Storms Buffet North Carolina
Thousands of North Carolinians are without electricity in the wake of severe thunderstorms pounded the state with large hail and high wind.
CBS News Correspondent Jim Krasula reports the storms caused minor structural damage in several counties, and lightning started several house fires.
"The call volume is outrageous," said Nash Hardy, a volunteer answering phones at the Fuquay-Varina Fire Department in Wake County.
Lightning during the Friday storms also struck a vehicle in Cumberland County; the driver was treated by paramedics.
Duke Energy reported about 50,000 customers were still without power Saturday, including 41,500 in the Charlotte area.
"There's been a great deal of damage with downed trees. It takes a lot of work to remove them," Duke spokeswoman Guynn Savage said.
Some 37,000 Carolina Power and Light Co. customers were without power late Friday. Representatives did not immediately return calls for updates Saturday.
Based on damage reports, the National Weather Service estimated wind gusts reached 60 to 70 miles per hour. Wind damaged three small airplanes at an airport in Rowan County, which also had reports of hail as big as golf balls.
In Wrightsville Beach, the storms took the form of rough seas and rip tides, which swept a man and two children out to sea.
The swimmers' peril was witnessed by contestants in a surfing contest that was underway nearby, among them, surfer Heather Phipps. She was in the midst of the competition when she heard the cries for help, and broke away immediately to go to the rescue, as did several spectators.
All three swimmers were brought to shore safely.
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