Through 730 PM EST...rain and showers are taking a northeast track and affecting the coastal counties and eastern Columbus County. Rainfall amounts of one half inch or more is possible in this area. The rainfall rate has been averaging up to one half inch per hour in the affected counties. With prolonged rainfall...roadside ditches could fill and spill onto roadways. Do not drive into areas where water covers the roadway or drive around police barricades.
Forecast for New Hanover
Updated: 6:00 PM EST on November 11, 2009
Wind Advisory in effect until 5 am EST Thursday...
Flood Watch in effect through late Thursday night...
Tonight
Rain. Lows in the upper 50s. North winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
Thursday
Rain likely. Breezy with highs in the lower 60s. North winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Rain likely...mainly in the evening. Windy. Near steady temperature in the mid 50s. North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain. Breezy with highs in the mid 60s. North winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
Mostly cloudy in the evening...then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s...except in the upper 50s at the beaches. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
... Flood Watch remains in effect through late Thursday night...
The Flood Watch continues for
* a portion of southeast North Carolina... including the following areas... Bladen... Brunswick... Columbus... New Hanover... Pender and Robeson.
* Through late Thursday night.
* Low pressure continues to consolidate off the Carolina coast this afternoon. This area of low pressure will slowly move north through Thursday morning.
* Rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches have been common across the area since the rain began on Tuesday. An additional 1 to 2 inches will be common through Thursday morning. However... higher amounts are possible... especially along the North Carolina coast.
Moderate rain will sometimes be heavy into Thursday morning. The prolonged nature of the rain will continue to pose a concern for flooding. River levels will continue to rise and a few of the rivers may exceed flood stage late in the week. The rivers most likely to flood include the Northeast Cape fear.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
Wind Advisory
Statement as of 3:15 PM EST on November 11, 2009
... Wind Advisory remains in effect until 5 am EST Thursday...
Low pressure is consolidating off the Carolina coast this afternoon. This area of low pressure will strengthen as it moves slowly north along the coast through Thursday morning. Strong high pressure will remain centered across New England.
The pressure gradient between these two features will produce sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts near 35 mph through tonight. Winds of this magnitude may bring down a few more trees given the ground remains fully saturated and more rain is still to occur. Isolated power outages are possible.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Wind Advisory means that winds of 35 mph are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult... especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution especially on bridges and overpasses.
Rjd
Record Report
Statement as of 04:44 am EST on November 11, 2009
... Record daily maximum rainfall set at Florence SC...
a record rainfall of 0.79 inches was set at Florence SC yesterday. This breaks the old record of 0.61 set in 1987.
Local Storm Report
11/11/2009 1254 PM
Wilmington, New Hanover County.
Flood, reported by NWS employee.
4 to 6 inches of water covering more than 1 Lane at the intersection of Pine Grove Road and Masonboro loop Road