Just west of a strong frontal boundary, a large thunderstorm complex dropped southeast during the late afternoon and early evening.   The strong gusty winds associated with the storms, caused trees to fall on electric lines.   One utility company estimated 20,000 customers had their power interrupted.

Hail in ROANE, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 16:45:00 to 17-MAY-01 16:45:00 (EST)
Location: SPENCER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in FAYETTE, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 17:00:00 to 17-MAY-01 17:05:00 (EST)
Location: SMITHERS
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Power lines and poles were knocked down by fallen trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 15:45:00 to 17-MAY-01 15:45:00 (EST)
Location: RAVENSWOOD
Property damage: 20K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Estimated wind gusts of 60 mph blew down trees.  Fallen trees caused extensive roof damage to a house on Gibbs Street and another home on Race Street.

Thunderstorm Wind in PUTNAM, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 16:10:00 to 17-MAY-01 16:10:00 (EST)
Location: SCOTT DEPOT
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Trees and power lines were knocked down, onto a church, causing a roof fire.

Thunderstorm Wind in PUTNAM, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 16:30:00 to 17-MAY-01 16:30:00 (EST)
Location: LIBERTY
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Large trees fell across Route 34.

Thunderstorm Wind in WIRT, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 16:15:00 to 17-MAY-01 16:15:00 (EST)
Location: ELIZABETH
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Trees were down in the Tuckers Creek vicinity.

Thunderstorm Wind in WIRT, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 16:20:00 to 17-MAY-01 16:20:00 (EST)
Location: ELIZABETH
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Route 5 was blocked by fallen trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in BOONE, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 16:35:00 to 17-MAY-01 16:35:00 (EST)
Location: RACINE
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Trees were knocked down on power lines near Costa.

Thunderstorm Wind in WOOD, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 16:05:00 to 17-MAY-01 16:05:00 (EST)
Location: WILLIAMSTOWN
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Trees were blown down across power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in RALEIGH, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 17:10:00 to 17-MAY-01 17:10:00 (EST)
Location: ECCLES
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Power lines were knocked down by fallen trees in this small community, west of Beckley.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRAXTON, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 17:36:00 to 17-MAY-01 17:36:00 (EST)
Location: SERVIA
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Power outages were caused by fallen trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in PUTNAM, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 16:10:00 to 17-MAY-01 16:10:00 (EST)
Location: HURRICANE
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Thunderstorm Wind in MASON, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 15:50:00 to 17-MAY-01 15:50:00 (EST)
Location: POINT PLEASANT
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Power poles were snapped by fallen trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in CABELL, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 15:43:00 to 17-MAY-01 15:43:00 (EST)
Location: HUNTINGTON
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Large trees were knocked down in the city.

Thunderstorm Wind in LINCOLN, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 16:15:00 to 17-MAY-01 16:15:00 (EST)
Location: GRIFFITHSVILLE
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Large trees were uprooted.

Thunderstorm Wind in KANAWHA, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 16:25:00 to 17-MAY-01 16:35:00 (EST)
Location: NITRO
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Power lines were knocked down by fallen trees from Nitro thru Jefferson to Loudendale.

Thunderstorm Wind in KANAWHA, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 16:50:00 to 17-MAY-01 16:50:00 (EST)
Location: HERNSHAW
Property damage: 2K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Power lines were cut by fallen trees along Route 94.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 17:00:00 to 17-MAY-01 17:00:00 (EST)
Location: IVYDALE
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Large tree branches were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in WEBSTER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 17:35:00 to 17-MAY-01 17:35:00 (EST)
Location: COWEN
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Large tree branches were knocked down.

Lightning in KANAWHA, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-01 16:30:00 to 17-MAY-01 16:30:00 (EST)
Location: SOUTH CHARLESTON
Property damage: 12K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

After being struck by lightning, a large tree fell onto a house.