Heavy late-afternoon storms dumped intense rain across central North Carolina on Tuesday, triggering a flood advisory for parts of the Piedmont and turning the evening drive into a soggy slog. The fast-hitting downpours left streets waterlogged and sent drivers scrambling for alternate routes as local officials warned that low-lying neighborhoods and poor-drainage corridors were most at risk.
The National Weather Service office in Raleigh issued the advisory at 3:29 p.m. Tuesday and said it would remain in effect until 5:30 p.m., covering Davidson, Forsyth and Guilford counties. The agency warned that “flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected” and that minor flooding on streets and in poor-drainage areas was likely, according to the Raleigh News & Observer.
Where The Advisory Hit Hardest
The advisory singled out parts of the Triad, naming Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point among places likely to see urban and small-stream flooding. It also flagged marinas and lakes as vulnerable to runoff, as detailed by LocalConditions. Doppler radar showed roughly 1 to 2 inches of rain had already fallen in some spots, with another 0.5 to 1.5 inches expected in the advisory area.
NWS Safety Reminders
According to the National Weather Service, even six inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and about a foot of rushing water can carry away most cars. The agency repeated its familiar “Turn Around, Do not Drown” warning and urged drivers to avoid trying to cross flooded roadways.
What To Do If You See Flooding
Officials urged residents in low-lying or flood-prone areas to move to higher ground and, when it is safe, to report observed flooding to local emergency services so reports can be relayed to meteorologists, according to the Raleigh News & Observer. If trapped by moving water, authorities said to seek the highest possible point and call 911.
Forecasters cautioned that additional pockets of heavy rain could redevelop through the evening and advised residents to keep an eye on local forecasts. Updates and maps are posted by the NWS Raleigh office online. For the latest advisories, check NWS Raleigh.
