CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Severe storms brought damaging lightning strikes and nickel-sized hail through the Charlotte region Tuesday afternoon.
Charlotte Fire confirmed Wednesday morning that a lightning strike was responsible for over $100,000 worth of damage from an apartment fire during Tuesday's storms. Officials said a team of over 30 firefighters got the blaze under control in about 30 minutes and the Red Cross is assisting families displaced by the fire. On Quail Hollow Road, a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer was spotted working to clear a clogged drain that began to flood the roadway.
Update: Structure Fire; 13128 Atkins Circle Drive; fire was the result of a lightning strike; damage estimates $110,000.00; DGist###
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) June 14, 2017
Update: Structure Fire; 13128 Atkins Circle Drive pic.twitter.com/g71LURxR6S
— Charlotte Fire Dept (@CharlotteFD) June 14, 2017
A @CMPD officer trying to clear a clogged storm drain that has flooded 2 lanes of a charlotte road. @wcnc pic.twitter.com/EeTw4Xs1Th
— Joseph Muller (@Photog_from_SC) June 13, 2017
Meteorologist John Wendel said some areas received over two inches of rain during Tuesday's storms, including the busy intersection of Providence Road and Pineville-Matthews Road. Wendel said there's a risk of more strong storms throughout the week.
@wxbrad time lapse south Charlotte pic.twitter.com/Tay8qjhZot
— Derek Atkinson (@fast1989pony) June 13, 2017
"Just like today Tuesday, we're going to see those thunderstorms pop up in the afternoon," Wendel said. "These thunderstorms will produce a lot of lightning and very heavy rainfall."
In Iredell County, the storms put on quite the show, with over 1,500 lightning strikes being reported over a 15-minute span.
"I think the biggest problem will be lightning," Wendel said. "These storms may produce some gusty winds, but also, they could produce some pretty large hail."
Reports of nickel-sized hail came in from Caldwell County and other areas in the foothills Tuesday.
Severe storms bringing lightning strikes and nickel-sized hail are sweeping through the Charlotte region Tuesday afternoon, causing damage.
Strong storm here in Hickory! Here's a lightning string I got. @wxbrad pic.twitter.com/RHwEtVS7Oo
— Casey Shell (@CaseyShell1) June 13, 2017
Nickel size hail Newton, NC @wxbrad pic.twitter.com/kXSHkRC6o7
— ScienceScafidi (@ScienceScafidi) June 13, 2017
See below for photos of downed trees that have been posted on Facebook by the Caldwell Journal.