Flood fears spread to Carolinas as rain pounds the South
Published 12:48 am Wednesday, May 24, 2017
- Tree trimmers begin removing branches from a tree that fell on a home after a severe storm passed through the area causing heavy damage to several houses Tuesday evening, May 23, 2017, on Wilmington Island, Ga. The threat of flooding continues across several southern states as heavy rain soaked the area and prompted new flood watches in the Carolinas while a massive storm system swept eastward. (Josh Galemore/Savannah Morning News via AP)
The Associated Press
ATLANTA — The threat of flooding continues across several Southern states as heavy rain soaked the area and prompted new flood watches in the Carolinas while a massive storm system swept eastward.
The National Weather Service said flash flood watches Tuesday extended from southeast Louisiana across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and a sliver of southern Virginia.
Forecasters said the slow-moving front would produce locally heavy rain along the Gulf Coast and in several states in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
The flood fears come as the ground is already saturated from heavy rains. Montgomery, Alabama, saw more than 8 inches of rain Saturday, and neighboring counties got more than 6 inches.
The Latest: Sampson County reports damages in 2 areas
By The Associated Press
The Latest on severe weather in North Carolina (all times local):
8:10 p.m.
A spokesman for Sampson County says multiple structures have been damaged after what’s believed to be a tornado touched down.
Spokesman Richard Carr says the town of Autryville and the Bearskin community suffered property damage from the storm on Tuesday. Carr said there was “substantial” damage to the Autryville Fire Department.
Earlier, Sampson County Emergency Management said the fire department was destroyed.
Car said one minor injury has been reported. He also said emergency personnel were assessing the storm’s aftermath.
In eastern North Carolina, officials in Sampson County say a tornado has destroyed a fire department.
The Fayetteville Observer reports that Sampson County Emergency Management said the Autryville Fire Department was destroyed by a tornado Tuesday. Reports indicate the roof of the fire station was ripped off the building, and all but one of the trucks are covered with rubble.
Assistant County Manager Susan Holder said there were “multiple touchdowns.” Additional reports indicate there was damage at a mobile home park near Autryville, which is 70 miles south of Raleigh.
The National Weather Service also reported property damage from thunderstorms in Robeson County.
According to the weather service, two barns were damaged from high winds on a rural road in Robeson County.
