A major concern for many counties is flooding, especially flooding near some of our bigger rivers.
With all big rain events, officials look for rivers to crest, which is the highest stage or level of a flood wave as it passes a particular point.
In 2016, Hurricane Matthew brought flooding concerns to many parts of the state, leaving homes and businesses damaged nearly two years later.
And with Hurricane Florence, officials are planning for a similar outcome.
Where the rain gauges sit as of Sunday morning, the crest for Hurricane Matthew is set higher than the projected crests for the Tar and Neuse rivers for Florence.
Latest Update on river crests during #Florence vs. #Matthew #ncwx pic.twitter.com/tGEeKcyr2Q
— Don Schwenneker (@BigweatherABC11) September 18, 2018
On Wednesday, those numbers held true.
The bigger concerns were the Cape Fear and Little rivers.
The Cape Fear River at Fayetteville reached the flood stage early in the week and rose to roughly 61.5' on early Wednesday morning, 2.6' above Matthew.
Latest Update on river crests during #Florence vs. #Matthew #ncwx pic.twitter.com/eoS4ylGxew
— Don Schwenneker (@BigweatherABC11) September 18, 2018
It is expected to reach below flood levels by Sunday.
However, the Cape Fear River at Lillington has been receding for at least 24 hours and is expected to reach below flood levels by Thursday.
As a precaution, residents within one mile of banks of both rivers were evacuated Saturday afternoon.
Person Street Bridge has been closed because of flooding; waters have spilled onto the Person Street, Cedar Creek intersection.
Here's the flooding forecast until Tuesday/Wednesday (these may change):
Cape Fear/Little River
Fayetteville and Manchester
10am Update on Rivers in our area. #ncwx pic.twitter.com/2be7wP6vKy
— Don Schwenneker (@BigweatherABC11) September 18, 2018
Lillington and Lumberton
10am Update on Rivers in our area. #ncwx pic.twitter.com/NmzmIpKzQv
— Don Schwenneker (@BigweatherABC11) September 18, 2018
Neuse River
Smithfield and Goldsboro
10am Update on Rivers in our area. #ncwx pic.twitter.com/0F7FiYRdm8
— Don Schwenneker (@BigweatherABC11) September 18, 2018
Haw River/Deep River
Bynum area and Louisburg
10am Update on Rivers in our area. #ncwx pic.twitter.com/Jp37rK32MC
— Don Schwenneker (@BigweatherABC11) September 18, 2018
What's next
Rivers will continue or start to recede. Once those levels are safe enough for officials to access them, they will begin to assess the damage like the conditions of roads and bridges.