Severe January weather usually means ice and snow, but a potent system heading toward our area could bring heavy rains, hurricane-force wind gusts and potentially even tornadoes.
The National Weather Service this morning placed southeastern North Carolina under an enhanced risk of severe weather. Columbuscountynews.com Meteorologist Christopher Cawley is advising that the unusual system needs to be monitored closely for the potential for dangerous impacts. While rain accumulations ere down slightly with today’s briefing, the possibility of severe weather is still very high.
The storm system is more reminiscent of a spring front that those typically seen in the dead of winter.
“This is one forecast I hope is a world-class bust,” Cawley said in a social media post detailing the storm. “I truly hope it fizzles out and we dodge this bullet.”
The main concerns for the storm, forecasters said, are gusty winds of 55 mile per hour or more, along with damaging straightline winds and the potential for spin-up tornadoes. Flash flooding is still possible as well, although the rainfall accumulations have dropped somewhat. One to two inches of rain are expected in an 18-hour period, which could lead to nuisance flooding in some areas still full from last month’s heavy storms.
The system is expected to move in Tuesday morning, with the severe weather threat increasing in the afternoon and overnight hours.
Lake Waccamaw’s Board of commissioners postponed their meeting until Wednesday due to the possible storm threat.
Cawley said the storm – and its possible effects –deserve attention. He noted that temperatures Tuesday night will be in the 40s, with cooler nights on the way.
“Tree and power line damage and subsequent power outages are almost a certainty if that worst-case scenario unfolds,” he said. “The temps will fall into the lower 40s overnight Tuesday night after the front moves through. If you lose power, it might be out a while, and therefore no heat.”
To report power outages, call the following numbers:
- Duke Energy Progress, 1-800-419-6356
- Brunswick Electric Membership, 1-800-682-5309
- Four County EMC, 1-888-368-7289
- Lumbee River EMC, 1-800-683-5571
Other resources can be found on the ReadyNC.gov website.
