Huge tree blocked Washam Potts

Aug. 8. The second violent late afternoon storm in two days swept west to east across Cornelius Wednesday toppling sailboats and trees along the way. Two dozen sailors at Blythe Landing were rescued by Cornelius Police and Cornelius Fire as “severe winds” capsized their boats faster than you can say man overboard.

An overturned Sunfish at Blythe Landing

Cornelius Police Cpl. Robin Watts said there were no injuries soon after the lightning-fast storm raced on. Huntersville Volunteer Fire was on scene as well.

On the east side of town an ancient and massive tree split and toppled on Washam Potts, between Tryon and Shevington. The road was blocked and traffic was diverted. Neighbors said there was an unusual noise—the sounds of a powerful storm—before gravity did its job once and for all on that old tree.

Cornelius Police and Public Works were on the scene and cutting began around 7:30 pm.

Deck wreck on Peninsula Club North

Midway between Blythe Landing and Washam Potts, another tree went down on Peninsula Club Drive North, damaging a deck almost exactly 48 hours after a massive tree on the same property went down and blocked the road.

The National Weather Service says we can expect more showers and thunderstorms “likely before 1 am, then a slight chance of showers between 1am and 2 am.” The chance of precipitation is 60 percent, with new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except for higher amounts in possible thunderstorms.

The weather Thursday will again be hot and muggy, but the chances of late afternoon storms are only 20 percent. The weatherman says Friday will be partly sunny, with a high near 90, and light and variable wind.