Straight-line winds, not tornado, caused WNC storm damage, meteorologists say

ASHEVILLE - There were no confirmedtornadoes in the storm that struck Western North Carolina on July 28, according to the National Weather Service. The storm began the evening of July 28 with heavy rain and wind, as well as thunder and lightning. The storm was linked to a larger regional pattern aff

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ASHEVILLE - There were no confirmedtornadoes in the storm that struck Western North Carolina on July 28, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm began the evening of July 28 with heavy rain and wind, as well as thunder and lightning. The storm was linked to a larger regional pattern affecting the Southeast and involving Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. There were no reports of landslides or sinkholes in Asheville, but city crews worked through the night clearing downed trees and securing power lines until utility crews could respond, Asheville spokesperson Kim Miller told the Citizen Times July 29.

Madison County reported mudslides and at least one sinkhole, but no buildings were damaged

during the storm.

The July 28 storms caused a sinkhole in the parking lot of Madison Funeral Home, at 1750 N.C. 213 in Marshall. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, as the sinkhole sits in the private parking lot, it will not be DOT's responsibility to fix it.

No deaths were reported in connection with the storm.

The National Weather Service sent a team to the area on July 29 to investigate whether or not there was a tornado, but meteorologist Patrick Moore told the Citizen Times July 30 that there were no confirmed tornadoes in Madison or Buncombe counties. Most of the damage in the area was from straight-line winds, Moore said.

Kara Fohner is the Public Safety Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email her at kfohner@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Straight-line winds, not tornado, caused WNC storm damage, meteorologists say