Damage assessment continues from Monday's storms. Burke County Emergency Services personnel are still working to clear debris and assess damage left from the storms that affected primarily Eastern Burke County. Citizens are encouraged to stay off the roads if possible in areas where debris is being removed or where utility workers are attempting to restore service. Eastern Burke County citizens having storm damage should call emergency officials at 397-6400; however, remember that municipal, county, state and federal agencies are not authorized to remove debris from private property - unless the debris is deemed to pose an extraordinary threat to human health and safety. Officials encourage those residents to take storm debris to the Burke County landfill and identify it as 'Hildebran Storm damage' for FEMA tracking purposes. Neighboring Caldwell and Catawba Counties were hit hard by Monday's storms as well.

A Forest City man is charged with attacking a Morganton Public Safety officer. According to a Public Safety news release, the incident occurred about 11pm Saturday, during a license check at the intersection of Jamestown Road and Carbon Drive. The officer, Sargent Edwards, noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from a car operated by Nelson Cornwell Montgomery. During a probable cause search, Montgomery ran off towards Carbon City Road and in an ensuing struggle, Montgomey struck Edwards on the side of the face. Edwards was able to strike Montgomery, who fell to the ground. Three other Public Safety officers assisted and were able to handcuff Montgomery. He faces five charges and bond was set at $14,000.