Storms cause damage, power outages and flooding

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thursday night’s storms caused flooding and widespread power outages and were so intense, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning until 11 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Mecklenburg County earlier Thursday evening and expired at 6:30 p.m.

Heavy rain, strong wind and lightning were the biggest threats as the storms pushed through.

The showers lingered through mid-evening on Thursday before eventually tapering off.

Similar conditions are in store for Friday as the cold front lumbers through and settles to the south over the weekend. Expect showers and thunderstorms Friday with highs in the mid-80s.

Showers flood I-77

Road crews shut down the left lane of Interstate 77 southbound Thursday night near the state line as a result of flooding. It reopened shortly after 9 p.m.

Storm system causes power outages.

At 11 p.m. Thursday, Duke Energy reported 3,000 customers without power in Mecklenburg County. For outage information, click here.

Storms causes damage at Carolina Waterfowl Rescue

Thursday’s storms caused extensive damage to animal enclosures, fencing and a well pump at the nonprofit Carolina Waterfowl Rescue.

Large tree limbs fell on several animal shelters including one used to house pigeons, and the property's well and exterior fence.

The worst damage was to the area used to house disabled ducks. At this time, volunteers don't believe any birds were injured in the storm.

Weather-related delays at airport

The storm caused major delays at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

At the height of the storms, some planes couldn't land and circled over the airport for up to an hour.

See when the storms will move in and out of the area with our WSOC-TV Severe Weather Center 9 app for iPhones and Android devices.

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WSOC