Ice takes down trees, power lines in mountains - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

An overnight ice storm took down trees and power lines across the mountains, leaving thousands without electricity.

With temperatures hovering near freezing, Monday night's rain froze to limbs, roads, signs, bridges and overpasses across the mountains, producing a glaze of ice.

The National Weather Service reported a half-inch of ice had fallen in Fairview, NC. A quarter-inch of ice was reported in Weaverville, East Flat Rock and Saluda, all in North Carolina.

Pictures from FOX Carolina iWitness "Wizard" showed a thick coating of ice covering the blooming trees in Black Mountain.

Some trees had reportedly fallen, including one that was blocking Altamont Road near Lake Circle Drive in northern Greenville County in South Carolina on Tuesday morning.

The ice seemed to cause most of the trouble in the mountains of North Carolina. Duke Energy reported more than 2,500 customers without power in Henderson County and more than 1,200 in McDowell County.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter at its office in Hendersonville at 203 Second Ave. E. People who want to use the shelter should bring their essentials with them, officials said.

The rain ended for most of the area by Tuesday afternoon, but winds remained gusty. A wind advisory was in effect for most of the mountains until 6 p.m. According to the National Weather Service, winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

Clear skies and warmer temperatures return for mid-week, Kent said.

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