Downburst Topples Trees and Power Lines Across Gaston County

Gaston County, NC - At around 3:00 PM on July 10, 2026, a downburst with winds in excess of 60mph caused damage around the county. The Gaston County Police/Fire/EMS - Primary line was flooded with reports of impassable roads and officers requesting assistance with traffic direction shortly after the event ended at 4:00 PM.

A foreman for Duke Energy who was on the scene in Gastonia noted that Belmont, McAdenville, Bessemer City, China Grove, Dallas, Cramerton, and Mount Holly all have electrical damage. If you see a downed power line, it is recommended to stay a minimum of 30’ away and contact 911 immediately. Be aware that the current can travel through water and puddles, and shuffling your feet is the safest way to get away from a downed line. 

A resident helping to clear a tree on River Loop Road after the downburst in Gaston County, NC - July 10, 2026

Mason Beam (WNN)

With a number of trees in the areas, some residents have taken it upon themselves to help clear the road, such as this resident of River Loop Road in Belmont, NC. While taking a break from clearing the debris, he mentioned that neighbors had told him more trees had been downed on their property. He said, “About 20 minutes in, when the storm got heavy, is when the tree came down,” referring to the one he was clearing from the road. 

Remember to pay attention while driving, as some issues may not yet have been spotted.

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