Severe thunderstorms, flooding may hit Triangle this week, NWS warns

Scattered showers may turn into severe thunderstorms across the Triangle and other parts of central North Carolina on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Two rounds of storms are expected to pass through the region Wednesday afternoon into Thursday, said Chrissy Anderson, a meteorologist at the NWS Raleigh office.

The first round will bring scattered showers and storms, while more storms and heavier rainfall will follow, she said.

Portions of the state face “a slight risk of severe thunderstorms,” Anderson said.

The NWS is still working on a precise forecast, but Anderson said the earliest storms could arrive around noon Wednesday and persist overnight.

“There will probably be a few severe thunderstorms,” she said. “And then we can’t rule out tornadoes, or hail, or strong gusts of wind associated with those strong thunderstorms.”

Flooding possible

Flooding may also occur, Anderson said. Floods are among the most deadly weather hazards, and most flood deaths occur in cars, according to the NWS.

Portions of the state — from Durham and Chatham counties down to the South Carolina border — are expected to see excessive rainfall, putting the areas at an elevated risk for floods and flash floods, she added.

But residents in other parts of the Triangle, especially in urban areas and cities, should still be wary of floods.

“Raleigh floods pretty easily,” Anderson said.

She advised Triangle residents to have a plan in case of a power outage or a tornado warning, with a safe interior space ready for shelter if the latter occurs.

Be wary of trees, which may be knocked over, and use extreme caution if you must drive, Anderson said.

“Heavy rain will reduce visibility, and of course, in some areas the roads will flood and people will hydroplane because they’re not slowing down,” she said. “So if you need to drive ... slow down, be cautious.”

The storms should leave the region by Friday morning, Anderson said.

This story was originally published March 22, 2022 at 11:08 AM.