Governor Roy Cooper and State Public Safety officials are making preparations for the potential of heavy amounts of rain in many parts of the state due to Subtropical Storm Alberto. The storm is expected to transition to a tropical storm later today or tomorrow.
"Forecasters are telling us Alberto will bring heavy rain to North Carolina late tonight through the middle of the week," Governor Cooper warns. "With the ground already saturated in many parts of the state, we are urging people to be prepared for possible flash flooding, hazardous road conditions and river flooding."
Much of the State is currently under a Flash Flood Watch through Tuesday morning. State Emergency Management meteorologists predict rainfall totals to reach 2"-to-5" with locally higher amounts possibly reaching 8" along the eastern and southern slopes of the mountains over the next few days. Heavy rain will begin to spread in from the south late tonight and continue throughout the day on Monday, especially across eastern NC and the southern mountains. Heavy rain will continue across western NC on Tuesday with the period of most intense rain across the mountains Tuesday afternoon.
Possible river flooding is anticipated especially for the French Broad, Tuckasegee and Little Tennessee Rivers. Minor flooding is also forecast along the Roanoke River and Cape Fear in Wilmington. Rainfall could lead to landslides across western NC where some of the greatest accumulations are expected. Isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
While this will not be a major wind event for the state, occasional strong gusts are possible in the mountains Monday through Wednesday. These gusts along with saturated soils could lead to isolated downed trees and power lines.
Coastal impacts to NC will be limited, however seas of 4'-to-7’ will be possible late tonight and through Tuesday off North Carolina's coast of NC. This could lead to hazardous wave conditions for small boats.
Western parts of the state that experienced mudslides and localized flooding from heavy rains last weekend are bracing for this next round of weather, including Polk County where one woman lost her life in a mudslide a little more than a week ago.
"Polk County Emergency Management suggested a voluntary evacuation in specific areas of concern," Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry said. "Everyone should pay close attention to local forecasts and heed warnings from local emergency management and law enforcement."
Polk County listed the following areas as a heightened concern:
- Highway 176 from North Wall Road to 3910 Highway 176
- Warrior Drive from Baker Drive to Meadowlark Drive
- Meadowlark Drive and intersecting roads
- Walcot Farm Lane
- Miller Mountain Road
- Rixhaven Subdivision
- Green River Cove Road
- Holbert Cove Road
- Page Farm Road (recently added)
- Brookwood Subdivision (recently added)
Polk County officials are requesting that residents call 828-333-9017 to notify them of their decision to voluntarily evacuate or remain at their residence. Emergency Management said this will help to make sure local residents are safe.
A Red Cross shelter will be available to evacuees starting on Sunday at 5 p.m. The shelter will be located at the Polk County Middle School at 321 Wolverine Trail, Mill Spring.
Information is also available at ReadyNC.org and at the ReadyNC mobile app which can be downloaded for free.
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