Severe thunderstorms in Mecklenburg County forced a delay Friday night at Bank of America Stadium, where the Panthers are set to wrap up their preseason schedule against the Houston Texans.
The storms rolled through the Charlotte region around 5 p.m. on Aug. 28, bringing heavy rain and lightning, with conditions expected to linger until about 6:30 p.m. Because of the lightning in the area, stadium officials pushed back the opening of the gates at Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. Fans were also asked to seek cover.
The Panthers’ game is scheduled for 5 p.m., and gates normally open two hours before kickoff.
WBTV Meteorologist Paul Heggen said damaging wind gusts, localized flooding and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning were all possible, with storms most likely across the afternoon and evening on Friday.
WBTV said it was tracking active weather alerts and warnings for the Charlotte area and when they were set to expire through Friday evening.
For anyone dealing with storm damage, Duke Energy’s safety guidance says to stay away from downed or sagging power lines and treat all lines, trees, limbs and anything touching them as energized and dangerous. The company also advises reporting power line hazards to 800-228-8485 or local emergency services, keeping children and pets away from any area where lines may have fallen, and staying in a car if a power line lands on it unless there is an immediate life-threatening reason to get out.
If you’re seeing rain, storms or damage where you are, WBTV is asking people to share photos or videos from their location.
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