Raleigh, N.C. – Heavy rain returns to central North Carolina Wednesday afternoon, threatening renewed flooding in Durham, Greensboro, and surrounding areas already waterlogged from recent storms.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, a Flood Watch will take effect at 2 p.m. Wednesday and remain in place until 2 a.m. Thursday. Counties included in the watch are Alamance, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Lee, Moore, Orange, Randolph, Vance, and more. Forecasters warn that slow-moving showers and thunderstorms could drop 1–3 inches of rain in a short time, with some spots seeing even higher totals.
Cities such as Winston-Salem, High Point, Sanford, and Chapel Hill remain at risk for creek and stream flooding, especially in neighborhoods and roads that flooded during Sunday and Monday’s heavy rainfall from the remnants of Chantal. Local emergency managers urge drivers to avoid low-lying roads and never cross flooded streets. Residents should charge devices, secure belongings, and be prepared to move to higher ground if needed.
Area schools and commuters should monitor updates as rapid water rises could disrupt travel on highways like I-85, US-1, and NC-87. Flooding is most likely along smaller creeks near Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Albemarle. This event follows an unusually wet July for the region.
The Flood Watch is expected to end by early Thursday, but additional advisories may follow if storms persist. Stay alert for further warnings overnight and check weather updates frequently.
