By Associated Press - Monday, October 23, 2017

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - The Latest on severe weather in North Carolina (all times local):

7:52 p.m.

The National Weather Service reports storm damage in western North Carolina after severe weather rumbled through the region.

In Surry County, trees and power lines were brought down with a possible microburst reported in Pine Ridge. Trees were also toppled in Alleghany County, where a barn and a mobile home sustained damage.

A tree fell onto a car in the Moravian Falls community in Wilkes County, where wind also took down trees. Local media outlets reported building damage in North Wilkesboro.

Officials in Montgomery County reported damages to structures and downed trees outside the McCoy community.

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7:26 p.m.

Transportation officials in North Carolina say a mudslide has blocked a portion of a highway.

The N.C. Department of Transportation said heavy rain on Monday caused a small mudslide on U.S. 64 near its intersection with U.S. 74A in Henderson County, leading the department to close the highway.

A detour has been set up until the road is cleared and deemed safe.

An NCDOT crew responded to the slide and immediately closed the road. Workers trimmed two trees to take weight off the roots, and a team was to monitor the scene overnight before additional assessments are made after sunrise Tuesday.

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7:20 p.m.

Duke Energy reports more than 98,000 customers without power after strong storms rattled western North Carolina before heading east.

The majority of the outages Monday night were in Catawba County, where more than 30,000 customers were without electricity as of 7 p.m. Monday. In Wilkes County, 20,000 customers had no power.

Photos and video from local media outlets showed torrential rains causing flooded streets, and water seeping into buildings.

The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell, Yancey and Transylvania counties until at least 8:15 p.m.

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4:31 p.m.

Severe weather passing through western North Carolina has left more than 11,000 people without power.

Duke Energy reported outages in Henderson, Transylvania and Buncombe counties on Monday, while the Haywood Electric Membership Cooperative reported nearly 3,100 outages.

Officials with Avery County Schools dismissed classes at 2:30 p.m., or 90 minutes early, because of the threat of heavy rains and the potential for flooding.

The National Weather Service issued flood and flash flood warnings for portions of western North Carolina. A tornado watch was post for areas east of Asheville extending to the central piedmont. A hazardous weather outlook was in effect for central and eastern counties.

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