Late Sunday night, the Raleigh office of the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for a swath of the central Piedmont, putting Anson, Montgomery, Richmond and Stanly counties under the gun through 2 a.m. Monday. Doppler radar showed thunderstorms had already unloaded 2 to 3 inches of rain in spots, and forecasters warned another 1 to 3 inches could stack up before the warning expires. The overnight downpours raise the risk of fast-rising creeks, flooded underpasses and water suddenly pooling across roadways.
According to the National Weather Service, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area and flash flooding was "ongoing or expected to begin shortly." Ansonville, Norwood, Oakboro, Mount Gilead, Uwharrie Haven and Lake Tillery were among the communities singled out as most at risk from the late-night soaker.
Where flooding is most likely
As reported by the Raleigh News & Observer, the warning zone covers Anson, Montgomery, Richmond and Stanly counties, with low-lying towns and lake communities flagged as especially vulnerable. Small creeks, urban drainage systems, underpasses and other poor-drainage spots can go from damp to dangerous in a hurry when storms dump intense rain, turning familiar shortcuts into surprise hazards.
Safety steps to follow
According to the National Weather Service, residents should follow the classic advice to "turn around, don't drown" when they encounter water over the road and head for higher ground if they are in low-lying or flood-prone areas. The agency notes that as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet and about 12 inches can carry away most cars, and it urges people to avoid underpasses and save 911 calls for life-threatening emergencies. In other words, this is not the night to test your SUV's swimming skills.
As the Raleigh News & Observer noted, radar and automated gauges already showed between 2 and 3 inches of rain in parts of the warned area, with forecasters eyeing the potential for additional heavy bands overnight. Local officials are urging residents and visitors in lake communities to keep an eye on National Weather Service updates and mobile emergency alerts as the storms roll through.
