ROCKINGHAM — With more rain on the way, the National Service has issued a flash flood watch for Richmond and surrounding counties.
The warning goes into effect Thursday at 10 a.m and is set to expire at 7 a.m. Friday.
Forecasters expect moderate to heavy rainfall to begin after midnight and continue all day Thursday — with a possibility of thunderstorms around midday — and into Friday, tapering off in the late afternoon.
“Rainfall of 2 to 3 inches on already saturated soils will increase the risk of flash flooding, especially where training storms develop,” the warning reads. “Rises on streams and creeks may also lead to flash flooding.”
The temperature both during the day and night will be in the upper-30s.
Highs are predicted to be in the mid- to upper-40s Friday through Sunday, with overnight lows dipping into the 20s or lower 30s.
Though cool, the weekend is predicted to be clear.
Montgomery, Moore and Stanly counties are under a winter weather advisory, and areas further north, including Randolph and Guilford counties, are under a winter storm warning, with freezing rain expected.
On Tuesday, more than 70 percent of the U.S. was covered by snow.
Brunswick County was hit with a strong tornado late Monday night, killing three people and injuring 10.
UPDATE: Richmond County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay on Thursday for all virtual and face-to-face students and staff “due to the potential for hazardous driving conditions.”
The school system will not be delivering meals, however meals will be available for pickup at Hamlet, Cordova and Ellerbe Middle Schools and the Ninth Grade Academy.
(Updated 6:10 p.m.)
