ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Strong winds began causing disruptions across Asheville and surrounding communities early Monday afternoon, knocking down trees and leaving hundreds without power.

By 1 p.m., a tree was reported down on Garrison Branch Road in Weaverville, and scattered power outages were reported across Buncombe County.

According to the Duke Energy outage map, about 440 customers were without electricity east of Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. The utility listed the cause as fallen trees and limbs damaging the equipment and estimated service would be restored by 4:30 p.m. Altogether, some 691 customers were reported without electricity in Buncombe County. By 3 p.m., that number had climbed to 3,977 people without electricity.

Some 31 customers were without power near Stockton Bridge Road outside Barnardsville. Duke Energy said that outage was caused by fallen trees or limbs and estimated restoration by 4:45 p.m.

About 38 customers in the Main Street area of Weaverville were without power at 3 p.m. Power there was expected to be restored by 5:45 p.m. Some 108 customers in the Shope Creek area were without power. The cause of that outage was listed as unknown on the Duke Energy outage map.

Almost 3,000 customers in the Royal Pines area of Asheville were without electricity by 3 p.m. Assessments of that outage were underway with no timetable for repairs to be completed, according to the Duke website. Another 533 customers were powerless in the Cane Creek area.

Additional outages were reported across the region, including 88 customers without power in Haywood County, 33 in Henderson County, 14 in Jackson County, 82 in Macon County and 29 in Mitchell County.

The Double Island Fire Department urged drivers to use caution, saying crews had been cutting trees out of roadways for several hours. The department said windy conditions were expected to continue through the night.

Officials urged residents to use caution during high winds and to stay clear of downed trees and power lines.