Heavy rain from Tropical Storm Debby ponded on roads and trees fell Thursday morning, making visibility difficult and creating dangerous driving conditions in central North Carolina.

Flash flooding warnings have also been issued for Wake, Durham, Orange and several other counties until 2 p.m. Thursday. WRAL meteorologists are advising people to stay at home.

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6 p.m.: Zebulon police are closing the Gannon ramp onto I-264 West because of high water.

1 p.m.: On Thursday morning, a dam collapsed near Siple Avenue in Cumberland County, south of Hope Mills. The road is closed from Pinewood Terrace to Galax Drive. WRAL News captured drone footage on Thursday afternoon of the aftermath.

12:30 p.m.: Interstate 40 West has two of five lanes closed near Rock Quarry Road in Wake County, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Crews expect to clear the area around 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Noon: A dam collapsed near Siple Avenue in Cumberland County, south of Hope Mills. The road is closed from Pinewood Terrace to Galax Drive.

According to a spokesperson from the state Department of Transportation, there are currently 170 lane closures or incidents due to Debby on state-maintained roads.

The National Weather Service reports roads are flooded in Harnett County, including Chalybeate Springs Road, West Williams Street and Dry Creek Road.

11:30 a.m.: The National Weather Service reports Crabtree Creek is continuing to rise with water beginning to inundate nearby areas, including Raleigh greenways.

10:30 a.m.: Major highways in and near the Triangle are blocked by water, trees or debris. A list of all incidents can be found at DriveNC.gov.

  • Wake County: Old Creedmoor Road closed in both directions near Patrie Place due to downed tree.
    • Wake County: Mangum Dairy Road closed in both directions west of Wake Forest near Garfe Sharron Road.
      • Orange County: Debris has closed two lanes of Interstate 85 southbound near Exit 170 for U.S. 70 in Hillsborough.
        • Durham County: Lowell Road is closed in both directions between White Horse Run and Vista Del Rie Drive due to tree in power lines.
          • Cumberland County: N.C. Highway 210 closed in both directions in Cumberland County in Fayetteville near Rowan Street.

            9:00 a.m.: Crashes are increasing as more drivers get on the roads. A crash has closed two lanes on I-40 West near Exit 306 for U.S. Highway 70 near Garner and Clayton.

            Due to high water, one lane of I-95 remains blocked at Exit 44 near Hope Mills in Cumberland County.

            Smaller roads were also impacted. Carl Williamson Road was blocked near Grasshopper Road near Knightdale due to a downed tree.

            8:30 a.m.: Some roads are partially flooded in Fayetteville, and barricades are up for drivers at multiple locations. You should never drive through floodwaters.

            The town of Hope Mills shared the following closures due to high water. High water signs have also been posted as well.

            • Hunting Ridge Road: portions of Hunting Ridge near the intersection of Rockfish Road are flooded.
              • Rockfish Road: Rockfish Road is still passable with care.
                • Deaver Circle: Deaver Circle has been barricaded. Please avoid this area.
                  • Sommer Drive: Sommer Drive has been barricaded. Please avoid this area.

                    7:30 a.m.: Trees are falling in Raleigh, another reason drivers should stay home. Downed trees were reported on:

                    • Glenwood Avenue at Granville Drive
                      • 7500 Ebeneezer Church Road in Raleigh
                        • 10601 Creedmoor Road in north Raleigh
                          • Coronado Drive in Raleigh
                            • Silvers Road, near Penny Road and Lake Wheeler Road in Raleigh
                              • Riley Hill Road and Mable Point Drive, near Wendell
                                • Riley Hill Road and Edgemont Road, near Wendell

                                  In Chapel Hill, the following traffic alerts were in place:

                                  • Raleigh Road & Country Club Road – traffic signal without power
                                    • Country Club Road & Gimghoul Road – traffic signal without power
                                      • Laurel Hill Road & Roundhill Road – tree, power lines down

                                        7:15 a.m.: One lane has opened onInterstate 95 at Exit 44 for Claude Lee Road near Hope Mills in Cumberland County. Both lanes were closed earlier Thursday morning as rain fell and water rose from Tropical Storm Debby. Drivers were forced to leave the interstate at Claude Lee Road and take it to Airport Road to return to I-95 Business South.

                                        6 a.m.: In Raleigh, southbound lanes of Atlantic Avenue were closed just before 6 a.m. where a vehicle was stuck in high water.

                                        "This is a dangerous, torrential downpour," WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said. She was in the WRAL Storm Tracker in Wilson County investigating damage from an overnight tornado.

                                        Turn around, don't drown: Don't drive through floodwaters

                                        The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has a life-saving message: "Turn Around; Don't Drown." This slogan is especially important during a tropical storm or hurricane and immediately afterward.

                                        Historically, most deaths and injuries related to hurricanes happen inland, when people attempt to drive through flooded roads.

                                        "It may be hard to tell how much water is on the road," WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

                                        Even a shallow amount of water can be dangerous. Dirty floodwater can hide washed-out sections of road, making depth perception difficult.

                                        Additionally, strong currents can easily sweep away any vehicle, jeopardizing not only the driver but also rescuers.

                                        The North Carolina Department of Transportation offered these tips for driving in wet weather:

                                        • Avoid driving through flooded areas, even if they seem shallow. Just one foot of water can float many vehicles, while two feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and pick-ups.
                                          • After driving through a puddle, tap your brake pedal to help dry your brake rotors.
                                            • If your car starts to hydroplane, take your foot off the gas, apply the brakes in a steady, slightly firm manner without stomping and steer in the direction of the skid. If you have a manual transmission, push in the clutch and let the car slow down on its own.
                                              • If the rain is extremely heavy, pull over in a safe area in a parking lot or on the roadside with your emergency flashers on, away from any trees or other tall objects, and wait for the weather to improve.
                                                • Allow more travel time.
                                                  • Turn on your low beam headlights and use the defroster to increase visibility.
                                                    • If possible, stay in the middle lane where the road tends to be higher.
                                                      • Reduce your speed by at least five to 10 miles per hour and allow at least twice the normal following distance.
                                                        • Signal for turns ahead of time and brake early as you near a stop. Remember, roads are slickest in the first 10 to 15 minutes, especially if it has not rained for a while.
                                                          • If a traffic signal is knocked out by a storm, regard the intersection as a four-way stop. If two or more vehicles arrive at the same time, the car to the right has the right of way and after signaling, may move in any direction. If two facing vehicles approach the intersection at the same time, any car traveling straight ahead or turning right has the right of way.