Potential flooding could impact eastern North Carolina through the weekend and into next week, Governor Roy Cooper cautioned Friday.
“Some of our communities still face the threat of flooding and I’m asking people not to let their guard down, despite the mostly clear forecast,“ Gov. Cooper said “The single most important thing to remember is don’t drive around barricades on flooded roads. As we saw on Wednesday night in Greene County, floodwaters can kill.”
While widespread rainfall isn’t expected, the Coastal Plain could see isolated showers and thunderstorms through the weekend. These storms will be spotty in nature, but capable of producing brief heavy rain over the flooded areas. The chance for rain will increase on Monday as a front crosses the state, and again later next week.
Transportation and emergency management are monitoring flood gauges for minor to major flooding that will continue, in some areas, into next week. Some of the more critical areas of concern as of Friday include Tarboro and Greenville. Officials are also closely watching the area around Kinston, due to potential impacts later next week.
Following unusually heavy rains earlier this week, local and state Emergency Management officials continue to monitor several rivers, including the Tar River in Tarboro and Greenville and the Neuse River in Goldsboro. Officials stress that towns along these rivers that are cresting and experiencing peak flood levels now or in the future will see water levels drop more slowly than they rose.
There has been improvement in the flooding conditions along the Tar River in Rocky Mount and the Neuse River in Smithfield, with flooding levels receding in these areas today; the Tar River is expected to peak Sunday in Tarboro and on Tuesday in Greenville; the Neuse River is expected to peak late next week in Kinston.
High water had closed 59 secondary routes in the central and eastern regions of the state as of 3:00 pm Friday. Seven primary routes are impassable in Edgecombe, Greene, Wayne and Wilson counties. The left lane of I-795 South in Wilson County is closed just past Exit 40, but the right lane is still in use.
I-795 North/U.S. 264 West between Exits 43 and 40 remains closed following a washout and pipe failure earlier this week. NCDOT expects to complete repairs and open the highway for travel by Monday. A marked detour is available for travelers in this area.
Transportation officials urge drivers to never drive around barricades, even if the road appears clear. Flooding can cause washouts underneath the roadway, and DOT crews will not open a closed road until it has been inspected for safety.
Emergency officials urge residents to follow these safety tips:
- Move to higher ground when flash flood warnings are issued. Don’t wait for instructions.
- Never drive into flooded areas or across flooded roads. If you cannot see the road, it may not be there.
- Do not walk through moving water. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult.
- Follow detours and obey traffic barricades that close off roads.
- Never park or camp along streams, rivers or creeks.
For the latest flooding information, download the ReadyNC mobile app and check the flood gauges nearest you. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.
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