Severe Storms Tear Through Clay County, Tri-State Area

Photo by Sandra Plumier: High winds brought a sizeable tree limb on this lawn mower and utility trailer.

On Monday, Aug. 7, a line of severe storms disrupted the summer afternoon in Clay County. Around 3 p.m., a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for multiple western North Carolina counties along with counties in north Georgia and east Tennessee. Wind gusts hitting near 70 m.p.h. ripped through the tri state area along with reports of dime-sized hail. Heavy rain and multiple lightning strikes were also imbedded in the line of storms.

Photo by Dalton Rickett: This tree across the road just past the auction house brought traffic to a standstill.

Once the original storm passed, citizens started assessing the damage. Multiple reports of trees blocking roads started coming in. Drivers in Brasstown found themselves having take an impromptu detour, taking Green Cove Road to Creamery Road to avoid a downed tree across on Old 64 West.

The high winds and fallen trees also caused power outages. The Blue Ridge Mountain EMC outage website showed more than 7,000 members without power at 4:30 p.m. In a social media post, BRMEMC assured customers repairs would begin as soon as conditions were deemed safe for workers.

A tornado watch remains in effect for the area until 7 p.m. EST Monday due to another line of storms making its way eastward from Alabama.