Strong storms and high winds left behind significant damage to some areas across central NC

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- High winds and storms hit central North Carolina Sunday morning, leaving behind widespread damage to businesses and other buildings across the area.

Several storm warnings and wind advisories were issued across the area throughout the morning and afternoon.

Lizzie Skinner was clocking into her job at the Flying Iron Harley Davidson in Rocky Mount on Sunday morning when she realized something wasn't quite right.

"Next thing I know, I hear some rumbling. I knew the wind was blowing really hard," Skinner said.

After a few moments, Skinner said she heard a crashing noise and then went outside to find that a portion of the siding of the dealership had come crashing down in the wind. No one was injured in the storm and the inside of the building was not damaged.

"All of this side has gone, and it was just left the metal exposed on the inside," Skinner said, gesturing to the damaged area which was covered by a tarp in the afternoon.

Across the area, Sunday morning's line of storms brought widespread impacts. In Wayne County, photos show wind damage in the La Grange area, where those storms tore through a turkey farm and other nearby properties.

At RDU, it was a frustrating day for travelers with more than 150 delays and dozens of flight cancellations due to the weather. Skinner said she's grateful the damage and physical toll wasn't worse.

"We are super, super blessed that it didn't cause anybody to get hurt and actually no damage to the inside where it didn't it didn't hit any of the windows," Skinner said.

Fayetteville

In Fayetteville at around 9:30 a.m., a cover for part of the HVAC system at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center was dislodged because of the storm. A hospital spokesperson said it then hit and broke the windows of two patient rooms on the seventh floor.

A patient was staying in one of the affected rooms at the time but thankfully was not injured.

"Staff immediately secured the area, relocated the patient, and began assessing and repairing the damage. We are conducting a thorough review to prevent future incidents. The safety of our patients, visitors, and staff remains our highest priority, and we appreciate the quick response from our team in managing this weather-related event," the hospital said in a statement sent to ABC11.

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center is located on Owen Drive.