Flooding threat is real to drivers, crops
As a steady rain soaked North Carolina Friday, several school systems announced plans to dismiss students early and emergency personnel prepared their flood response.
Posted — UpdatedIt is a response simplified, Gov. Pat McCrory said, by the updated forecast path which takes Hurricane Joaquin farther offshore and away from North Carolina.
"The good news is, it was really unpredictable when the hurricane was predicted to hit our coast. Now we have a little bit more predictability," said Gov. Pat McCrory. "That helps us a great deal in determining where to deploy and even keep our resources."
Even without Joaquin, McCrory said, there is still a risk of flooding, erosion and overwash in coastal communities.
“We’re still vulnerable to power outages because of downed trees and landslides because the drenching rains of the past week have left the ground saturated,” McCrory said.
- Be sure your emergency supplies kit has enough bottled water and non-perishable food to sustain each family member for three to seven days. Include a weather radio, flashlight, extra batteries, toiletries, change of clothes, blankets or sleeping bag, rain gear and appropriate footwear. Also include copies of important documents, such as birth certificates and insurance policies.
- Plan for your pets. Gather supplies for your pet and put them in an easily-accessible container.
- Prepare your home. Clean out gutters and clear property of debris that could damage buildings in strong winds. Supplies, such as lumber and shutters, should be purchased now, and window casings pre-drilled.
- Determine if you are in a flood plain or flood-prone area.
- Know evacuation routes for your area. Listen to local officials and evacuate as instructed.
- Stay tuned to local news for the latest advisories from the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center (NHC), as well as state and local emergency management officials.
A stalled cold front along the East Coast is interacting with an area of low pressure, helping pull moisture up from the Gulf of Mexico into the Carolinas. Parts of western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina could see between 5 and 15 inches of rain. In Raleigh and points east, totals could end up between 2 and 6 inches.
Between the rain and breezy conditions, power outages could be an issue because of downed trees or power lines. The National Weather Service on Friday morning issued a wind advisory for much of the area through 8 a.m. Saturday.
In Youngsville and Durham, WRAL viewers reported fallen trees where saturated ground weakened root systems.
The N.C. Emergency Operations Center kicked into high gear Friday morning, bringing together key personnel to monitor and respond to evolving conditions as a steady rain fell across the state.
Almost 500 vehicles and more than 1,000 people were escorted off Ocracoke Island Friday after the governor ordered a mandatory evacuation.
On Saturday, the bulk of the rain could shift westward a bit, giving the Triangle and eastern parts of the state a small break from the heaviest rain. On Sunday, however, the area of rain will likely lift back through the state, bringing more moderate to heavy rain to central and eastern parts of the state.
North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said rain over the past two weeks had already done about $9 million in damage to the state's peanut crop.
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