SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES: Storms slam Carolinas, leave path of destruction behind

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Strong storms moved through our area on Thursday, prompting tornado and flash flood warnings. Our expert team of meteorologists were tracking the line of severe weather that toppled trees, tore off roofs and flooded roads.

>> Scroll below for real-time social media updates

The National Weather Service will be in our area on Friday to confirm if tornadoes did indeed touch down and where. Meteorologist Jaclyn Shearer will be tagging along with them and have live updates on Eyewitness News at 5 p.m.

FORECAST: Gusty, strong winds could hamper cleanup efforts

While the rain subsided, the threats did not. The big issue Friday morning was the flooding of our rivers and creeks. Several school districts have canceled or delayed start times for classes Friday.

The storms killed at least two people in our area and thousands of people remain without power Friday morning.

[MAP: Duke Energy power outages]

[CLICK HERE FOR THURSDAY’S STORM COVERAGE]

Areas under states of emergency:

Union County
Iredell County
Catawba County
City of Hickory

[LIVE INTERACTIVE RADAR]

[LIST OF CLOSINGS AND DELAYS]

Rockslide closes North Carolina highway after heavy rain

A North Carolina highway was expected to be closed during the day Friday while crews cleared debris from a rockslide that may have been triggered by heavy rain.

Removal of mud and debris from the slide began Thursday on U.S. Highway 19/74 in the Nantahala Gorge, the North Carolina Department of Transportation said in a news release.

The location of the cleanup was near Hewitts Road, which NCDOT said was a “troublesome location” that closed the highway a month ago because of a landslide.

The transportation department had set up a marked detour that was expected to add about 20 minutes to a commute.

The area experienced excessive rain and flooded streams leading to road closures, news outlets reported.

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REAL-TIME SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES:

As folks around the region begin to clean up after such widespread damage, our crews will be there. Scroll below for real-time social media updates from Channel 9:

While many families in Matthews NC are cleaning up after yesterday’s damage from a severe storm that burst threw the area leaving lots of damage. These 3 angels decided to go around the neighborhood and give people delicious chocolate chip cookies ⁦@wsoctv⁩ pic.twitter.com/pxrOaznqpS
— Garry Stanley (@garryWSOC9) February 7, 2020

NWS: Confirmed EF-1 tornado in pineville just near the state line.

Most damage was tree damage
Structural damage on industrial drive
— Jaclyn Shearer (@JaclynWSOC9) February 7, 2020

Damage from yesterday's weather event? @CharMeckEM wants to know about it. Here's some links to the #Survey123 APP to provide damage assessments. #CLTwx #OneTownOneTeam https://t.co/MrPYScCfE4 (Residential)https://t.co/idzMXVhrcv (Public)https://t.co/8k9nXA4QAO (Commercial)
— Huntersville Fire (@Huntersville_FD) February 7, 2020

Images of storm damage on Sapp Road from Brandi Joe Kiser of a tree on their new truck pic.twitter.com/1lScHcgruG
— Rowan County Weather (@rowan_county_wx) February 7, 2020

CMEMO, in coordination with @GCRRedCross & @MeckCounty will close the emergency shelters at Naomi Drenan Rec Center (750 Beal St, Charlotte) & Crews Rec Center (1201 Crews Rd, Matthews) at noon today, Fri, Feb. 7.
— Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management (@CharMeckEM) February 7, 2020

We are there as an evacuee returns to his flooded home to save the dogs he had to leave inside. He has Sammy, 1 of 3 dogs waiting on the 2nd floor when he returned to the home in Century Plaza in Mt. Holly. Dutchman Creek rose forcing tenants to leave quickly before sunrise. pic.twitter.com/XujKCocJrl
— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) February 7, 2020

Caravanning with fire and emergency management towards some of the biggest damage sites... and passing plenty of damage on the way pic.twitter.com/sMamkPBaa9
— Jaclyn Shearer (@JaclynWSOC9) February 7, 2020

The South Fork River in Gaston County cresting this morning 6 ft above flood stage. Flood Warning in effect for the area through Sunday morning as water levels slowly get back to normal. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/Oq54d4biq2
— Tony Sadiku (@TonyWSOC9) February 7, 2020

Just caught up with assessment crews in Matthews. They are going to be checking areas with storm damage to determine if a tornado touched down. pic.twitter.com/GKzb68IBm8
— Jaclyn Shearer (@JaclynWSOC9) February 7, 2020

Highland Underwater
Traffic is at a crawl around Mt. Holly. One of its busiest intersections Highland Street and Charlotte Avenue is flooded. Water from nearby Dutchman Creek is well over it’s banks. Residents of the Century Plaza Apartments were evacuated. pic.twitter.com/Y0wrJbD0Oi
— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) February 7, 2020

How much rain fell yesterday? So much that this horse caught a fish... out at pasture! This happened at Lynnwood Farms in Union County. We're continuing to track all the impacts all day today. pic.twitter.com/Ylubux88zv
— Jaclyn Shearer (@JaclynWSOC9) February 7, 2020

This is Stough Road near Roberta Road in @CabarrusCounty. More than 70 roads are closed in Anson, Cabarrus, Stanly and Union counties - some should open once waters recede and are deemed safe. Check https://t.co/E4hZmtwQxN before going out for the latest updates. pic.twitter.com/YNEqtbGH0t
— NCDOT Charlotte Area (@NCDOT_Charlotte) February 7, 2020

Caldwell County- just passed this sign north of a Lenoir. Heading to Boone now to check on conditions. I’ll have live updates throughout the day on channel 9 eyewitness news. pic.twitter.com/O98DVwRfSd
— Dave Faherty (@FahertyWSOC9) February 7, 2020

Sunrise over a flooded downtown Cramerton. The South Fork River crested over night rising enough to completely flood 8th Avene the Goat Island Park. This is normally a street view. Some water got into the kitchen of the fire department and surrounded a home on Riverside Drive. pic.twitter.com/BiYtBZl1J6
— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) February 7, 2020

South Fork River continues to rise rapidly #ncwx @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/SgxFwI8RmA
— John Ahrens (@JohnAhrensWSOC9) February 7, 2020

It’s been raining for about an hour in Rowan County! @wsoctv @WSOCWeather pic.twitter.com/WJrCS9YmBg
— Gina Esposito (@GinaWSOC9) February 7, 2020

NEW: Tree fell on power lines. It’s blocking Milbridge Rd at Weaver Rd in Rowan County. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/b5RZUrGYVy
— Gina Esposito (@GinaWSOC9) February 7, 2020

#Breaking: Woodleaf Firefighters in Rowan County rescued several people and their birds from a home surrounded by water. Gina Esposito is live there --> https://bit.ly/2v9VDf4
Posted by WSOC-TV on Friday, February 7, 2020

Have you seen this yet?? @wsoctv

DON’T DO THIS: pic.twitter.com/4BiaGTO1QN
— John Paul (@JPaulWSOC9) February 7, 2020

NEW: Woodleaf Firefighters in Rowan County rescued 8 people + cage of birds from this home surrounded by water! @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/vl1WPEHHGP
— Gina Esposito (@GinaWSOC9) February 7, 2020

Didn’t make it far from my house this morning before coming across this. Huge cypress tree fell across Museum Rd. Rock Hill. Hit a car. Woman driving is shaken up but ok. Road is down to just the shoulder but cars can get by. pic.twitter.com/xdoB9NgRoa
— Greg Suskin (@GSuskinWSOC9) February 7, 2020

Breaking. There is a water rescue underway on Van Wyck Road. That’s Lancaster County in the town of Van Wyck. I’m told a man tried to drive down the flooded road. Car is submerged. He climbed on top of his car and called 911. He has been rescued and EMS is with him now.
— Greg Suskin (@GSuskinWSOC9) February 7, 2020

BREAKING:

High water rescue in Rowan County. 8 people rescued from a home. pic.twitter.com/V9I9zTFWWn
— John Paul (@JPaulWSOC9) February 7, 2020

We were telling you to watch out for debris when a driver hit a leaning power pole & took off on Pineville-Matthews road. I know it’s hard to see but that’s because there is no POWER on this road. BE CAREFUL! @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/L6FawXfhc0
— Anthony Kustura (@AnthonyWSOC9) February 7, 2020