC until 12:00 PM EST pic.twitter.com/ha4vVOuqqr
— NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) February 6, 2020
UPDATE 2/6/2020 11:00am:
The new tornado warning has been issued for most of Gaston County and a tornado has been confirmed just sound of I-85 in Gastonia:
Tornado Warning continues for Gastonia NC, Kings Mountain NC, Bessemer City NC until 11:45 AM EST pic.twitter.com/NsgEcEtrL8
— NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) February 6, 2020
Original Article 2/6/2020 10:10am:
A widespread spring-like storm system is now sweeping across the Carolinas, creating massive thunderstorms, flash flooding, and tornadoes.
Widespread rainfall totals of 3″+ are possible for most of the western half of North Carolina, including the Charlotte region, with over 5″ possible in the mountains.
The National Weather Service issued the following warning this morning at 10:08am:
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Southeastern Catawba County in the Piedmont of North Carolina...
Lincoln County in the Piedmont of North Carolina...
* Until 1100 AM EST.
* At 1008 AM EST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a
tornado was located 6 miles northwest of Lincolnton, moving east at
40 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Lincolnton, Maiden, Boger City and Iron Station around 1020 AM
EST.
Denver around 1030 AM EST.
Lake Norman and Westport around 1040 AM EST.
Lake Norman State Park around 1050 AM EST.
Other locations impacted by this dangerous thunderstorm include
Crouse, Sherrills Ford, Vale, Terrell and Bandys.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.
The National Weather Service also issued a broader tornado watch for more of the Charlotte region until 5pm this evening:
TORNADO WATCH 27 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM EST FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS NCC001-007-025-035-037-045-057-059-067-071-081-097-105-109-119- 123-125-135-149-151-153-159-161-167-179-062200- /O.NEW.KWNS.TO.A.0027.200206T1510Z-200206T2200Z/ NC . NORTH CAROLINA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ALAMANCE ANSON CABARRUS CATAWBA CHATHAM CLEVELAND DAVIDSON DAVIE FORSYTH GASTON GUILFORD IREDELL LEE LINCOLN MECKLENBURG MONTGOMERY MOORE ORANGE POLK RANDOLPH RICHMOND ROWAN RUTHERFORD STANLY UNION
Severe wind, hail, and tornadoes all have the potential to knock out power for entire neighborhoods.
Duke Energy recommends having the following items handy in case of a power outage;
- Cash (ATMs may not work)
- Car charger for cell phones and other devices
- Clean drinking water (recommended 1 gallon per person per day, minimum three days)
- Flashlights
- Batteries: Extra batteries for all of your devices
- Weather radio/clock
- Non-perishable food
- First aid kit