The latest in a series of violent late afternoon storms with heavy rain, thunder and lightning left trees on roadways and caused other problems between about 6 and 7:45 p.m. Thursday.
Trees were downed in much of Wilkes County, but the worst damage appeared to be in the Rock Creek, Mountain View and Roaring River areas.
Roaring River Fire Chief Dale Pierce said N.C. 268 East was blocked by downed trees at a point near the old Cheek’s Market.
Pierce said Roaring River firefighters responded but had to leave and let the N.C. Department of Transportation clear the trees when they were dispatched to a house fire on White Plains Church Road. He said the fire resulted from lightning striking to poplar trees and going from there into the house via an air conditioning system. Pierce said the fire was mostly in the attic and resulted in about $30,000 in damage, but didn’t destroy the house. The Broadway, Ronda and Knotville fire departments assisted Roaring River.