60 mph winds rock Hertford County, N.C.

NORTH CAROLINA

Following thunderstorms with winds up to 60 mph, there are reports in Hertford County of two home struck by lightning and trees down in the area, the National Weather Service in Wakefield, Va., said Wednesday night.

The storms struck the area around 7 p.m. At 8 p.m., weather service meteorologist Wayne Albright said the storm is west of Elizabeth City, moving toward the North Carolina Coast. But it is losing intensity, he said.

With the day's 93-degree weather cooling, Albright said: "We're going down the cycle now."  The Outer Banks, he said, will see thunderstorms Wednesday night, but not severe ones.

There is also storming in Virginia, in York County and Hampton. Albright said those storms may die Wednesday night before they reach Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Thursday, Albright said there is the looming threat of severe thunderstorms in eastern North Carolina and Hampton Roads. Also, he said, temperatures are once again expected to reach the mid-90s.

John Warren, (757) 446-2309, john.warren@pilotonline.com