Raleigh, North Carolina – Residents across central North Carolina should prepare for multiple rounds of thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, localized flash flooding and isolated tornadoes through Thursday as tropical moisture combines with a slow-moving frontal boundary.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, a Level 1 and Level 2 severe weather risk remains in place through Wednesday across much of central North Carolina. The greatest concern today is damaging straight-line wind gusts between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m., although an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. The higher severe weather threat is focused across the northern half of central North Carolina, including areas along and north of the U.S. Highway 64 corridor.
The weather pattern becomes increasingly focused on heavy rainfall and flash flooding beginning Wednesday and continuing into Thursday. Forecasters say repeated thunderstorms may produce an additional 2 to 4 inches of rain, especially across the eastern half of the state where soils are already saturated from recent rainfall. The highest flood risk extends along and east of Interstate 95, although localized flash flooding is possible anywhere heavy rain repeatedly tracks over the same communities.
Cities including Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Rocky Mount, Goldsboro, Fayetteville, Sanford and Henderson should prepare for rapidly changing conditions. Heavy rainfall could overwhelm storm drains, flood low-lying roads and cause creeks and small streams to rise quickly. Mainstem rivers, including the Yadkin, Cape Fear, Neuse, Tar and Roanoke Rivers, are expected to respond to repeated rainfall through the week, with additional rises possible into the weekend.
Residents should have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of torrential rain and never drive through flooded roadways. The National Weather Service notes that most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles. Flood Watches are likely to be issued for portions of North Carolina in the coming days as confidence continues to increase in the heavy rainfall threat.
