Local News - July 2003

Heavy rains fall after midnight

From staff and wire

   A flood watch was in effect for central and western North Carolina Wednesday as the remains of Tropical Depression Bill swept over the state and a tornado watch was issued for southeastern North Carolina.

Rainfall amounts of up to an inch were common, especially in the western half of the state, the National Weather Service said. Showers and thunderstorms were expected to produce heavy downpours and some possible local flooding.

The weather service warned that some thunderstorms could become severe with wind gusts of more than 60 mph and the possibility of an isolated tornado.

Susan Spake, Lincoln County’s director of emergency management, said Wednesday morning there was no evidence of flooding in the county.

The heaviest rain, she said, came after midnight when most people were at home.

“I’m just glad that whatever came, came after people were off the roads, and we didn’t have any problems,” Spake said.

Johnny Hoyle, Lincoln County’s observer for the National Weather Service, said the county had received 2.04 inches of rain as of 5 a.m. Wednesday.

The total rainfall for June in the county was 7.54 inches.

The remnants of the storm system were expected to move out to sea late Wednesday, with showers and thunderstorms remaining likely in the east.

The forecast for Lincoln County calls for intermittent rain showers through most of the day, Hoyle said. A flood watch remains in effect until late Wednesday.

Once the rain stops, Spake said it would be a good time for people to check for standing water on their property and clean clogged drains or install new storm drains.

Lincoln County health officials have been trying to get residents to cut down on standing water since mosquitoes, which may carry West Nile virus, need it for breeding.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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