High Wind in Wake, North Carolina

A strong low pressure system exited North Carolina early on the 1st, followed by a strong gradient wind behind the associated surface cold front. Winds gusted to around 45 knots during the day and were sustained at 30 knots at times from the northwest during the afternoon. Several trees were blown down across the county.Many of the fallen trees had damaged root systems related to Hurricane Fran hitting the area in September 1996.While planting azaleas in his front yard, a man was crushed by a pine tree that snapped off about 15 feet above the ground. He died at the hospital due to a broken neck and chest injuries. Another man was injuried by a falling tree while working on a roof.About 10,000 customers lost electric service in the Raleigh area due to trees falling on power lines.