Flash Flood Watch in effect through this evening...
Today
Rain. Rain may be heavy at times. Windy with highs in the upper 40s. North winds around 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
The Flood Warning continues for the Haw River at Haw River. * At 4:45 am Thursday the stage was 18.4 feet. * Flood stage is 18.0 feet. * Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * Forecast... the river will continue rising to near 21.1 feet this afternoon. The river will fall below flood stage late tomorrow. * Impact... at 21.0 feet... only minor flooding immediately along the river banks is expected.
The following are the latest observations and 8am forecast stages for the next several days...
fld observed forecast 8 am location stg stg day time Fri Sat sun Mon Tue
Haw River Haw River 18 18.4 Thu 05 am 15.7 9.5 6.0 4.4
To convert the above stage readings to above mean sea level (ft), add the following to the stage:
haw river: 471.69
Flash Flood Watch
Statement as of 4:11 AM EST on November 12, 2009
... Flash Flood Watch now in effect through this evening...
The Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for
* a portion of central North Carolina... including the following areas... Alamance... Anson... Chatham... Davidson... Forsyth... Guilford... Hoke... Lee... Montgomery... Moore... Randolph... Richmond... Scotland and Stanly.
* Through this evening
* moderate to heavy rain will re-develop across central NC late this morning into the afternoon hours... especially along and north of Highway 64. An additional 1 to 2 inches of rain will be possible... with locally higher amounts. With the ground already saturated from the widespread 3 to 5 inches of rain that has fallen during the past 36 hours... any additional rainfall will runoff causing flooding.
* Locations most prone to flooding include South Buffalo creek in Greensboro... Abbotts Creek in Lexington... and tributaries of the Haw River in Alamance and Chatham counties.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Most flash flood deaths occur in vehicles. Do not drive into areas where water covers the roadway... and never drive around police barricades.
Flooding is a very dangerous situation. People are urged to monitor forecasts and conditions... and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.
Wind Advisory
Statement as of 4:30 AM EST on November 12, 2009
... Wind Advisory remains in effect until 6 am EST Friday...
An intensifying low pressure system along the North Carolina coast and high pressure to the north will produce strong winds across central North Carolina through Friday morning. Sustained northerly winds of 20 to 30 mph with frequent gusts between 30 and 40 mph are expected. Sporadic wind gusts up to 45 mph will be possible.
Gusty winds combined with saturated soils from recent heavy rainfall will lead to downed trees and scattered power outages today... similar to what was reported across central North Carolina on Wednesday.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Wind Advisory means that sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph or gusts above 45 mph are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult... especially for high profile vehicles. Drivers should use extra caution. Be alert for possible branches and other tree debris in the roadway.
Public Information Statement
Statement as of 6:37 am EST on November 12, 2009
The following are unofficial peak wind gusts from ASOS and AWOS sites across central North Carolina during the 24 hour period beginning at 600 am Wednesday and ending at 600 am this morning.