The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Bladen County through Sunday afternoon because of the potential for up to 10 inches of rain from Hurricane Matthew. The watch was issued shortly before midnight Thursday and includes portions of southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina.
A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.
Grounds are expected to become saturated into the weekend in Bladen County as periods of heavy rainfall moves onshore along the N.C. coast and continues well inland, the National Weather Service said. Also, downed trees from strong and gusty winds Saturday and Sunday could lead to power outages and impassable roads.
Bladen County had not been placed under a tropical storm warning by the National Weather Service as of 1 a.m. Friday, although areas in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties were under the storm warning.
At 1 a.m. Friday, Matthew was about 500 miles south of Wilmington with winds reaching 130 mph. The storm was moving northwest at 13 mph.
Matthew is expected to make its closest approach to southeast North Carolina Saturday and into Saturday night, the forecast says.
About Author
