Severe Weather Potential | Eastern North Carolina Now

News release:

    Good Morning to all:

    Update on the weather for tonight and tomorrow morning. We hope everyone has signed up for Hyper-Reach or has some other warning system for their cell phones and home phone as they might need them tonight. It looks like the early morning hours (4:00am through 8:00am) will have the potential to produce some thunderstorms with a few possibly reaching the severe level. Storms that come into the area after daylight heating tend to be less severe in intensity, but this could be a very slow moving storm front and has the potential to dump two to three inches of rain in a very short time frame. However, recent history reminds us that anytime we have a severe thunderstorm a tornado is a possibility.

    Our Hyper-Reach system and several other similar systems are just one means of you receiving the notification at three in the morning that might wake you up and provide some warning. Please remember the importance of your family actually rehearsing your Family Emergency Plan.

    Heavy rains could cause ponding of water on roadways or poorly maintained ditch drainage to backup into the roadways and become a possible hydroplaning situation. Situational and Weather Awareness could be needed in the morning. "Slowdown and Survive" is a slogan we have not used in a while, but is always applicable in weather events. Never stop on the roadway surface unless you have no other options during a weather event, always keep your vehicle visible (lights on, flashers on; when parked along the side of the roadway) and unless absolutely necessary do not leave your vehicle (people are very vulnerable to another vehicle striking them).

    First Responders know the hazards of leaving the safety of their equipment to render aid and perform their duties when people don't slowdown or pay attention as they are directed around or past an incident. I do want to remind all First Responders keep your turn out gear clean so the reflective properties of the gear work and warn others of your presence on the scene. If the situation does not require turnout gear to be worn by the responders then appropriate reflective clothing should be worn by each responder. This is just a reminder to help keep everybody safe and provide visible identification!

    We will keep you informed if there are any changes in the weather outlook.

    Have a Great Day!

    John Pack

    Coordinator, Beaufort County Emergency Services

     1420 Highland Drive
     Washington, NC 27889
     (252)946-2046 Office   •   (252) 975-6802 Fax   •   john.pack@co.beaufort.nc.us