03/27/2024
Spread the love

rain_radar

The equipment has been checked. Personnel have been alerted to be ready. Now, it’s just wait and see for Bladen County first responders as a pair of weather systems are expected to bring heavy rain through the weekend.

And there’s also Hurricane Joaquin out in the Atlantic Ocean, which, while not expected to come ashore in North Carolina, may still have an impact on Bladen County’s weather through early next week.

“We’re in a monitoring status,” Bladen County Emergency Services Director Bradley Kinlaw said. “We’re had calls with the National Weather Service and state officials. We’re just trying to stay on top of developments and issues that might be coming to Bladen County.

“We’re not moving anything nor opening any shelters at this time, but we are prepared to do that if (Joaquin) turns (toward land).”

The National Weather Service has extended its flood watch for Bladen County and the surrounding area until 9 p.m. Sunday. A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts.

A stalled front offshore is wrapping into an area around a slow moving upper low which is expected to bring rainfall amounts from 5 to 10 inches in the region, the National Weather Service says. Widespread flooding is possible over the next several days, particularly in low-lying and urban areas.

The forecast doesn’t factor in the Category 4 Joaquin until Saturday night and into Sunday when tropical storm conditions are possible.

In Bladen County, flooding may occur in isolated areas, but Kinlaw says it would take quite a downpour to cause major problems.

“We’re very fortunate that Bladen County is pretty resilient as far as flooding,” Kinlaw said. “It takes several inches of rain to cause any major issues as far as flooding. There might be a house here or there, or some roadways, but we have to get several inches of rain for flooding to be a major concern.”

The rain-producing systems should be out of here by Tuesday when the National Weather Service is forecasting mostly sunny skies and a high temperature of 74.

Until then, it’s time to batten down the hatches.

Share on social media using short code: https://bladencounty.org/?p=28113

About Author