Scattered thunderstorms developed near the Blue Ridge during the afternoon and moved slowly east some of the storms produced heavy rainfall, brief damaging winds, and intense lightning, with a fatality linked to one lightning strike at the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCDOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-JUL-16 12:46:00 to 16-JUL-16 12:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: OLD FT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Media reported two trees blown down along I-40 in the Old Fort area.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCDOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-JUL-16 13:26:00 to 16-JUL-16 13:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLENWOOD
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Media reported a tree blown down along Highway 221 in the Glenwood area and additional trees blown down on Polly Spout Rd closer to the Rutherford County line.

Thunderstorm Wind in CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-JUL-16 14:29:00 to 16-JUL-16 14:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: HICKORY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Media and HAM Radio operators reported multiple trees blown down throughout the Hickory area, including on Highway 127 and 2nd Ave.

Thunderstorm Wind in CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-JUL-16 14:51:00 to 16-JUL-16 14:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEWTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Public reported (via Social Media) large tree limbs blown down in the Newton area. Media reported trees and power lines down on Sigmon Dairy Rd southwest of Newton.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLEVELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-JUL-16 14:52:00 to 16-JUL-16 15:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAWNDALE JCT
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

County comms reported many trees blown down across the county, particularly in Shelby and vicinity.

Hail in BURKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-JUL-16 13:22:00 to 16-JUL-16 13:22:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHESTERFIELD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Media reported up to penny size hail in the Chesterfield community.

Hail in BURKE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-JUL-16 14:32:00 to 16-JUL-16 14:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: HICKORY
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Media reported nickel size hail in the Hickory area.

Heavy Rain in CATAWBA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-JUL-16 14:30:00 to 16-JUL-16 15:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: HICKORY
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Various sources reported urban flooding developed along Highway 70 in southeast Hickory after more than 2 inches of rain fell in about an hour. The parking lot of Valley Hills Mall had more than a foot of standing water, while an intersection on Highway 70 near the mall was briefly closed. The Hickory Airport measured 2.35 inches of rain in just under an hour.

Lightning in YANCEY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-JUL-16 12:00:00 to 16-JUL-16 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ESKOTA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Newspaper reported a motorcyclist was killed after being struck by lightning at the intersection of Highway 128 and the Blue Ridge Parkway.