Clusters of fast moving thunderstorms developed ahead of a strong cold front. Some of the storms produced damaging winds as they tapped strong gradient winds over the western Carolinas.

Thunderstorm Wind in CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-11 19:11:00 to 03-MAY-11 19:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: CONOVER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: County Official

A tree was blown down on a mobile home on Highland Ave. Trees were also blown down Daniel St and Lee Cline Rd.

Hail in BUNCOMBE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-11 17:05:00 to 03-MAY-11 17:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: BLACK MTN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in MCDOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-11 17:07:00 to 03-MAY-11 17:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRAPHITE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: County Official

Numerous trees blown down in the Old Fort area, with the Mill Creek Rd area, about 4 miles west northwest of town, being the hardest hit. One tree fell on and damaged a mobile home on Middle Street in the city.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCDOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-11 17:13:00 to 03-MAY-11 17:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: DAVISTOWN
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: County Official

Quite a few trees were blown down in the Old Fort Sugar Hill Rd area.

Thunderstorm Wind in BURKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-11 17:40:00 to 03-MAY-11 17:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: County Official

A few trees were blown down along highway 181 in the Brown Mountain area.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALDWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-11 17:55:00 to 03-MAY-11 17:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: PATTERSON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: County Official

A few trees were blown down in a remote area about 8 miles northwest of Lenoir.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALEXANDER, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-11 18:24:00 to 03-MAY-11 18:24:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALL HEALING SPGS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: County Official

A few trees were blown down in the Ellendale area.

Thunderstorm Wind in ALEXANDER, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-11 18:24:00 to 03-MAY-11 18:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALL HEALING SPGS
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Newspaper

An outbuilding was damaged off Zeb Watts Rd about 4 miles west northwest of Taylorsville. Trees and power lines were also blown, particularly along highway 16 around 4 miles north of town.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLEVELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-11 18:45:00 to 03-MAY-11 18:47:00 (EST-5)
Location: OLIVE GROVE
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous trees were blown down along Casar Rd, with most of the damage concentrated in areas around Big Hill Rd, Curt Ledford Rd, Creekwood Rd, and Joe Z Rd. An outbuilding was severely damaged on Creekwood Rd.

Lightning in TRANSYLVANIA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-11 20:00:00 to 03-MAY-11 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DAVIDSON RIVER
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A tree fell after being struck by lightning, damaging a home and destroying an outbuilding in the Williamson Creek area.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUNCOMBE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 03-MAY-11 17:00:00 to 03-MAY-11 17:07:00 (EST-5)
Location: SWANNANOA
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous trees and large limbs were blown down in the Swannanoa area and around Black Mountain. Some trees fell on and blocked roads in Black Mountain. Two people received minor injuries near Black Mountain due to falling trees, one on Goldmont Rd and the other on Old Toll Rd. A couple of small structures also received damage due to falling trees.