Tropical Storm Elsa could bring flooding to the Triangle on Thursday. What to expect
Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to drench the Triangle as it moves across central North Carolina on Thursday.
Raleigh, Garner and Wake Forest are among the places where a flash flood warning has been issued through 5:30 p.m. as forecasters urge people in those areas to move to higher ground. A warning means the threat is imminent.
Wake, Durham Orange and other counties in the region are under a flash flood watch until 6 p.m. as the storm could dump up to 5 inches of rain on some areas, forecasters said. A watch is issued when there’s a potential flash floods.
An “urban and small stream flood advisory” in effect for central Wake and southwestern Johnston counties was extended through 4:30 p.m., and a tornado warning watch has expired for Johnston, Nash and other counties to the south and east where wind gusts were expected to reach 60 mph, the National Weather Service said.
As Elsa moves over central North Carolina, rain is possible throughout the day, with the heaviest totals near U.S. Highway 1.
“Periods of locally heavy rainfall will be possible, with an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain expected from the Triangle northeastward to the NC/VA state line,” the NWS said. “Areas which receive excessive rainfall will be susceptible to flash flooding. Low-lying, poor drainage, and normally flood prone areas could become flooded. Roads in these areas could become flooded and impassable.”
There’s also a risk of isolated tornadoes and “gusty winds,” which could bring power outages to the region, according to ABC11, The News & Observer’s media partner.
Tropical Storm Elsa was downgraded from a hurricane before it made landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday.
As of 2 p.m. Thursday, the storm was moving through North Carolina and was roughly 25 miles southwest of Raleigh. Elsa was heading to the northeast with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.
“On the forecast track, Elsa will continue to move over North Carolina today, pass near the eastern mid-Atlantic states by tonight, and move near or over the northeastern United States on Friday and Friday night,” forecasters said.
The storm could gain strength starting Thursday night as it moves toward the Northeast.
With Elsa out of the Triangle, Raleigh is expected to see mostly sunny conditions on Friday, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms, according to forecasters.
This story was originally published July 8, 2021 at 8:04 AM.
