A massive storm brought high winds, heavy rain, some hail and a tornado threat to the area Tuesday evening.

The Tryon Fire Department activated its emergency signal at 7:33 p.m. Tuesday because of a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service. A possible tornado was reportedly coming toward Tryon from South Carolina. No touchdowns were reported in the area.

The local weather was part of a major storm that affected much of the country, causing significant damage in some areas.

Hail was reported in some areas of Polk County. Some residents reported seeing hail the size of a quarter.

The storm’s heavy winds&bsp; brought down one tree on Markham Road in Tryon and a small tree along U.S. 176, according to Tryon Fire Chief Joey Davis. Another tree and a power line was reported down in Mill Spring Tuesday night.

The area received 1.87 inches of rain on Tuesday and forecasts were for more accumulation yesterday. Henderson and Transylvania counties were under flood advisories yesterday after receiving more than two inches of rain.

Tuesday was the first time Tryon’s siren had been used in an emergency situation in decades. The town recently reinstated the siren, which is located on top of city hall. The town has tested the siren since reactivating the device, but had not prior to Tuesday activated it for an emergency situation.

The siren sounded once for four minutes. It can be heard in an area approximately one mile in diameter around the town. Tryon officials say the siren will be activated for tornado warnings that are issued specifically for Tryon, which was the case Tuesday.

Other areas of the country saw major weather events over the last couple of days, including strong winds, rain and tornadoes throughout the country and snow for parts of the Midwest.

The storm reached wind gusts in some areas of the nation of up to 81 mph Tuesday across the Midwest and South.

The storm continued Wednesday, with snow falling in the Dakotas and Minnesota. The National Weather Service reported that as much as eight inches of snow fell in North Dakota.