Wiggity weather

Just when you thought it was safe…

A big ol’ nasty storm cell is currently shooting through our area. The sirens went off at about 5:20 p.m., with spotters, um, spotting a tornado north of town heading southeast. At this point, we at work were forced into the basement.

Now that we’re back up at 5:45, I see Weather Underground is reporting 0.88-inch hail and “wind damage across whole city. Trees and power lines down.” I also have heard anecdotal reports of damage at Gordman’s. Like those poor bastards need any more crap. They’re set to reopen in August after getting shat upon back in March.

UPDATE 6:03 p.m.: Stephane Wright of WAND reports intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Jefferson Street is blocked.

UPDATE 6:05: Da sheriff on NC20 reports numerous trees down in Chatham. Elizabeth Wooley reports pea-sized hail in downtown Springfield and that White Oaks Mall has been closed.

UPDATE 6:09: Via WUnderground, the National Weather Service says a tree has fallen on a car on Second Street. One injured person, has been “transported to hospital.”

UPDATE 6:15: NC20 is reporting several trees down across the city: 2100 block of East Ash, Eighth and Enterprise, trees on a car along North Fifth Street…

UPDATE 6:26: NWS says thunderstorm winds have peeled siding from houses in Williamsville (or Billtown, if you prefer) and downed “numerous branches.”

UPDATE 6:29: NC20 has video of splintered trees in front of a house somewhere in Springfield, no address given. Sounds like the worst is over. More to come on merits.

UPDATE 6:49: Just got off the phone with my friend Stevie, who just got into town today while visiting from Denver. Stevie, who moved away in 1999, says he doesn’t miss our weather at all. He was, however, excited by the propect of seeing his first transformer meltdown, which was not long after he said a branch came down in front of his car where he was staying. Welcome back to the SPI, my friend. Now I’m afraid you’ll never come back.