1 dead, 1 injured in Gaston County; state of emergency, schools closed from ‘major storm damage’ west of Charlotte

GASTONIA, N.C. (WNCN) — As severe storms slammed North Carolina Wednesday, the Charlotte area and Gaston County were especially hard hit — with at least one death in Gaston County, just west of Charlotte, officials said.

By Wednesday night, officials declared a state of emergency in Gaston County and school was canceled for Thursday.

Also Wednesday night, first responders were working to clear roads of downed power lines, and downed trees and help residents in need.

“The county sustained major storm damage on the western end of the county, as well as the city of Gastonia and several other municipalities,” a statement from Gaston County officials said.

South of Cramerton, Gaston County officials said the New Hope Fire Department responded to people trapped in a car by a downed tree. One person was rescued and taken to a nearby hospital, while a second person was killed in the incident.

As of 6 p.m., nearly 45 percent of power customers in Gaston County were without power.

Photos from Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services, Gastonia police and Gaston County police showed major damage throughout the county.

Some photos showed trees snapped in half about mid-way up while other photos showed mangled power poles and electrical lines.

At 9 p.m., the American Red Cross opened an emergency shelter at the Adult Recreation Center at 519 West Franklin Blvd. in Gastonia, police said.

Cherryville police also said there was major storm damage and warned people to stay home.

“Heavy traffic and onlookers are making it extremely hard for first responders and public works to get to areas of need,” the Cherryville Police Department wrote.

In Gastonia, many downed trees were causing problems at York and West 12th along with an area on Cox Road, which is shut down at Court Drive.

“The railroad tracks are compromised due to downed trees,” police warned.

Just south of Interstate 85, there was major storm damage at U.S. 321 and Radio in Gastonia.

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