Duke Energy crews work to restore power after storms damage homes

CHARLOTTE — Severe storms swept through the Charlotte area during the evening commute, leaving behind widespread damage, downed trees, and thousands of power outages.

Across the Carolinas, Duke Energy reported more than 45,000 customers without power following the storm.

In Mecklenburg County, more than 23,000 outages were recorded, along with approximately 3,000 outages reported across Union, Lancaster and Chester counties.

>>>> Click here for updates on watches and alerts.

In residential neighborhoods, including along Linda Lake Drive, fallen trees damaged multiple homes.

Wes Ingle, a long-time resident of Linda Lake Drive, was working from home when the storm struck. “It happened so fast there was no warning,” Ingle said.

He recounted watching the weather turn severe within moments.

“So I was at my desk working when all of a sudden the rain just started, watched the wind come off a neighbor’s roof, and within 30 seconds you couldn’t see outside. That’s when the power went out, and that’s when the trees started coming down,” Ingle said.

One home on the street was struck by two trees, while a third tree crushed an adjacent chicken coop, leaving five of six chickens unharmed.

0 of 15

Outdoor workers in South Charlotte also faced hazardous conditions as the storm moved through.

Luke Dawson, a landscaper working in the area, described the sudden onset of destructive winds.

“The wind went crazy. We’re like, should we leave, and when the trees started falling we’re like yeah we’re leaving,” Dawson said.

Fallen trees also knocked down power lines in the 4700 block of W.T. Harris Boulevard, causing widespread outages in the immediate vicinity.

The Gilgal Christian Center sustained damage from the storm, but church leaders maintained plans to hold a scheduled evening service.

Rodney Peabody, music director for Gilgal Christian Center, said the church would proceed with its event.

“We believe the enemy is fighting, but today we’re gonna have service by all means,” Peabody said. “We are gonna make sure our service is gonna go on.”

Utility crews continue working to restore power in the affected areas. Duke Energy has not provided an estimated timeline for completing repairs.

©2026 Cox Media Group