High Winds Cause Widespread Damage

High winds caused trees to topple, metal to rip off roofs, and scattered power outages Monday. (Right) A tree fell across three cars in the parking lot of the Johnston County Department of Social Services. (Below) Smithfield firemen responded to Front and Market Street after metal starting coming off the roof of a vacant building.

A powerful storm system brought rain and thunder on Sunday, followed by gusty winds. The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning for the area on Monday. Sustained northwest winds of 25 to 35mph were forecast, along with occasional gusts near 50 to 60mph. Gusts nearly 50 mph were reported before noon Monday in the area. Due to recent rains, soils are soft and trees could be easily uprooted. Winds caused a tree to fall across a power line near Selma Sunday night causing an outage. On Monday, numerous downed trees were reported, including a large limb that fell across three cars in the parking lot of the Johnston County Department of Social Services. One of the vehicles was a total loss. High winds also caused a section of tin roof on a building at Market and Front Street s to dislodge. A small section of the roof at the Neuse Little Theatre was damaged. Trees fell across several roadways, even the train tracks, causing delays for many.