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FORECAST: Heavy rain and flooding as Fred moves north
WCNC Staff, Brad Panovich, Chris Mulcahy, Brittany Van Voorhees (WCNC), KJ Jacobs, Larry Sprinkle
12:41 PM EST March 6, 2019
3:15 AM EDT August 17, 2021
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — FLOOD THREAT THIS WEEK:
Soaking rain and cooler temperatures will continue across the Carolinas as the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred moves in from the Gulf of Mexico. Fred made landfall Monday afternoon with max sustained winds of 65 mph along the Florida Panhandle, now the southeast is bracing for flooding rain and the potential for severe weather as a result.
Flooding is imminent for parts of the Carolinas including the mountains and foothills from now until Wednesday morning. In fact, a Flood Watch is in effect until 8 a.m. Wednesday. Additional alerts may be issued as rain continues to accumulate. Be aware of rising rivers and creeks due to the steady supply of rain ongoing for tonight and several rounds of rain on Tuesday.
The mountains and foothills will likely take the brunt of rainfall with 5-10 inches of rainfall and could cause mudslides. 2-4 inches of rain is expected for the South Carolina Piedmont and the Sandhills of North Carolina will see around to 1 – 3 inches.
Rain from the remnants of Fred combined with the stalled front will ramp up tonight and last until Wednesday. The risk of flash flooding will increase, especially in low-lying areas and portions of the western North Carolina foothills and mountains, where the risk of mudslides exists. Be prepared to seek higher ground if you encounter flooding during heavy rain events.
While flash flooding is the main threat over the next 72 hours, spin-up tornadoes are possible Tuesday. The risk increases during the afternoon and evening, but a quick spin-up tornado cannot be ruled out Tuesday morning.
Stay weather aware as we continue to track this developing system and be sure to download the WCNC Charlotte app for weather alerts.
Elsewhere in the tropics:
Grace is a Tropical Depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and gusts near 45 mph. The center of circulation is about 50 miles south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Grace has taken a more southerly track away from south Florida, which takes it on a trajectory towards Mexico. Grace does have the potential to strengthen into a hurricane before possible landfall Saturday.
Tropical Storm Henri formed just southeast of Bermuda Monday evening. Henri is forecast to maintain tropical storm status as it churns around the Island of Bermuda, then turn back towards the northeast without any direct land impacts.