Flooding concerns remain into weekend, multiple rivers rise to major, moderate flood stages

By WRAL Severe Weather Center

A cold, persistent rain that has been falling across central North Carolina for several days finally tapered off Friday afternoon, but the WRAL Severe Weather Center will closely monitor river levels over the weekend.

A cluster of flood watches and winter weather advisories expired Friday morning for counties north of Durham, but some counties southeast of Raleigh, including Johnston and Cumberland, remain under a flood warning due to rising river levels.

The Lumber River at Lumberton and the Tar River at Greenville are in major flooding stages.

Meanwhile, the Neuse River near Kinston and Goldsboro is in the moderate flood stage. The Tar River near Tarboro and parts of the Cape Fear are also in the moderate flooding stage.

WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said the Neuse River is at minor flood stage in Smithfield, and the greenway there is likely to be flooded through the weekend.

You can see all river flooding stages and risks here.

There will still be some ponding and puddles on the roads Friday, so drivers should use caution during their commutes.

After the rain tapers off Friday, it will be a cloudy, cold afternoon with a few light showers possible in our southeastern counties.

Sunshine and 60s ahead

The weekend will be cold, with highs in the mid to upper 40s, but sunny and dry.

A real change comes later next week, when temperatures could reach 60 degrees by Tuesday and stay in the 60s midweek. There will be a chance for rain Monday, but the work week will primarily be dry, with plenty of sunshine.