Storms injure 15 in western North Carolina

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A tree lays in a yard in front of a damaged home after a possible tornado roared through Icard, N.C,. on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. An apparent tornado ripped through Rutherford and Burke counties in western North Carolina, injuring at least three people while damaging dozens of buildings and a mobile home park, National Weather Service officials said Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/MATTHEW HENSLEY/THE MORGANTON NEWS HERALD)

At least 15 people were injured and at least 60 buildings damaged when a possible tornado struck in western North Carolina, the National Weather Service said Thursday.

The storms struck in Rutherford and Burke counties late Wednesday afternoon as a cold front moved through the western Carolinas, meteorologist Neil Dixon with the weather service office in Greer, S.C., said.

Ten people were hurt in Ellenboro in Rutherford County, sheriff’s Sgt. Dwayne Wright said. Two of the injuries were serious, but Wright did not know the extent of the injuries.

At least 10 buildings were damaged in a 3-square-mile residential area, but Wright said officials expected to get a better count on the damage during surveys Thursday.

Some people initially were trapped in their homes.

“Everybody’s out that we know of,” Wright said. “As far as we know, everybody has been accounted for.”

A woman in Ellenboro told WCNC-TV that a neighbor’s roof ended up in her front yard.

“It felt like the whole house was shaking, and all at once you could hear stuff just breaking apart and tearing up. It was frightening,” said Mary Jane Hollifield.

At least five people were hurt when the storm struck a few minutes later in the Icard area of Burke County, Dixon said.

County officials initially estimated 50 buildings had been damaged, he said. Burke County officials did not immediately respond to messages left by The Associated Press early Thursday.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter in Icard. The relief agency said at least 15 people had checked into the shelter at a church by 9 p.m.

Burke County schools planned to open two hours later than usual Thursday.

Wind also struck a marina in Caldwell County late Wednesday, damaging at least three boats. It was not clear if a tornado had hit the area. No injuries had been reported.

A weather service survey team planned to tour the area Thursday to confirm that the damage was caused by a tornado, as well as to determine how strong the storm was, Dixon said.

The storm cell that caused the damage had dumped some hail in northwestern South Carolina before moving into North Carolina, he said.