RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — The Severe weather risk is high on Monday afternoon (March 16), a line packed with thunderstorms, wind gusts and even possible hail is expected to impact much of the state including the Triangle.
A Tornado Watch that now includes counties from Wake County east to the coast has been posted until 8 p.m.
“Today’s event is probably more on order of a once in five or ten year event,” said National Weather Service Meteorologist Johnathan Blaes. “We haven’t had a large number of severe weather outbreaks here in North Carolina.”
As this storm moves across the state, North Carolinians should stay alert and be prepared to take cover if severe weather develops nearby,” said Governor Josh Stein in a press release. “Our State Emergency Response Team is activated, closely monitoring conditions, and ready to respond. Please keep your phones charged and nearby for any emergency alerts and be ready to take shelter if needed.”
Storms will be moving very fast today, leaving only a short window to seek shelter. It may be necessary to maintain multiple ways to receive weather alerts throughout the day. Today’s thunderstorms and winds are capable of downing trees and producing power outages. After the storms, temperatures will rapidly fall.
Sunday, North Carolina Emergency Management activated State Emergency Response Team personnel and resources in anticipation of severe weather impacts. The State Emergency Operations Center is closely monitoring forecasts, and NC Emergency Management is prepared to deploy response assets to assist communities across the state should conditions warrant. These resources include Urban Search and Rescue Teams, hazardous materials regional response teams, statewide firefighting resources, elements of the NC Forest Service, medical response assets through the Office of EMS, and more.
“We have seen multiple tornado warnings so far today and we will continue to see the chance of severe weather throughout the day,” said NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray. “All North Carolinians need to remain weather aware today and have a plan to take action to protect your family when these storms impact your community.”
In a usual move, a number of Triangle area schools cancelled classes for the day due to the threat of severe weather.
Power companies are bracing for the potential of outages.
“The intensity (of this storm) is higher than what we usually see,” said Duke Energy spokesman Jeff Brooks. “What’s unique is the intensity of the storm is higher than we usually see.” He notes that means the impacts may be felt over a much broader areas.
The line of storms has also impacted air travel, with a ground stop at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport late Monday morning. As of midday FlightAware reported 268 delays and 362 cancellations. At RDU, there are reports of 85 delays and 67 cancellations.
Nationwide, more than 2,000 flights have been cancelled.
Authorities are also advising people to limit travel on the roads during the height of the storm and to avoid water ponding areas because their depth is uncertain.
Should a storm impact your areas, emergency officials say to find an inside room on the lowest floor to ride out the storm.
Behind the storm, forecasters are calling for major drop in temperatures with overnight lows around 32 and highs on St. Patrick’s Day around 50.
Stay with FM 92.9, AM 680 WPTF for complete Severe Weather coverage powered by RoofWerks.
Jeff Hamlin will have the latest on the storm throughout the WPTF Afternoon News starting at 3 p.m., with traffic every ten minutes from the Johnson Hyundai Traffic Center.