ROWAN CO., N.C. -- A storm swept through Rowan County Monday night and left a trail of destruction and debris in its path.

Strong winds, heavy rains, and possibly a tornado caused the damage along Goodnight Road and Highway 29 in southern Rowan County. The storm hit around 6:00 p.m. It blew in the front walls to businesses and tore off a roof.

Paul McGee watched as a tree fell near his mobile home.

"We thought it had hit the trailer while it was raining. I couldn't come see until [the rain] stopped. Then, I saw there was no damage," said McGee.

Fire crews cut trees down and cleared roads within minutes of the storm. Several thousand people lost power but it was restored in a about two hours.

Meteorologists from the national weather service plan to be back out in the morning to decide if the damage was caused by straight line winds or a tornado.

SLIDESHOW: Storm Blows Down Rowan County Walls