Split tree falls onto car, home while classes being taught in east Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — Remnants of Hurricane Ian moved northwest through the Queen City Friday afternoon and it brought strong, steady rain and wind.

About 6,000 Duke Energy customers lost power in Mecklenburg County as the storm moved through.

Wind gusts in Charlotte reached at least 46 mph.

There were several reports of trees downed in Charlotte, known for its aging tree canopy.

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One of the first reports of a downed tree was one that split in half and fell onto a car and home in east Charlotte.

The owner of the home on Tyrone Road took Channel 9 inside, where she runs a home school program. The fallen tree called serious damage to the ceiling of the kitchen and classroom.

Channel 9's Ken Lemon covers possible downed tree in southeast Charlotte

Yolanda Prescott said she and a student were inside when they heard the crack.

Prescott said she won’t be staying in the house for the remainder of the storm because she’s nervous about other nearby trees falling.

Nobody was hurt in the incident.

Officials with the Charlotte Fire Department tweeted at 5:15 p.m. that they responded to 39 storm-related emergencies since Thursday afternoon.

They said the damage was from trees on homes, roads and power lines.

Two families that were displaced are being assisted by The American Red Cross.

In uptown, CATS reported that a tree on the overhead catenary system, which paused operations for the CityLYNX Gold Line service. The Gold Line returned to normal less than 30 minutes later.

ADDITIONAL COVERAGE:

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• Hurricane Ian: Storm churns toward Carolina coast (live updates)
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• School districts close, move to remote learning Friday due to expected inclement weather

VIDEO: Storm forecast update at 5:30 p.m. Friday

Friday evening's forecast from Severe Weather Center 9

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