NC Weather: Severe storms bring heavy rain, flash-flood threats across central NC
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Following a hot day, severe storms popped up throughout the evening in central North Carolina. More than 100 lightning strikes were recorded in a 15-minute span in the Sandhills. Heavy rain, strong winds and dazzling lightning strikes began late Monday in southern Wake County.
At midnight, Duke Energy reported that more than 35,000 people across the state were without power. including an estimated 5,000 in and around Wake County.
An ABC11 crew captured lighting illuminating the sky on US 1 heading toward Raleigh.
Several counties are under severe thunderstorm warnings. Harnett, Lee, and Moore counties were under a flash flood warning until 2 a.m. Those areas have seen up to 2 inches of rain and could see 2 more before storms move out. Cumberland County was placed under a flash flood warning until 3 a.m.
Pea-sized hail was seen in Pittsboro around 10 p.m. Trees were reported down on power lines in Siler City and Spivey's Corner.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the area until 11 p.m.
A strong storm was passing through Carthage and showing some rotation. A tornado warning has not been issued for the area. Trees were reported down in the area.
The entire area is also under a level 3 enhanced risk for severe storms. That level 3 risk is something our area only sees an average of twice a year.
The First Alert Weather team said the timeframe for severe storms is between 6 p.m. Monday and 2 a.m.
Latest Weather Forecast (11 p.m.)
Tuesday. It's possible that most areas remain rain free through 7 p.m. Storms are forecast to be in the Triangle by 9 p.m. The I-95 corridor could see ferocious storms by 11 p.m. See timeline maps here.
The biggest threats look to be damaging wind gusts and hail although there could be an isolated tornado or two as well. In areas north and west of the Triangle, conditions are ripe for hail measuring 1.5-2 inches to develop. Hail that size can cause some serious damage to cars caught in the crosshairs.
Watch vs warning; Here's the difference and what they mean when it comes to severe weather
After Monday, a few storms could move through on Tuesday as the associated front moves through the area. The rest of the week is looking rather nice, with temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s and low rain chances into the weekend.
"What I can't do is a cancellation."
Weather causing delays and cancellations at RDU
Heavy thunderstorms are grounding thousands of flights at major hubs like New York, Chicago and Atlanta. At Raleigh Durham International Airport, most of the delays and cancellations are flights in and out of New York.
"There were no flights in New York so I couldn't get to New York and couldn't get to Paris. Now I'm flying today I hope unless the storms come here," said Alan Delong, a traveler at RDU.
"My new flight leaves at about six tonight if it leaves. It should take me about an extra four or five hours to get back to Denver because I have a layover now," said RDU traveler Joel Spector.
"I am traveling to New York for work. My flight was delayed but not by much, just 30 minutes. As it stands now I'm okay. I can do 30 minutes. I can even do an hour. What I can't do is a cancellation," said RDU traveler Symone Young.
"It's not that big a deal. It's just an hour. I'm not pressed about it at all. We'll just hang out," said RDU traveler Bridgette Doherty.
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