Strong storms cut power in western SC, NC sweep

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Thousands of Carolinas homes and businesses are out of power as severe storms roll over the mountains and down the foothills, knocking down trees and power lines.

The storms cut off electricity on Saturday to more than 85,000 customers of Duke Energy and Progress Energy.

About 71,000 Duke Energy customers lost power. About 24,000 were in Mecklenburg County. Cherokee and Spartanburg counties were most affected in South Carolina.

Progress Energy spokeswoman Leah Bickley says a large storm cell interrupted service for about 15,000 of the utility’s customers in the Asheville area.

The National Weather Service says the storms packed the potential to deliver wind gusts of up to 70 mph and hail of more than an inch in diameter. Sheriff’s offices in North Carolina said no injuries had been reported.