ROCKINGHAM — Although projected rainfall totals have diminished as Tropical Storm Debby slowly moves northward, the chance for flooding remains high.
A flood watch remains in effect until 9 p.m. Friday for Richmond County, as well as Franklin, Nash, Edgecombe, Wake, Johnston, Wilson, Moore, Lee, Harnett, Wayne, Scotland, Hoke, Cumberland and Sampson counties, according to the National Weather Service’s Raleigh office.
The 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center shows much of central and eastern North Carolina can expect 6-8 inches of rain — half of what was forecast early Tuesday — with up to 10 inches possible across the Sandhills and Coastal plains counties.
Some areas in the southeastern corner of the state could see as much as 15 inches.
The forecast for Richmond County currently calls for 3-4 inches of rain overnight Wednesday into Thursday and around two inches during the day, with amounts lessening through Friday night as the storm follows a northward track.
The soaking rain, combined with wind gusts up to 40 mph, could result in downed trees and power outages in the region, especially along the Interstate 95 corridor and toward the coast. There is also potential for tornadoes east of I-95.
At 11 a.m. Tropical Storm Debby was located about 55 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, with maximum sustained winds at 60 mph.
The storm is expected to strengthen slightly before turning north sometime during the day and reaching the South Carolina coast, and then weaken as it moves inland.
The forecast shows Debby weakening to a tropical depression by late Thursday afternoon as it crosses into North Carolina near Richmond County.
