Search
The FOX Weather App Learn More
Fox Weather App on an iPhone, Fox Weather logo overlapping
Fox Weather live
Weather News
Published Updated

Storm that flooded parts of North Carolina moves toward Northeast

Rainfall reports from the suburbs of Wilmington reached between 3.72 and 7.93 inches of rain as a deep layer of moisture interacted with very unstable air over the region.

By Angeli Gabriel , Scott Sistek , Steven Yablonski Source FOX Weather
A costal low-pressure system is bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and a rip current risk up and down the Eastern Seaboard this weekend. 04:23

Coastal low bringing wet weather to East Coast this weekend

A costal low-pressure system is bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and a rip current risk up and down the Eastern Seaboard this weekend.

WILMINGTON, N.C. – A strong coastal low that led to flooding in the Wilmington, North Carolina, area Friday is starting its track northward, and bringing heavy rains and gusty winds to the Northeast by Saturday.

Rainfall reports from the suburbs of Wilmington reached between 3 and 8 inches as a deep layer of moisture interacted with very unstable air over the region. It's a setup that produced rainfall rates of 3 inches per hour, similar to land-falling tropical systems, according to the National Weather Service.

Torrential rains from a developing low pressure center off the Atlantic Coast is triggering significant flash flooding in southeastern North Carolina Friday morning. 02:24

Significant flooding ongoing in coastal North Carolina

Torrential rains from a developing low pressure center off the Atlantic Coast is triggering significant flash flooding in southeastern North Carolina Friday morning.

Leland, North Carolina, reported 7.93 inches of rain on Friday, while 3.72 inches fell since midnight at the Wilmington International Airport. Just over 2 inches of that amount was received in 6 hours.  

7 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FLASH FLOODS

The Brunswick County Sheriff's office said some water rescues were conducted in Leland, with some homes and businesses reporting water inside. North Brunswick High School reported standing water a few inches deep inside the building, according to the NWS.

Leland town officials were asking everyone to stay home if they can. 

"All area roads should be considered dangerous," city officials said.

  • Flash Flooding in North Carolina
    Image 1 of 13

    Heavy rains fall in Wilmington, NC area on May 19, 2023. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office)

  • Coastal low brings street flooding to Wilmington NC
    Image 2 of 13

    Heavy rains fall in Wilmington, NC area on May 19, 2023. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office)

  • Car surrounded by floodwater on Friday, May 19, 2023.
    Image 3 of 13

    Car surrounded by floodwater on Friday, May 19, 2023. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office)

  • Coastal low brings street flooding to Wilmington NC
    Image 4 of 13

    Heavy rains fall in Wilmington, NC area on May 19, 2023. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office)

  • Coastal low brings street flooding to Wilmington NC
    Image 5 of 13

    Heavy rains fall in Wilmington, NC area on May 19, 2023. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office)

  • Flash Flooding in North Carolina
    Image 6 of 13

    Heavy rains fall in Wilmington, NC area on May 19, 2023. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office)

  • Flash Flooding in North Carolina
    Image 7 of 13

    Heavy rains fall in Wilmington, NC area on May 19, 2023. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office)

  • Flash Flooding in North Carolina
    Image 8 of 13

    Heavy rains fall in Wilmington, NC area on May 19, 2023. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office)

  • Flash Flooding in North Carolina
    Image 9 of 13

    Heavy rains fall in Wilmington, NC area on May 19, 2023. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office)

  • Flash Flooding in North Carolina
    Image 10 of 13

    Heavy rains fall in Wilmington, NC area on May 19, 2023. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office)

  • Flash Flooding in North Carolina
    Image 11 of 13

    Heavy rains fall in Wilmington, NC area on May 19, 2023. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office)

  • Flash Flooding in North Carolina
    Image 12 of 13

    Heavy rains fall in Wilmington, NC area on May 19, 2023. (Brunswick County Sheriff's Office)

  • Coastal low brings street flooding to Wilmington NC
    Image 13 of 13

    Heavy rains fall in Wilmington, NC area on May 19, 2023. (Mark Sudduth)

Flash flooding happened throughout the Wilmington area, where many neighborhood roads and parts of the interstate were washed out.

Heavy rains continued Friday along the North Carolina coast as the storm system moves north.

A coastal low will develop along the East Coast this weekend and will ruin beach plans up and down the coast.
(FOX Weather)

 

Storm to affect much of the Atlantic Beaches this weekend

In addition to the flooding rains, the coastal low was expected to bring gusty winds, rough surf and dangerous rip currents to the region.

FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin said that while water temperatures are on the comfortable side along the coast in the Southeast, thunderstorms are possible through the weekend, so it’s best to stay out of the water.

The rip current risk along the East Coast.
(FOX Weather)

 

"With thunderstorm chances being so high and the winds that we’re anticipating as we move into the weekend, we’re going to have to be concerned about beach erosion and also some dangerous rip currents," Merwin added.

DRAMATIC VIDEO SHOWS RESCUE OF FATHER, SON PULLED OFFSHORE BY POWERFUL RIP CURRENT IN FLORIDA

The coastal storm is also expected to bring gusty winds to the area. 

The wind gust forecast for the Northeast U.S.
(FOX Weather)

 

The storm will bring showers to the I-95 corridor in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Saturday, then merge with an approaching cold front late Saturday. That will likely produce steady rains in the Northeast on Saturday night into early Sunday before some clearing later in the day. 

Tags
Loading...