Catastrophic flooding predicted along North Carolina coastline when tropical storm rolls through

(WGHP) — We’ll see mostly cloudy skies this evening with temperatures in the low 80s. A stray shower or storm can’t be ruled out this evening, but most remain dry. 

We’ll wake up to mostly cloudy skies Tuesday with temperatures in the low 70s in the morning and highs reaching the mid-80s. The southeastern portion of the Triad may begin to see the outer rainbands of Tropical Storm Debby as early as Tuesday afternoon. The chance of rain on Tuesday is 40%. 

The remainder of the work week will revolve around Tropical Storm Debby and its path. For now, expect morning temperatures in the low 70s and highs in the upper 70s and low 80s for the second half of the week. Our best chance for rain and impacts from Tropical Storm Debby will be Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The main impacts in the Triad would be isolated to scattered flooding if Tropical Storm Debby’s center of circulation moves more inland over central North Carolina.  

For now, expect rainfall totals between two to two inches with higher totals in the southeastern portion of the Piedmont Triad: Chatham, Montgomery, Randolph and Alamance Counties.

Uncertainty still remains in regard to Tropical Storm Debby’s path late in the week which means impacts to the Triad including rainfall totals will likely change over the next couple of days. 

However, based on the current forecast track of Tropical Storm Debby, the storm looks to impact coastal North Carolina early Tuesday morning and central North Carolina as early as Tuesday afternoon from Tropical Storm Debby’s outer rainbands. Impacts are expected to last through late in the week. 

One of the reasons for several days of impact has to do with the speed at which Tropical Storm Debby is expected to move. Tropical Storm Debby is forecast to continue to slow down, increasing impacts like flooding, especially in the southeastern United States near Georgia and South Carolina. Catastrophic flooding is predicted in the southeastern US, especially along the Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina coastline. 

While uncertainty remains in the exact forecast track and the amount of rainfall, the most likely impact on the Triad will be heavy rain and gusty winds. The further east the center of Tropical Storm Debby moves, the less likely we are to see impacts in the Triad and the more likely the Triangle and eastern North Carolina see impacts, including flooding, strong winds and a tornado threat. 

Be prepared for heavy rainfall, which could lead to flooding issues and gusty winds of 25 mph to 35 mph the second half of the week with the highest chance for impacts on Thursday and Friday.

This forecast is still likely to change.