Highfalls, North Carolina

... 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 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.

The following are some unofficial rainfall reports from ASOS and
AWOS sites for the ongoing rainfall event. These totals are storm
total amounts... as of 100 am Thursday morning.


Location rainfall
                              (inches)

Rdu Airport 3.88
NWS Raleigh ncsu Campus 4.68
Burlington 3.49
Fayetteville 4.34
Winston Salem 3.17
greensboro(triad Intl airport) 3.41
Rocky Mount 3.48
Chapel HIll 3.72
Goldsboro 3.39