Flood Warning Issued As North Carolina River Rises to 45 Feet
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Several rivers across North Carolina remain flooded on Thursday, including one river that was measured at 45 feet, amid torrential rains that have battered the East Coast for days.
The flooding threat across the region could persist into the weekend as slow-moving thunderstorms continue to dump rain on the region, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski told Newsweek.
Why It Matters
This week's flood warnings mark the latest chapter in a period of intense rainstorms that have affected North Carolina, as well as much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Earlier in the week, heavy rain from Tropical Depression Chantal caused rivers to rise rapidly and flooding roads. The National Weather Service (NWS) has continued to monitor river levels and issue alerts as water moves downstream, with warnings covering both minor and moderate flood threats across several counties. Residents are reminded that flooding can become life-threatening, especially for drivers entering flooded roadways
What to Know
Flood warnings were in place for numerous rivers across North Carolina, including the Cape Fear River south of Fayetteville.
The flooded Cape Fear River is seen on September 20, 2018, in Lillington, North Carolina.
The flooded Cape Fear River is seen on September 20, 2018, in Lillington, North Carolina.
Joe Raedle/Getty
Authorities urged North Carolinians to avoid flooded roads and heed safety warnings. The agency further cautioned against walking near swollen riverbanks and emphasized the unpredictability and risks associated with rising water.
Cape Fear River flooding
Among the flooding rivers is the Cape Fear River at William O'Huske Lock and Dam 3, which was measured at 45.5 feet on Thursday morning. The floods will impact parts of Cumberland and Bladen counties.
"At 45.0 feet, Flood waters will affect lowlands along the east bank of the river with some minor overflow along the west bank," the flood warning said.
Flood stage occurs when the river reaches 42 feet. It will fall to 42 feet on Friday evening, the warning said. However, the river will then rise again to a crest of 43.5 feet on Saturday afternoon.
Haw River flooding
The Haw River in Alamance County recorded a stage of 21.5 feet at 8:45 a.m. EDT Thursday, exceeding the flood stage of 18.0 feet.
The NWS forecast indicated the river would fall below flood stage late Thursday evening. At these heights, significant overflow on the right bank opposite the water treatment plant and flooding of Red Slide Park and Lang Street was expected.
The Haw River also flooded near Bynum in Chatham County. Minor flooding began as the river reached a stage of 10.8 feet at 9:16 a.m. EDT, nearing the flood stage of 11.0 feet.
The river was forecast to crest at 11.6 feet Thursday evening, with floodwaters spreading to 400 feet across, inundating pastureland and woodlands near the banks. Water levels were forecast to recede just after midnight.
Lumber River flooding
Farther south, the Lumber River near Lumberton continued rising following sustained rainfall.
At 9:50 a.m. EDT, its stage was 15.8 feet, above the minor flood stage of 13.0 feet. The river was forecast to reach a moderate flood crest of 16.4 feet Friday morning. Flood impacts included worsening conditions in the Pines and Coxs Pond regions, road flooding, and potential risks to businesses near the river.
What People Are Saying
NWS Wilmington in a flood warning about the Cape Fear River: "Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas."
NWS Raleigh in a hazardous weather outlook: "Scattered thunderstorms are expected again Friday. While coverage will be less than the last few days, heavy rainfall and isolated instances of flash flooding are still possible, especially in urban areas and where excessive rainfall has already occurred. A few storms could also become strong to severe, with damaging wind gusts the main threat."
What Happens Next
River levels are forecast to gradually recede across affected areas over the coming days if rainfall subsides. Continued rainfall or new storms could prolong or worsen flooding conditions, while subsiding water will still pose risks near riverbanks and in low-lying zones.
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