Strong storms hit area again

Winds clocked at 40 to 50 mph By Amelia A. Pridemore Register-Herald Reporter Strong storms rumbled through southern West Virginia again Wednesday — but these were passing showers compared to the severe storms that struck Tuesday night. Between 1 and 2 p.m. Wednesday, a cold front entered the Beckley area, according to Fred McMullen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston. This, combined with already present summer moisture, caused a brief strong — but not severe — thunderstorm to erupt. Radar estimates clocked winds of 40 to 50 mph in the region, McMullen said. Power lines were downed on Harper Road in Beckley near Tudor’s Biscuit World, according to the Raleigh County Emergency Operations Center. Only one traffic lane was open until around 5:30 p.m. Arcing power lines and trees on top of them were... [read full story]