Strong Wind — Iredell, North Carolina

2000-08-18 · near Mooresville, Iredell, North Carolina

Event narrative

A man drowned when wind from a nearby strong thunderstorm blew a boat away from him and a companion while swimming in Lake Norman.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms erupted in an unstable atmosphere during the late afternoon and early evening. Many of the storms or short line segments evolved into bow echoes, leaving a considerable amount of wind damage in their wake. Winds were estimated between 75 and 100 mph in several locations. However, most of the wind damage was limited to downed trees and power lines, though extensive in many areas causing considerable power outages and blocking many roads. Two people were injured by trees which fell on them and one person drowned when his boat was blown away from where he was swimming.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5170312. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.