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NWS: EF1 tornado was on the ground for 12 miles across 3 counties

By Stephanie Tinoco and Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
By Stephanie Tinoco and Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — The National Weather Service confirmed Thursday morning that an EF1 tornado touched down in Cleveland, Lincoln and Catawba counties Monday night as strong storms rolled through the region.

[READ MORE: Tornado that slammed Hickory airport was EF2, NWS says]

The tornado's maximum wind speeds were estimated at 100 mph and the NWS estimated that the tornado was on the ground between 4:08 p.m. and 4:24 p.m., spanning nearly 13 miles across the three counties.

According to the NWS, the tornado touched down near Lawndale, damaging buildings and homes and snapping trees. It continued northeast, passing through extreme northwest Lincoln County and into southwest Catawba County before it lifted.

Additional straight-line wind damage continued through western Catawba County as well as eastern Burke County, resulting in hundreds of trees being toppled.

Thousands still without power days after storm slammed Catawba County

The American Red Cross is keeping the Valdese Recreation Center in Burke County open for residents in Catawba County.

There are still more than 3,300 people without power in Catawba County after storms hit the area Monday.

[READ MORE: National Weather Service assesses damage from tornadoes in NC, SC]

Several people were expected to stay overnight as crews work to restore power in the area.

The YMCA in Hickory has also opened its doors.

Kennedy Faw said she didn't just lose power, but lightning struck and split a tree in half that landed in her living room and knocked off the power line.

"Half of it was on the house and knocked off the power line,” Faw said. "I was just kind of shaking the whole time because I didn't know what was going on. I was kind of panicking."

More storm damage coverage:

Channel 9 cameras were rolling at Faw’s home as her power was restored, but that's not the case for everyone.

“We've been without power since 9 o'clock yesterday,” Johnnie Smith said.

Thousands of people across Catawba County were still without power on a chilly Wednesday night, with temperatures dipping into the 30s.

"Lots of blankets,” Smith said. “Gotta do the best you can to stay covered up."

More than a thousand line workers from out of the area are assisting Duke Energy to get the power back on. People still without power are expected to have it back late Thursday night.

Anne Crowder said she bought a generator to get through the frigid night.

"I didn't want to leave and I got plenty of blankets,” Crowder said.

Others are turning to the Red Cross. More than 100 cots were set up and ready for anyone who needs a shower or warm place to spend the night.

"We're out here in full force helping anyone that needs the help,” said Larry Harris of the American Red Cross.

Crews with the county will continue to survey for damage through Thursday morning.

Those efforts are presenting a new challenge for people like Dustin Stump, who was still in the dark Wednesday night, and he got a motel room because of the cold weather only to find out a few hours later, his home caught fire when the power came back on.

Firefighters believe the fire started near the stove in the kitchen.

"Turn your stuff off, make sure your stuff is off,” Stump said. “If anything, go to your main breaker and turn it off to prevent this."

Chris Bolick lost power and a huge tree came crashing down on their bedroom.

Since then, he's gone a step further having the meter taken off his house.

Bolick and his family had taken cover in the basement during the tornado and were not hurt.

"We went underneath the stairwell and took shelter,” Bolick said. “(We) had a gymnastic mat we put down and our bicycle helmets we put on our heads."

"I guess it’s one of unbelief,” said Amy Bolick. “Very grateful that we had been spared. Had it happened at night, it would have been a different story."

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