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The Roanoke-Chowan area will still see some impacts from Tropical Storm Debby, even though the center of the storm is forecasted to move across the Piedmont section of our state.

However, that doesn’t rule out the chance of heavy downpours and thunderstorms locally, today (Thursday) and Friday.

Total rainfall from the storm is now predicted between 2.5 and 3.5 inches today through Saturday. Wind gusts locally are expected as high as 25 mph Thursday and Friday.

Most all of northeastern North Carolina remains in a marginal risk of severe weather. There have been tornadoes earlier today (Thursday) in Sampson, Wilson, Edgecombe, Nash, and Granville counties. One death in Wilson County is attributed to a tornado, that also damaged homes, a school, and a church near Lucama.

The Roanoke-Chowan area also remains under a Flood Watch until 12 midnight Friday.

R-C area residents are advised to remain on alert throughout today and tonight and to be aware if they traveling to other parts of the state where the storm is expected to cause moderate to severe damage and flooding.

The following is a Hazardous Weather Update posted around 10 am today from North Carolina Emergency Management:

Debby has moved inland over South Carolina and will continue to slowly move through SC, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall to North Carolina and the potential for considerable flooding, gusty winds, tornadoes, and hazardous coastal conditions through Thursday.

Flooding and Heavy Rainfall

Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall and the potential for considerable flooding will remain possible today and tonight as heavy rainbands from Debby continue to move onshore and across the state. Additional rainfall totals of 3-7” will be possible across NC with isolated totals up to 10” possible across SE NC and the Piedmont region. A sharp gradient of rainfall is expected to develop across the mountains and with the current track the heaviest rain is generally east of the I-77 corridor.

A Moderate Risk (level 3 of 4) to High Risk (level 4 of 4) for numerous to widespread flash flooding is in place across much of central and eastern NC Thursday and Thursday night. A Flood Watch remains in effect for much of NC through Friday evening.

While rain totals are not as expected to be as great, additional moderate to heavy rainfall will remain possible on Friday especially across portions of central and eastern NC where isolated to scattered flash flooding will be possible.

Flood Warnings remain in effect for several gages across central and eastern NC where some gages could reach Moderate to Major Flood Stage today or Friday. Riverine flooding could linger into next week and will need to be monitored.

Tornadoes/Gusty Winds

The Storm Prediction Center has maintained a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) to Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for isolated to scattered severe storms today across portions of central and eastern NC. The tornado threat has increased overnight and is expected to continue throughout today and likely into tonight.

A Tornado Watch is in effect until 1 PM this afternoon for much central and eastern NC and could need to be extended and possibly expanded. Since midnight Thursday, over 20 Tornado Warnings have been issued with additional Warnings likely being needed today.

Outside of storms, gusty winds will peak today with the greatest gusts expected along the track of Debby and could reach 55 mph. Elsewhere, gusts of 35-50 mph will be possible with the strongest bands that move through. The Tropical Storm Warning has been expanded along the coast up to Ocracoke Inlet.

A Wind Advisory is in effect for most of Foothills into the Charlotte Metro until 3 PM this afternoon and may be expanded throughout the day. Gusty winds combined with saturated soils across NC today could result in downed trees and powerlines.

Coastal Flooding/Impacts

A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect for portions of the coast through Friday morning where 1-3 ft. of inundation AGL could result in flooding of lots, parks and roads along with isolated road closures expected. The greatest risk will be around times of high tide today and Friday morning.

Dangerous rip currents and localized beach erosion will also remain possible into Friday.