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ASHEBORO N.C. – The National Weather Service Office in Raleigh has issued a Tornado Watch admit warnings of the threat of severe weather expected today.
The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, has placed most of central North Carolina under an Enhanced Risk of severe weather today.
An Enhanced Risk indicates there is a larger area with widespread chances of low-to-moderate intensity severe thunderstorms.
Local forecasters at the National Weather Service Office in Raleigh say that they are expecting a line of severe storms to move across NC between 3pm and 11pm with widespread damaging winds, isolated tornados, and heavy rain causing minor flooding in some areas.
As of 2 pm this afternoon a squall line (a group of storms arranged in a line) was crossing the TN / NC border. That line of storms has already triggered multiple severe thunderstorm warnings, tornado warnings, and flash flood warnings along its path.
UPDATE 8/7/23 5:30PM – The squall line that has been making its way across North Carolina this afternoon has spawned multiple Tornado Warnings, including near Charlotte, NC.
As the squall line is approaching Randolph County, the NWS has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the entire county.
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Warning National Weather Service Raleigh NC 527 PM EDT Mon Aug 7 2023 The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Forsyth County in central North Carolina... Davidson County in central North Carolina... Montgomery County in central North Carolina... Randolph County in central North Carolina... Stanly County in central North Carolina... Guilford County in central North Carolina... * Until 630 PM EDT. * At 526 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Germanton to near Downtown Concord, moving east at 50 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. * Locations impacted include... Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Asheboro, Lexington, Albemarle, Randleman, Troy, Badin Lake and North Carolina Zoo. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM EDT for central North Carolina. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement agency. They will send your report to the National Weather Service office in Raleigh.
UPDATE 8/7/23 8PM – Emergency crews are busy across the county working to clear or marked downed trees and power lines as well as notify NCDOT of blocked roadways.
Several trees were reported to have fallen on homes but at this time we are unaware of any injuries.
The NC Dept of Public Safety is reporting 9,529 customers without power across the county as of 7:45pm.
Several stoplights were also reported out in Asheboro and Ramseur. Officials would like to remind drivers that a non-functional traffic light turns the intersection into an all-way stop.
The National Weather Service in Raleigh issued a Tornado Warning for East central Randolph County at 6:27 pm, as the squall line was leaving the county heading towards Siler City. While Liberty did see numerous trees down and intense winds at this time there have been no confirmed reports of a tornado touching down in the county.
Residents are strongly encouraged to go indoors or seek shelter as storms arrive, (“When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors”), and to stay aware of local watches and warnings.
