Severe weather triggers heavy rain, downed trees, and flood threats across central NC: Live Updates
Last updated: Thursday, July 23, 2026 4:11PM GMT
Watch Eyewitness News, First Alert Weather, and original programming.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- ABC11 is tracking multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected to move across central North Carolina through Friday, bringing the threat of heavy rain, flash flooding and isolated storm impacts.
A Flood Watch remains in effect as some communities could see 2 to 4 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts exceeding 5 inches. Heavy downpours may lead to flooding in low-lying areas, along creeks and streams, and on roadways.
Stay with ABC11 throughout the day for the latest weather alerts, flooding reports, power outages and forecast updates.
Saturated ground raises risk of falling trees in Wake County, fire department says
Heavy rain is creating new concerns across Wake County, where saturated ground is making trees more likely to fall.
The Northern Wake Fire Department recently responded after a tree fell onto a home. Officials say days of rain have left the soil unable to firmly support some trees, increasing the risk of them toppling with little warning.
Firefighters urge residents to watch for signs of trouble, including leaning trees, exposed roots and cracked limbs, and to have potentially hazardous trees evaluated.
"Sometimes the danger isn't the storm itself, but what it leaves behind," the department said.
2 hours and 19 minutes ago
Traffic Alert: Tree blocking lanes in Raleigh
Large tree is causing traffic slowdowns on Spring Forest Road near Shanda Drive in Raleigh
Police on the scene waiting for crews to remove it. Drivers should use caution in that area.
Tree damages power equipment, leaves hundreds without electricity in Rocky Mount
More than 500 customers were without power Thursday morning after a tree fell onto power lines in Rocky Mount, causing extensive damage to utility equipment.
According to Rocky Mount Energy Resources, the incident occurred in the 300 block of Carolina Avenue. The fallen tree damaged the electrical system, including three broken crossarms and a damaged transformer, knocking a main feeder out of service.
A tree fell onto power lines in Rocky Mount on July 23, 2026.
Approximately 520 customers were affected by the outage.
At 8:58 a.m., officials said the incident had been isolated and partial power restoration had been completed.
Crews remain on scene working to repair the damaged equipment and restore service to remaining customers.
2 hours and 39 minutes ago
Flooding closes Central Avenue Extension in Butner
