A strong storm caused more than 100 accidents in the Triangle today, flooded a few streets and felled trees, including an old oak at the State Capitol.

But central North Carolina was largely spared serious damage from a storm that's been blamed for at least 8 deaths statewide.

In Wake County alone, between 75 and 100 accidents were reported, though none caused serious injury, said Jesse Creech, supervisor on duty at the Raleigh 911 center. More than 50 accidents were reported to the State Highway Patrol across the Triangle, said Lt. Everett Clendenin. That's normal for such slick conditions, Clendenin said.

"Around here, it's just been a typical rain day," Clendenin said.

Power went out in Wendell and in Raleigh briefly, Creech said, but it has been restored.

"We feel lucky we didn't get what everybody else got," he said.

In Durham, an N.C. Central University campus police officer hydroplaned in his personal vehicle off N.C. 147 near the Cornwallis Road exit and landed in a median ditch.

Officer Michael Shaw suffered minor injuries to his leg in the early-morning accident and was resting at home Thursday afternoon. He was not cited, said Trooper M.G. Stuart of the Highway Patrol.

Several flooding-related accidents were reported on N.C. 147 near the T.W. Alexander Drive exit, Stuart said. A drain was clogged, flooding part of one lane. That has since been cleared.

Part of the 1500 block of Pettigrew Street in Durham was flooded and closed to traffic. Damage to nearby homes was unknown, but water levels had not risen above even their low concrete front porches.

A Cary home was struck by lightning early Thursday morning, causing a small fire with minimal damage, said Deputy Fire Chief Jay Poole.

There were several reports of tornadoes in Johnston County, prompting school students to briefly take cover under desks. No tornado touch-downs were reported, said Jason Barbour, a supervisor at the Johnston County 911 center. Other than that, a few wrecks and downed tree calls were the extent of damage in Johnston.

"We were geared up for something more serious," Barbour said. "But thank goodness it didn't happen."

At the State Capitol, an oak that had rotted inside was knocked to the ground, damaging two bird baths, said Capt. Ben Franklin of the State Capitol Police. An arborist was called in to test the strength of the other trees, Franklin said.