Charlotte Braces For Possible Threat After Tornado Watch Issued For Area

The National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch for Charlotte and surrounding areas around 2:10 p.m. Thursday (March 18). The alert will likely remain in effect until 6 p.m. Though the chance for severe weather has slightly diminished in the last day, the threat of storms still looms overhead.

"It's good news and bad news," said WCNC meteorologist Brad Panovich. "The severe weather threat has gone down for most of the area but areas south of and east of Charlotte are still at high risk for powerful thunderstorms."

On Wednesday evening, it was reported that much of central North Carolina was under a high-risk warning for severe weather Thursday afternoon. Panovich said that on a scale of 1-4, Wednesday was planning for a level 3 storm. As of Thursday, however, that threat has decreased to a 2. While it seems promising, he stresses that it is important to understand the threat is still there.

The possibility of a tornado has brought up memories for several locals about the tornado that touched down in South Charlotte in February 2020, destroying several homes and scattering debris, WCNC reports.

"I was scared to death," said Gail Barringer, who was upstairs and home alone when the storms struck. "It was the scariest thing I've ever been through."

Now, with the chance that it could happen again, she and her husband, Steve, are prepared.

"We're going to go downstairs so we won't be upstairs should that happen again," he said.

For anyone unfamiliar with tornados, warning signs could include: large hail; a large, dark, low-lying cloud; or a loud sound similar to a train. If a tornado has been spotted in your area, take cover immediately. Find more tips here.

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