Hickory Regional Airport hit hard by storm, possible tornado

HICKORY, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) - Emergency crews now have a long road ahead before the Hickory Regional Airport is back to normal.

Monday evening, the crews brought in heavy equipment to begin cleaning up some of the mess left behind by a possible tornado.

Officials believe a tornado did touch down on airport property between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., but that cannot be confirmed until the area is surveyed on Tuesday.

The strong winds tossed the airplanes around like toys, leaving them crumpled and strewn about the airport grounds. Two airport hangers were also destroyed.

At least four planes were damaged, along with some vehicles. One photo even shows one car flipped on top of another.

Luckily, no one was injured and the airport remains open as crews begin the tough task of putting everything back together.

This isn't the only damage in the Hickory area though. People are without power in the city and FOX 46 Charlotte is told some homes have been damaged. Dozens of trees were down in the area as well.