Muggy conditions dominate Wednesday afternoon

The eastern half of North Carolina could see some thunderstorms Wednesday as the sun sets, WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said. The National Weather Service issued a series of watches four counties east of Interstate 95 through 9 p.m.

The chances for severe weather in the Triangle are slight, Fishel said. "The cloud cover and lighter rain that we are seeing keep it cooler and stabilize the atmosphere."

Most of the central part of the state saw light rain and high humidity Wednesday afternoon, with the heaviest downpours being reported closer to the ocean.

WNCT in Greenville reported widespread flooding in Havelock and Cherry Point, where nearly 8 inches of rain had fallen by 5 p.m. Havelock Police Chief Wayne Cyrus asked residents to stay off the roads until the rain stopped.

Storms could pop up throughout the evening and even overnight, Fishel said.

Where they do, the greatest threat is damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain and localized flooding.