02/07/2025
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People in Bladen County are being told to brace for potentially life-threatening and catastrophic flooding this week as Tropical Storm Debby moves closer to southeastern North Carolina.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch Tuesday morning for Bladen County until 5 p.m. On Monday afternoon, a flood watch was issued through Friday morning. Bladen County Schools announced the system will be closed effective Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. and also will be out Wednesday and Thursday.

A watch means conditions may be favorable for the event while a warning means the event is occurring or about to occur.

As of 5 a.m. Tuesday, Debby was about 290 miles southwest of Wilmington or about 210 miles southwest of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, moving northeast at 7 miles per hour. Winds reached 45 mph.

The flood watch area also includes Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Columbus and Robeson counties along with several counties in northeast South Carolina. The latest most likely forecast precipitation amounts are 10 to 15 inches over much of the area, with isolated amounts of 15 to 20 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a statewide state of emergency Monday afternoon, which includes temporarily suspending weighing vehicles used to transport livestock, poultry, feed and crops in the state.

Rainfall from a very slow moving Debby will bring widespread flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service. The flash flooding will be particularly catastrophic in low lying, flood prone areas as
well as urban locales and places with poor drainage.

As it moves closer to southeast North Carolina, heavy rain will overspread the area. The very slow progression of the storm could result in catastrophic amounts of rainfall across northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina, which would result in life-threatening flash flooding, including moderate to major river flooding.

The National Weather Service cautions that rivers and streams may overwhelmingly overflow their banks with deep moving water. Creeks and ditches will become severely flooded and contain strong currents.

Flood waters may enter numerous structures. Road scours or complete road failure is likely in many locations, along with the potential for sinkholes. Many streets and parking lots will flood, and may be impacted by swift, flowing water. Numerous road and low-lying bridge closures are likely with some weakened or washed away. Driving conditions will be very dangerous.

Sonny Jones
Author: Sonny Jones

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