Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and a Tornado Watch were in effect much of the day but expired for the viewing area by 8:45 p.m. Late Monday night, the severe risk was gone, but wind gusts continued to whip through the region, including in Durham and Raleigh,
Trees swayed, and some fell across the area.
On Lead Mine Road near Forum Drive in Raleigh, a tree was blocking a lane of traffic. A Raleigh police officer was called in to help guide drivers out of the lane before a crew came to remove the tree. No damage was reported from this incident.
However, that wasn't the case for residents of a home on Manchester Drive in north Raleigh. A large tree fell on top of the home. It didn't appear anyone was home or that anyone was hurt, and a crew was also there responding to that downed tree.
With the wind still a concern, some residents tied down their outdoor furniture and moved their trash bins to the garage to keep the wind from blowing them away.
Several thousand people were without power in Wake County and nearby areas on Monday night.
In Chapel Hill, a downed tree was blocking southbound lanes of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Piney Mountain Road and Estes Drive.
Drivers heading south on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard can still pass through the area, as the northbound lanes are temporarily set up for two-way traffic, officials said.
Downed trees were also reported in other areas, including on Murchison Road in Chatham County, south of Goldston. That tree took down powerlines that were blocking the roadway late Monday night.
"As this storm moves across the state, North Carolinians should stay alert and be prepared to take cover if severe weather develops nearby," said Gov. Josh Stein. "Our State Emergency Response Team is activated, closely monitoring conditions, and ready to respond. Please keep your phones charged and nearby for any emergency alerts and be ready to take shelter if needed."
In Franklin County, about 1,600 customers were without power early Monday evening, mostly in the Youngsville area. Most power had been restored by 9 p.m.
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Highs were in the upper 60s to low 70s across the region on Monday. Much colder air arrived in the evening, with lows dropping into the upper 20s to low 30s.
"We have seen multiple tornado warnings so far today, and we will continue to see the chance of severe weather throughout the day," said NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray. "All North Carolinians need to remain weather aware today and have a plan to take action to protect your family when these storms impact your community."
Though the viewing area did not see tornadoes, one did touch down in Charlotte, tearing the roof off a warehouse of an HVAC company.
Fayetteville responders, shelters stand ready
Things calmed down in Fayetteville on Monday evening after a day of gloomy skies, intermittent rain, and occasional gusty winds along the busy I-95 corridor, where cars and trucks continue to pass through the area.
Fayetteville responders, shelters stand ready
Emergency officials say they have been proactive in protecting residents. The city of Fayetteville operates 17 fire stations, each staffed with about five to seven firefighters at any given time. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) maintains 10 to 12 trucks on the road, with crews working 12-hour shifts.
Laura Smith, Emergency Management Coordinator for Fayetteville, emphasized the importance of preparedness and outlined what residents should include in a 72-hour emergency kit.
"So a good rule of thumb is having one gallon of water per person, per day. You want to have some nonperishable foods, some clothing, toiletry items, games for your kids, battery backup, extra batteries, flashlights, household tool kit, just those things," Smith said. "Another important thing to include in your emergency kit is cash. I often forget this myself, since we usually rely on cards or our phones. But if the power goes out and your phone dies, having cash can really help."
According to The Salvation Army staff on Alexander Street, more than 89 people were served lunch, and that number typically increases at dinner time. During periods of severe weather, the Salvation Army prepares by stocking up on bottled water and food in its refrigerator, freezer, and pantry.
Maj. Jason Hughes of the Salvation Army said the shelter remains open during the day to provide a safe space for anyone seeking refuge from the storm.
"We're going to take and remain open during the daytime when we're running it, similar to a warming station. So it's not cold outside, but because of inclement weather, we wanted to make sure that persons had a safe place to be able to go to, to make sure that they were out of the weather and safe," Hughes said.
Smith also encouraged residents to keep emergency kits ready and noted that the city's fire and EMS crews stand prepared for any situation. The Salvation Army shelter remains open for anyone who needs it, serving men, women, and families throughout the community.
Looking ahead
A slight chance of lingering showers may persist through early Tuesday.
Highs on Tuesday will be in the upper 40s to around 50, but afternoon feels-like temperatures will be in the upper 30s to mid 40s.
Warmer conditions gradually return through the week, reaching average highs by Thursday and climbing into the 70s by the weekend.
ABC11's Elaina Athans, Cindy Bae, Akilah Davis, DeJuan Hoggard, Penelope Lopez, Michael Perchick, and Diane Wilson contributed.