News Summary
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport faced significant disruptions due to severe weather, implementing a ground stop that affected all incoming flights. By late Thursday, hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled. Local authorities issued flash flood warnings as storms intensified, leading to power outages and emergency alerts across the Charlotte Metro region. Residents are advised to remain vigilant as more severe weather is anticipated.
Charlotte
A ground stop was implemented on Tuesday evening at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport due to severe weather conditions, impacting all incoming flights until 7 p.m. on July 15. The ground stop was later lifted, but as of 11 p.m. on Thursday, over 589 flights were delayed and more than 60 flights were canceled due to ongoing severe weather.
The Charlotte Metro region was forecasted to experience scattered storms and the potential for severe weather throughout the week. Meteorologists indicated that storms and rain would intensify on Thursday evening, prompting the issuance of a Weather Alert advisory. This advisory warned of possible thunderstorms and significant flooding throughout the area.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a moderate risk for excessive rainfall northwest of Charlotte, while a low threat level is in place for areas extending from Charlotte through Raleigh. Slow-moving storms pose a risk for rapid rainfall accumulation of one to two inches, with some isolated areas potentially exceeding three to four inches.
Local authorities issued emergency alerts for considerable flash flooding and flash flood emergencies, advising residents to refrain from driving through flooded roads or crossing bridges with high water. A tree fell onto Interstate 77 in Huntersville, which briefly blocked the southbound lanes but was reopened shortly thereafter.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for most of Lincoln County and northern Gaston County as winds were reported to gust up to 60 mph, accompanied by quarter-sized hail. The storm caused power outages affecting approximately 900 customers in western Lincoln County. In Kannapolis, an estimated 478 customers were without power due to a fallen tree, with restoration efforts expected to conclude by 9 p.m. In Charlotte, over 300 customers reported power outages, particularly in the Plaza Midwood and University City neighborhoods.
The airport also faced disruption on Wednesday, where a previous ground stop due to thunderstorms was initially set to last until 7 p.m. but was ultimately extended to 10 p.m. As severe weather continued to impact the region, a Flash Flood Warning was in effect for central Lincoln County until 11:45 p.m., with additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches forecasted for areas already experiencing flooding.
Flight operations were further disrupted when an American Airlines flight was delayed for two hours while on the tarmac, leaving passengers without air conditioning during the wait. The extended delay was attributed to the severe weather conditions that resulted in a temporary closure of the airport ramp.
With adverse weather conditions ongoing, both travelers and residents are urged to remain vigilant and prepare for potential further disruptions as meteorological forecasts predict additional rainfall and the possibility of severe thunderstorms in the coming days.
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Additional Resources
- WBTV: Ground Stop Issued at Charlotte Airport
- Wikipedia: Charlotte, North Carolina
- WCNC: Charlotte Airport Delays Due to Thunderstorms
- Google Search: Charlotte Weather
- QC News: Severe Weather Causes Airport Ground Stoppage
- Google Scholar: Weather Impacts on Airports
- WSOC TV: Charlotte Flight Stuck on Tarmac
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Weather
- WCNC: Flights Delayed and Canceled at Charlotte Airport
- Google News: Charlotte Airport Delays
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
