TREE FALLS ON HOME IN BETHLEHEM — This was the scene of storm damage on Tuesday evening, July 28, at 196 Unnamed Lane, in the Bethlehem Community. Bethlehem Fire Chief Ashley Starnes said that the residents were able to stay in the home following the storm. (Bethlehem Fire Dept. photo)
A severe thunderstorm which rushed through Alexander County on Tuesday afternoon, July 28, 2026, damaged at least two homes in Bethlehem and caused power outages.
Bethlehem Fire Chief Ashley Starnes said reported the following damage:
• At 22 Old River Lane, a lightning strike sparked an outbuilding fire which damaged about 15 percent of the structure.
• Shortly after, a tree fell at 5988 NC Hwy. 127 South.
• At 314 Brook Hollow Lane, a tree fell on power lines.
• At 196 Unnamed Lane, a tree fell on a home. The residents were able to stay in the home.
Also, electric customers of EnergyUnited reported 33 outages about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Bethlehem and Duke Energy customers reported 10 outages across Alexander. In the region, Duke had over 16,000 outages in western North Carolina as of 7:00 p.m. Tuesday.