Some schools were delayed or closed today due to storms Monday that roared through WNC. Burke County Schools were on a two hour delay, with Hildebran and Ray Childers Elementary schools closed due to storm damage. Caldwell County had five schools closed from severe storm damage, South Caldwell High, Dudley Shoals Elementary, Granite Falls Elementary, Granite Falls Middle and Gateway School. All other Caldwell County Schools were on a two hour delay. Other schools on a two hour delay included, Mitchell County, Newton-Conover, Rutherford County, Watauga County and Yancey County. Alexander County Schools were closed for students with an optional teacher workday.

Thousands were left without power after the Monday storms. Just about one half of the Duke Power customers in Catawba County were affected, with 30,00 of the county's 68,000 Duke customers were without power. City of Hickory residents were advised to stay off the streets overnight as crews worked to remove debris and restore power to those affected by a particularly violent storm. Falling trees and limbs caused damage to power lines, roofs, and streets as numerous problems were reported. Two hangers at Hickory Regional Airport sustained damage, but no one was injured and the airport remained open.

Caldwell County Emergency Services is asking all residents with damage to their homes or property to call 828-426-8605 or 426-8606 to report their damage. Three Assessment Taskforce teams will begin surveying the area for the extent of damage this morning. There have been no reports of injuries. Residents in the Grace Chapel area were asked to stay in their homes overnight due to risk of serious injury from fallen trees and power lines.