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Strong storms bring down trees and power lines

There have been multiple reports of downed trees, even knocking out power for several, throughout the Carolinas as a result of severe weather.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Strong storms moved through Mecklenburg and surrounding counties Sunday causing widespread damage.

By 1 a.m. the worst of the weather was through the NBC Charlotte viewing area.

Meteorologist Chris Mulcahy said the storms mainly brought heavy downpours. There have been reports of downed trees and rotations along with the storms.

Around 10:20 p.m., several parts of the Carolinas -- including  Charlotte, Hickory, Shelby, Greensboro and Chester -- were placed on a tornado watch, but it expired shortly before 1 a.m.

As the line moves through the east, Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich counties will be lifted from the watch.

Panovich said damaging winds are looking to be the primary concern with this line of strong storms, but spin-ups that could produce a quick tornado are not out of the question.

According to Panovich, it won't take much to bring some trees or power lines down. Be weather aware through about 1 or 2 a.m.

Once the line of storms moves through, the severe threat will be done, Panovich said. 

There have been multiple reports of downed trees, even knocking out power for several, throughout the Carolinas as a result of severe weather.

A strong storm moved through Burke County causing the National Weather Service to issue a tornado warning that expired at 4 p.m.  There were several reports of trees down along with power lines in Morganton.

Along with a lot of wind energy and instability in the atmosphere Sunday, West Virginia mountains and possibly even North Carolina mountains could be getting snow.  

Panovich said in the event of tornado warnings in your area, seek shelter and make plans in advance if your home does not have a secured shelter. 

Strong winds coupled with wet grounds sent a tree toppling over onto an RV in a Burke County neighborhood just west of Morganton.

The owner of the RV told NBC Charlotte, “Just a huge gust came, and when it did, the tree came down. There wasn't any other noise other than just an unbelievable 'womp' when it hit the ground.”

Across Burke County, power lines snapped from falling trees on West Fleming Drive in Morganton, which blocked part of the street.

In Mecklenburg County, a tree off Milburn Court in West Charlotte fell from a neighbor’s yard onto the roof of the home next door. The homeowners told NBC Charlotte they were not home at the time when the tree fell, and everyone was safe.

Across town on Summey Avenue in East Charlotte, a large tree broke off and covered the street, bringing the power lines down with it.

“The wind blowed, and the next thing I heard — something popped,” said Harry Lainis, who lives nearby.

The Duke Energy outage map showed more than 150 people were left without power in the area. Crews were on the scene late into the night working to remove the tree and restore power. Neighbors who live close to the tree are calling the damage a best-case scenario.

"No one was hurt,” said Mark Stressman, a resident. “The vehicle it was parked by wasn't damaged, and you know, at the end of the day, you just, you clean it up and you move on."

RELATED: More storms hit Charlotte after severe weather leaves trail of damage

RELATED: Charlotte sees first measurable April snow in 37 years

Less than two weeks into the month and Charlotte's already seen a little bit of everything from Mother Nature. On April 1, the first measurable snow fell in Charlotte since 1982. That quickly gave way to spring-like temperatures and an explosion of pollen in the Carolinas. 

Some people even called it the "pollen apocalypse." Scott says there's good news, though. We're on the downward trend of the pollen season, so if you're suffering from springtime allergies, try to hang in there for a few more weeks. 

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