Thunderstorms fall on Triangle, flash flood warnings in effect. Roads closed in Durham
By Colleen Hammond and
Aaron Sánchez-Guerra
A flash flood warning was issued for parts of the Triangle and surrounding counties as thunderstorms descended on a hot day with record temperatures Tuesday afternoon.
An area including Raleigh, Wake Forest and Garner is under a flash flood warning until 8:15 p.m., potentially affecting an area with about 914,000 people,according to the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service previously issued a severe thunderstorm warnings with dangerous winds and hail for several counties along with heavy rain and lightning.
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Flash Flood Warning including Raleigh NC, Wake Forest NC and Garner NC until 8:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/gskdCrcbnv
Weather warnings that expired at 6 p.m. included nickel-sized hail and wind speeds up to 60 miles per hour in parts of Raleigh and Wake County. A weather advisory that expired at 5 p.m. warned of up winds up to 80 miles an hour in Durham and quarter-sized hail.
A 32-vehicle crash in Durham before 5 p.m. on Interstate 40 westbound closed all lanes of traffic from mile markers 274 to 276 on Tuesday as thunderstorms struck.
Over 60,000 Duke Energy customers in Durham and another 5,000 were without power in Wake County before 6 p.m. Tuesday.
All told, 62 counties, including Wake, are under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. Tuesday, according to the advisory.
POWERFUL STORM: National Weather Service said this storm that pushed through Durham on Tuesday afternoon had wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour. >>https://t.co/aRBXoSCZFqpic.twitter.com/VxZML9zlo8
The following roads in Durham have closed due to downed trees and fallen power lines, according to the Durham Police Department:
▪ Anderson Street and Cranford Road
▪ Norwood Avenue and Myers Street
▪ Morehead Avenue and Shoppers Street
▪ Hope Valley Road and West Cornwallis Road
▪ Hope Valley Road and University Drive
▪ North Driver Street and Liberty Street
▪ 1100 block of North Miami Boulevard
▪ N. Roxboro and Chateau Road
▪ 1900 block of Camden Avenue
▪ 800 block of W Club Boulevard
▪ 2500 N. Duke Street
▪ 3700 block of Wake Forest Highway
▪ 1000 block of North Hyde Park
▪ 1500 Cole Mill Road
▪ West Corporation Street and Rigsbee Avenue
▪ Indian Trail and Hillandale Road
▪ Northgate Park
Excessive heat in Raleigh, Durham
The National Weather Service had already issued more heat advisories for The Triangle on Tuesday as temperatures soar across central North Carolina this week.
An excessive heat advisory is in effect for Wake County until 7 p.m. Tuesday when the heat index could reach between 110 and 115 degrees.
A heat advisory is in effect for Durham, Orange and Chatham counties also until 7 p.m. Tuesday. The heat index there could reach 109 degrees.
The temperature was 96 at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
A postman delivers the mail as heavy rain falls in Raleigh, N.C. Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
The forecast
On Tuesday it was mostly sunny in the morning and afternoon, with a high near 98. Risk for severe storms will last between 2 and 10 p.m.. The overnight low will be around 70.
On Wednesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 89 with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m.
Here are the different warnings issued during hot weather, according to the National Weather Service:
▪ Heat Advisory – Take Action. Hot temperatures and high humidity will create a situation in which heat related illnesses are possible. A Heat Advisory is issued when heat indices are expected to reach at least 100 degrees for at least two hours.
▪ Excessive Heat Watch – Be Prepared. A prolonged period of dangerous excessive heat is possible within about 48 hours.
▪ Excessive Heat Warning – Take Action. Dangerous excessive heat is expected within about 24 hours. Hot temperatures and high humidity will create a dangerous situation in which heat related illnesses are likely. An Excessive Heat Warning is issued when heat indices are expected to reach at least 105 degrees for at least two hours per day.
An excessive heat advisory has been issued for Wake County by the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service
Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. Air conditioning is the No. 1 way to protect yourself against heat-related illness and death, according to the CDC.
If your home is not air-conditioned, spend time in public buildings that are air-conditioned. In Wake County, multiple cooling stations will be available.
Do not use a fan as your main cooling device
Stay hydrated. Drink more water than usual
Check on friends and neighbors
Limit the use of the stove, oven and other appliances that will make a home hotter
Never leave children or pets in cars.
Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is hottest
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
Monitor friends’ and loved ones’ conditions and have someone do the same for you.
Seek medical care right away if you or someone you know has symptoms of heat-related illness.
Be on the lookout for heat-related illness.
“Age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use all can play a role in whether a person can cool off enough in very hot weather,” the CDC says.
Those 65 and older, children younger than two, and people with chronic disease or mental illness are often most susceptible to heat related illness such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
Colleen Hammond is a graduate of Duquesne University from Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has previously covered breaking news, local government, the COVID-19 pandemic and racial issues for the Pittsburgh City Paper and Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
