Flood Warnings Issued; Cold Front Expected Saturday

Ahead of a cold storm expected Saturday, minor flooding was occurring along the Lumber River. Lenoir County is also under a flood warning.

Posted 7:54 p.m. Apr 11, 2008 — Updated 2:56 a.m. Apr 12, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. — Robeson and Lenoir counties were under flood warnings for the weekend as the state prepared for a cold front to move through the area on Saturday.

The National Weather Service reported minor flooding was occurring along the Lumber River around Lumberton Friday. At 7:45 p.m., the river was 13.63 feet high – just above its flood stage.

The level of river was predicted to recede slowly but stay above flood stage through Sunday.

The flood warning for Robeson expires at 8 a.m. Sunday.

In Lenoir, minor flooding was expected in lowlands along the Neuse River near Kinston on Saturday. The river was forecast to rise above its flood stage of 14 feet early and then fall by the evening.

Severe thunderstorms rolled through Cherokee and Clay counties Friday evening, dropping penny-sized hail and pushing winds over 60 mph. Some reports of wind damage and down trees were reported near Hiawassee Dam in Cherokee County.

The same storm system also moved through southern Macon County in western North Carolina.

The National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm was moving into the area that was capable of producing penny size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 miles per hour.

On Saturday expect highs in the mid 70s with cloudy skies and, in the afternoon hours, a chance of showers and perhaps storms, as the cold front moves through the state. The atmosphere ahead of the front will be moist and unstable for some showers and even some thunderstorms. This does not appear to be a widespread rain event, with some locations may not seeing any rain.

There is a slight risk of severe weather during the afternoon hours, said WRAL Meteorologist Mike Maze.

Saturday night should bring cooler temperatures with lows in the mid 40s.

Sunday will continue the cool weather with highs in the upper 50s and lows dipping into the upper 30s. Expect mostly cloudy skies with some rain possible. The forecast for Monday is much of the same with the chance of light showers.

Maze said there is a possibility of a light freeze on late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s before swinging back up to a high of 70 during the daylight hours on Wednesday.

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