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Strong Winds in Wendell Falls Cause Power Outages, Tree Damage, and Road Closure
A sudden, high‑wind storm struck the Wendell Falls community in Wake County, North Carolina, on Saturday evening, unleashing widespread damage, power outages, and a closed stretch of U.S. Highway 15‑501.
The First Alert Doppler Net recorded gusts of 55 to 60 mph in the area just before 4 p.m. Saturday, and the wind’s force knocked down dozens of trees, tore part of the roof off a gas station on Wendell Falls Parkway, and left thousands of residents and businesses without electricity for several hours.
Residents said the storm arrived in a flash. "It came in really, really fast. And we were like, ‘What is going on?’" said Taylor Bohn, a homeowner. Bohn added that the wind demolished her patio, ripped her Adirondack chairs from their posts, and blew a child’s dollhouse off its base.
Brandon Rose was on his way to a grocery store when the storm hit. "I had to pull over because visibility was reduced to five feet," he recalled. "It was just coming down in sheets and, like, I turned around and went home because it was hailing."
The wind also split several trees in half. Bohn noted that a large tree across the street was flattened, and many others fell onto county roadways, obstructing traffic.
Wake County’s Power Outages map shows that 36 customers were affected. The outages knocked out traffic signals and forced many local businesses to close. "The businesses are all closed down. They’ve got no power, they’ve got signs in those windows saying, ‘Closed due to no power, opening tomorrow,’" Rose said.
A tree fell onto a vehicle on U.S. Highway 15‑501, shutting down the roadway. The driver was taken to a hospital; officials said the patient was alert and did not appear to have life‑threatening injuries.
ABC11 photojournalist Patrick Priest reported that the tree also struck power lines during the storm.
First responders—including firefighters and police—worked to clear debris and restore power. Bohn expressed gratitude. "I just am hopeful that everyone can stay safe. All the firefighters and all the police. I just thank them for being first responders and going into the danger," she said.
Wake County officials are coordinating with utility companies to restore electricity as quickly as possible. The county’s emergency management team remains on alert, and local authorities have asked residents to stay away from downed trees and damaged power lines.
The storm’s impact highlights Wake County’s vulnerability to sudden wind events. While the damage was significant, there were no reports of serious injuries or fatalities.
As of now, power is being restored in phases, and road crews are working to clear fallen trees from U.S. 15‑501. Residents are advised to monitor local news for updates on power restoration and road reopening.
The incident underscores the importance of preparedness for severe weather in the region, as Wake County continues to experience an increasing frequency of high‑wind events.
The First Alert Doppler Net recorded gusts of 55 to 60 mph in the area just before 4 p.m. Saturday, and the wind’s force knocked down dozens of trees, tore part of the roof off a gas station on Wendell Falls Parkway, and left thousands of residents and businesses without electricity for several hours.
Residents said the storm arrived in a flash. "It came in really, really fast. And we were like, ‘What is going on?’" said Taylor Bohn, a homeowner. Bohn added that the wind demolished her patio, ripped her Adirondack chairs from their posts, and blew a child’s dollhouse off its base.
Brandon Rose was on his way to a grocery store when the storm hit. "I had to pull over because visibility was reduced to five feet," he recalled. "It was just coming down in sheets and, like, I turned around and went home because it was hailing."
The wind also split several trees in half. Bohn noted that a large tree across the street was flattened, and many others fell onto county roadways, obstructing traffic.
Wake County’s Power Outages map shows that 36 customers were affected. The outages knocked out traffic signals and forced many local businesses to close. "The businesses are all closed down. They’ve got no power, they’ve got signs in those windows saying, ‘Closed due to no power, opening tomorrow,’" Rose said.
A tree fell onto a vehicle on U.S. Highway 15‑501, shutting down the roadway. The driver was taken to a hospital; officials said the patient was alert and did not appear to have life‑threatening injuries.
ABC11 photojournalist Patrick Priest reported that the tree also struck power lines during the storm.
First responders—including firefighters and police—worked to clear debris and restore power. Bohn expressed gratitude. "I just am hopeful that everyone can stay safe. All the firefighters and all the police. I just thank them for being first responders and going into the danger," she said.
Wake County officials are coordinating with utility companies to restore electricity as quickly as possible. The county’s emergency management team remains on alert, and local authorities have asked residents to stay away from downed trees and damaged power lines.
The storm’s impact highlights Wake County’s vulnerability to sudden wind events. While the damage was significant, there were no reports of serious injuries or fatalities.
As of now, power is being restored in phases, and road crews are working to clear fallen trees from U.S. 15‑501. Residents are advised to monitor local news for updates on power restoration and road reopening.
The incident underscores the importance of preparedness for severe weather in the region, as Wake County continues to experience an increasing frequency of high‑wind events.
