The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a flood watch in effect from Thursday, July 23 evening through Friday, July 24 afternoon.
The flood watch spans both coastal and inland portions of New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties, along with several neighboring counties.
Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is the primary concern. According to the weather service, "excessive rainfall may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations."
What to expect in the Wilmington area
Intermittent rounds of heavy rain could bring anywhere from 2-4 inches of rainfall across the region, with higher amounts locally possible. It will be caused by a slow-moving cold front
that will stall above the Wilmington area, the weather service said.
The hourly forecast shows a likely chance of heavier rain beginning around 2 p.m. Thursday, July 23 and running through the day on Friday, July 24.
Drivers are advised to be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize dangers of flooding.
Looking ahead: See the forecast for excessive rainfall
North Carolina weather radar
What is flash flooding?
Flash flooding usually begins within six hours, but often within three hours, of heavy rain or mass amounts of water accumulating in an area, according to the National Weather Service.
This type of flooding usually happens very quickly and catches people off guard. It can be caused by a number of things, but is often due to extremely heavy rainfall from thunderstorms.
"The intensity of the rainfall, the location and distribution of the rainfall, the land use and topography, vegetation types and growth/density, soil type, and soil water-content all determine just how quickly the flash flooding may occur, and influence where it may occur," writes the National Weather Service.
North Carolina severe weather watches and warnings
Flood watch vs. flood warning: What is the difference?
A flood watch and a flood warning are two different things. Here's the difference.
A flood watch indicates that the conditions are favorable to flooding in an area that is under a watch. These flood watches are usually issued hours and even days ahead of the weather event that could cause the flooding.
A flood warning means that the flooding that could be harmful and poses a serious threat to property and people is expected. This too can be issued hours and days ahead of time based on forecast predictions.
Anytime flooding is a risk people should use caution. Water levels can change rapidly during periods of heavy rain.
Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at ckingree@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Flood watch issued for the Wilmington area as heavy rain approaches
