'Serious situation': Tornado on the ground north of Rocky Mount, I-95 closed in both directions

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RALEIGH, N.C. — After 12:30 p.m. a confirmed tornado was reported north of Rocky Mount, near the Battleboro community, and WRAL News is getting reports of storm damage. Tornado warnings are in effect until 1:30 p.m. for Edgecombe, Halifax and Nash counties, and the entire state is under a Level 1 risk for severe storms Wednesday.

The best place to be during a tornado warning in your area is in a basement or lower interior room without windows, such as a closet or bathroom. People in mobile homes or cars should move into sturdier buildings before the tornado is in their area.

Live tornado updates

12:58 p.m.: Multiple trees are down across I-95 and homes have been damaged in the Rocky Mount in area. The tornado is 10 miles north of Scotland Neck and 12 miles north of Tarboro. The National Weather Service in Raleigh is sending a team out to survey the damage.

12:52 p.m.: The tornado is moving from Nash County into northern Edgecombe County, nearing Scotland Neck. The storm could be impacting Scotland Neck around 1:23 p.m. “This has not let up at all,” said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell. Someone got a photo of the tornado in Rocky Mount on Twitter.

12:45 p.m.: Interstate 95 is closed in both directions in Nash County at Mile Marker 140, Near Dortches and U.S. Highway 64, due to a downed tree. People in Gethsemane, Draughn and Scotland Neck communities need to get in a safe space, preferably the lowest level of your home without windows.

The National Weather Service is calling for up to 1 inch of hail possible.

Tornado warnings are in effect for Edgecombe, Halifax and Nash counties, and the entire state is under a Level 1 risk for severe storms Wednesday.

Just after 12:30 p.m., storm damage was confirmed in Dortches and a tornado was confirmed on the ground north of Rocky Mount.

A tornado warning has been issued for Edgecombe, Halifax and Nash counties until 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said the biggest threat Wednesday afternoon will be damaging wind gusts.

“We expect scattered storms through the evening,” she said.

It will be very warm and very muggy for the big soccer game Wednesday night in Chapel Hill, and an isolated storm will be possible.

Thursday is WRAL Weather Alert Day

Thursday will be a WRAL Weather Alert Day as the Triangle remains in a Level 1 risk for storms. Counties south of the Triangle, including Fayetteville, will be under a Level 2 risk for storms Thursday afternoon.

“We have some model disagreement as far as the timing goes,” Wilmoth said. “Some want to bring in the complex of rain/storms late in the morning. Others hold off until late afternoon and evening. If the storms arrive later in the afternoon and evening, we have a higher chance that some could be severe thanks to the heating of the afternoon.”

Damaging wind gusts will be the main threat.

We typically average 15 total days above 90 degrees at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in July. However, only 17 days into the month, we’ve already crept very close to that average with 13 days above 90. With the next several days slated to bring temps above 90, Gardner says we will break that average this week.

Improved air quality

The air quality will be a code yellow Wednesday, making it safer for people who have respiratory sensitivities.

“Overall tomorrow, our skies will be far more blue than what they’ve been over the past couple of days,” said WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze.

WRAL meteorologist Peta Sheerwood said we’ve had 10 days in our viewing area where the air quality was at a code orange or higher since April 20.

Here are some tips for staying safe during a Code Orange air quality alert:

If you do want to get outside this week, mornings are your best bet. Temperatures will be in the 70s Wednesday as you start your day and reach the 80s by 10 a.m. By the afternoon, the high will be in the mid 90s – but it will feel more like 102 degrees.

North Carolinians will be dealing with the smoke “off and on” of a while, as there are a reported 508 fires listed as “out of control” in Canada — and over 900 total fires.

Staying safe in the heat

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke pose threats in extreme heat. It’s important to stay hydrated, especially if you’re planning on spending time outdoors.

If possible, try to take breaks from the outdoors throughout the day or find a spot in the shade. If you notice your heart rate increasing significantly or you start to feel dizzy or nauseated, get to a cool place as soon as you can or find a shaded area. If you’re at the beach, it may help to put some ice or a cold beverage from the cooler on your pulse points to help cool your body down.

Sip on water slowly, and rest until the symptoms subside. Seek medical help, if necessary.

A reminder for pet owners: It is illegal to leave a dog outside without access to adequate food, water and shelter. Animals can die in the extreme heat. Consider keeping your pet inside during these dangerously hot days.

Ways to cool off with the kids

With scorching temperatures this week prompting excessive heat warnings, families will look for ways to stay cool.

Is there anything in the tropics right now?

As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, Don barely remains a tropical storm. It is expected to intensify later this week.

Don is about 700 miles west of the Azores and has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.

Don is moving toward the south-southeast near 9 mph. It is forecast to turn southward and move more slowly by Tuesday night, followed by a turn westward and then northwestward on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. On the forecast track, Don should remain over the open waters of the central Atlantic.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. The most active time is usually September through November, but it’s possible to see a hurricane make landfall any time of the year.