Rain brings slight chance of severe weather

An approaching cold front brought more rain to central North Carolina late Monday, creating a slight risk for severe weather, WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said.

Hoke and Cumberland counties each saw 3 to 6 inches of rain Monday. Raleigh-Durham International Airport saw about 3 inches of rain.

In Brunswick County, officials declared a state of emergency after heavy rains and flooding.

Authorities in Onslow County say an 18-month-old drowned after wandering out of a mobile home and into a ditch filled with water from recent heavy rains.

The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office said the incident occurred around 1 p.m. Monday on N.C. 53 on the south side of the county.

Sheriff’s Lt. Tommie Thomas said an initial report said the child walked out of the home and fell into a ditch at the edge of the yard. Thomas said authorities think the toddler was washed through a culvert under the highway to the other side of the road.

Thomas said an investigation is continuing.

Slight risk of severe weather

Fishel said there is a slight risk that some of the storms could become strong or severe, bringing damaging winds and an isolated tornado.

Once the front passes after midnight, the threat will diminish and cooler, drier air will move in, Fishel said.

The forecast highs for the next seven days will barely get above the 80-degree mark.

Tree knocks out power to Raleigh neighborhood

It was unclear if heavy rain on Monday helped knock down a tree on Lake Boone Trail in Raleigh.

The tree hit a transformer around 5 a.m., causing a power outage to the neighborhood, authorities said.

Progress Energy crews restored power by 11 a.m.