32,000 Without Power In Iredell County As Zeta Remnants Hit

MOORESVILLE, NC — At least 42 percent of Iredell County residents were without electricity midday Thursday as winds from Tropical Storm Zeta hit the Charlotte metro region, bringing down trees and power lines. The PowerOutage.US website, which tracks problems nationwide, said Duke Energy alone had nearly 54,000 customers offline at 11:40 a.m.

A tropical storm warning was issued for the greater Charlotte metro region before dawn Thursday morning as Zeta began its assault on western North Carolina. Heavy winds and 1 to 3 inches of rain are expected throughout the region, according to the National Weather Service.

As of 11:50 a.m., Energy United reported nearly 23,000 outages, according to the site. Statewide, more than 430,000 residents were without power as more than 30 electric utilities in the state reported outages Thursday morning.

A tropical storm warning remained in effect for the greater Charlotte metro as of 12:15 p.m.

Midday Thursday, the storm was about 100 miles northeast of Asheville, North Carolina, quickly moving northeast and clocking sustained winds of about 50 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. "An even faster northeastward motion is expected later today, followed by a rapid east-northeastward motion tonight and Friday," NHC said in an advisory. "On the forecast track, the center of Zeta will move across the Mid-Atlantic states this afternoon, and emerge over the western Atlantic by tonight."

The storm also creates the risk of isolated minor river flooding, with 1 to 3 inches of rain expected.

Mooresville Graded Schools and Iredell-Statesville Schools canceled in-person classes for Thursday.

"At this time, they are forecasting sustained winds of 30 mph and gusts of 50 mph, with the potential for even higher speeds," MGS said in a statement. "These wind readings are outside of the guidelines for safely operating a school bus, as well as having students in our mobile units."

Deb Belt, Patch Editor, contributed

SEE ALSO:

• Zeta Nixes In-Person Classes For Mooresville, Iredell Schools
• Tropical Storm Warning In NC As Zeta Remnants Advance