ROCKINGHAM — Richmond and surrounding counties are under a tornado watch until 8 p.m. Thursday.
The watch was issued by the National Weather Service at 12:45 p.m.
The Hazardous Weather Outlook from the NWS reads: “Scattered strong to severe storms are possible this afternoon into the evening. The primary severe weather threat will be damaging
winds, although a brief or isolated tornado is possible. In addition to the severe threat, windy conditions with gusts between 30 to 40 mph are expected throughout the day.”
A special weather statement issued at 1:12 p.m. says that gusty winds could “knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
“Conditions are favorable for development of a very brief, weak tornado,” the statement reads. “Be prepared to take immediate action if a tornado is sighted or a Tornado Warning is issued.”
In addition to Richmond, the watch extends across the following North Carolina counties: Anson, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly and Union.
The watch also includes the following South Carolina counties: Bamberg, Calhoun, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Kershaw, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg.
Forecasters say heavy rains associated with the storms could result in localized flooding.
