Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon across the North Carolina Blue Ridge. One of these quickly evolved into a severe supercell thunderstorm in McDowell County and tracked east/southeast to the Charlotte metro area, producing areas of large hail and damaging downbursts along its path, including a significant downburst in Cherryville. This was followed by a decaying line of strong to severe thunderstorms that moved into the area from east Tennessee during mid-to-late evening and produced additional localized damaging wind gusts.

Hail in MCDOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 16:20:00 to 16-MAY-23 16:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: DYSORTVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Fire dept reported 3/4 inch hail.

Hail in CLEVELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 17:04:00 to 16-MAY-23 17:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: CASAR
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Public and emergency manager reported quarter to golf ball sized hail in Casar.

Hail in CLEVELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 17:20:00 to 16-MAY-23 17:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: FALLSTON
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Media and public reported quarter to half dollar size hail in the Fallston area.

Hail in GASTON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 18:16:00 to 16-MAY-23 18:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPENCER MTN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Social Media

Public reported (via Social Media) quarter size hail in the Dallas area.

Hail in GASTON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 21:30:00 to 16-MAY-23 21:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: RANLO
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Public

Public reported nickel size hail along Court Dr.

Hail in MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 18:51:00 to 16-MAY-23 18:51:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHARLOTTE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Media and the public reported penny to quarter size hail in Uptown Charlotte.

Thunderstorm Wind in MCDOWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 16:18:00 to 16-MAY-23 16:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: FERO
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency manager reported a tree and power lines blown down on Vein Mountain Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLEVELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 17:05:00 to 16-MAY-23 17:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: CASAR
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency manager reported the tops blown out of 9 trees.

Thunderstorm Wind in GASTON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 17:35:00 to 16-MAY-23 17:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: DELLVIEW
Magnitude: 75.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

NWS storm survey determined intense straight-line winds associated with a supercell thunderstorm winds caused a broad swath of damage through the city of Cherryville. Trees were uprooted, and large branches broken, along NC Highway 274 north of the city limits. The winds progressed southeast through Cherryville proper, and  most of the damage was concentrated within the city. Numerous trees were uprooted, with a few falling on other trees, snapping their trunks. One home had a portion of its roof ripped off, and another metal building lost roof and/or wall panels. One known injury occurred when an individual tried to help people trapped in a car, and was thrown into the air as a tree fell, and suffered a laceration and a broken jaw. Winds associated with the damage were believed to be in the range of 65 to 85 mph. No indication of rotation or a tornado was observed by the survey team, with all damage attributed to straight-line winds. The damage swath ended along NC Highway 279 southeast of Cherryville.

Thunderstorm Wind in LINCOLN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 20:17:00 to 16-MAY-23 20:24:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOGER CITY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Public reported (via Social Media) a tree blown down across power lines in the Lincolnton area, with additional trees and lines down east of Iron Station.

Thunderstorm Wind in MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 21:00:00 to 16-MAY-23 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: THRIFT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Media reported multiple trees blown down along Dunn Commons Parkway.

Thunderstorm Wind in MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 19:03:00 to 16-MAY-23 19:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: LANSDOWNE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Media reported a tree blown down and blocking part of the road at Sharon Amity Rd and Craig Ave and another downed tree blocking the road at Idlewild Rd and Cedarwild Rd.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUNCOMBE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 19:27:00 to 16-MAY-23 19:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEICESTER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

County comms reported sporadic downed trees from Leicester Highway to the Enka area.

Hail in LINCOLN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 18:00:00 to 16-MAY-23 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LINCOLNTON LNCLN ARP
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Social Media

Public reported (via Social Media) nickel to quarter size hail in the Long Shoals area.

Hail in LINCOLN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-MAY-23 17:30:00 to 16-MAY-23 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELAY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency management reported quarter size hail in the North Brook community.