Severe Storms Cause Chaos in Asheville and Beyond

Asheville, North Carolina – Severe storms have hit the Southeast and South-central regions of the United States, particularly across western North Carolina and Texas, leading to significant hazards including hail, flash flooding, and damaging winds. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a rare outlook for hail across much of western North Carolina, warning residents of potential hailstones up to 2 inches in diameter or larger.

Severe storms are expected to develop late Thursday afternoon, continuing into the evening and overnight. Areas in western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, and northeast Georgia should be prepared for damaging winds alongside the hail. On Tuesday afternoon, a car crash led to a temporary shutdown of Interstate 40 near the North Carolina-Tennessee line, highlighting the hazardous conditions on the roads.

The crash occurred at 3:07 p.m. near mile marker 3 in Haywood County, about 3.5 miles east of the Tennessee state line. The road was initially closed in both directions, but by 5:28 p.m., the right shoulder of I-40 reopened. Traffic was reported at a standstill during the incident, and lanes were subsequently cleared with only the shoulders closed by 3:39 p.m.

As the storms passed through Asheville on May 8, 2025, the city reported torrential downpours and significant hail, totaling 2.78 inches of rainfall. This amount broke a record set in 1973. Residents also experienced quarter-sized hail and wind gusts reaching 57 mph. In contrast, northern Mississippi faced severe hail conditions, with reports of golf-ball-sized hail and wind gusts up to 70 mph.

In South Texas, on the same day, storms generated destructive gusts up to 89 mph in Jim Wells County. The powerful winds resulted in considerable property damage and caused power outages affecting approximately 5,300 residents at the storm’s peak. As a precaution, several school districts in the impacted regions announced closures for Friday.

Nueces County, which encompasses Corpus Christi, also faced road closures due to downed power lines, with some streets remaining impassable into Friday afternoon. These weather disturbances are linked to an unusual weather pattern, known as an omega block, resulting in stagnant conditions and widespread adverse weather across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions.

Forecasts indicate that the region could receive another 2-5 inches of rainfall over the coming days, with some areas potentially exceeding a foot of rainfall. Places like Tallahassee, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; and Charleston, South Carolina are all under alert for heavy rainfall and associated flooding risks.

Flash flooding represents the deadliest weather-related hazard in the U.S., with an average of 127 fatalities each year attributed to this phenomenon. The National Weather Service emphasizes the danger of even a small amount of fast-moving water, as just 6 inches can knock an adult off their feet, while 12 inches of floodwater can carry away a vehicle.

Asheville City officials advise drivers to exercise caution in the wake of heavy rains, particularly concerning floodwaters and standing water on roadways following the downpour around 4:15 p.m. Local reports indicate that broken tree limbs have contributed to clogged storm drains, worsening the flooding conditions throughout the area.