Tropical Depression Sally could bring heavy rain to North Carolina. Here’s the forecast
After Tropical Depression Sally bore down on the Gulf Coast, the powerful storm has North Carolina in its path.
Remnants of Sally are expected to dump rain on western and central parts of the state, bringing the potential for flooding starting Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Eastern North Carolina could also see heavy rain as the system is forecast to move toward the Atlantic later this week.
Sally made landfall early Wednesday as a Category 2 hurricane along the Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. A forecast map shows the system will continue to move to the northeast, bringing heavy rain to several southern states.
The conditions are reaching North Carolina Thursday morning. Storms and 4 to 6 inches of rain are predicted in the western part of the state through early Friday, with up to 8 inches possible in some areas, according to the National Hurricane Center.
“Flash flooding and widespread minor river flooding is likely,” the center said.
A flash flood watch has been issued until Friday morning for western parts of the state, including Mecklenburg County, home to Charlotte.
A flash flood watch is also in effect through Friday afternoon in the Triad and Triangle. In those areas, the remnants of Sally could bring 5 inches of rain or more, predictions show.
“Potential impacts include rapid rises of water on streams and creeks, flooded roads, flooding of structures in low lying areas near streams and eventual river flooding,” the National Weather Service in Raleigh said.
Also, “a few tornadoes are possible mainly from the Raleigh area to the south and east” from midday Thursday to early Friday, forecasters say.
To the east, Sally is expected to usher in “unsettled weather” starting Thursday and stretching into Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Morehead City. Heavy rain could fall, bringing the possibility of flash flooding to some areas, forecasters say.
“Additionally, a few severe thunderstorms are possible late today and into tomorrow morning, with the potential for damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes,” the weather service wrote Thursday morning.
This story was originally published September 15, 2020 at 9:14 AM.
