Take cover: Residents of Sampson, Cumberland, Johnston counties under tornado warning

By WRAL Severe Weather Center

Raleigh, N.C. — A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 12 miles southeast of Fayetteville, moving northeast at 70 mph at around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Officials warn residents in the areas of Sampson County, eastern Cumberland County, Moore County and central Johnston County to take cover.

The tornado warning expires for those four counties at 1:45 p.m. The rotating thunderstorm will remain over rural areas of four counties including Vander, Spivey’s Corner, Cedar Creek, Falcon and Autryville.

Southern Pines is not including in the tornado warning.

If the storm holds together, it could move into Wayne and Chatham counties and trigger tornado warnings there.

A front moving in from the east will bring strong to severe storms into North Carolina on Thursday afternoon. Areas in central and western North Carolina are a Level 2 risk for severe storms, with damaging winds being the biggest threat.

“Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building,” the National Weather Service warns. “Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.”

Winds could gust up to 60 mph across central North Carolina, according to the National Weather Center. Residents should expect to see some damage to roofs, siding and trees from the wind.

“Straight line winds can blow down trees, power lines, and damage mobile homes and other buildings,” according to a warning from the NWS. “Seek shelter in a sturdy structure until the storm has passed. Stay away from windows as flying debris generated by damaging winds can be deadly.”

“We have low level winds that are transporting a lot of moisture from down south,” said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. “It’s going to transport it right into our area.”

Moisture moving into our area will likely trigger a tornado watch within the next hour or two, Gardner said. A tornado warning is in effect for communities south of Charlotte.

Wind damage could be a problem before the storms even move in, Maloch said. Isolated showers will also be possible.

The storms will impact central North Carolina between noon and 5 p.m., but most of the activity should be over by the evening commute. Storms could continue later along the Interstate 95 corridor, and everyone could see isolated showers lingering throughout the evening.

Up to 1 inch of rain is possible. Thursday will be a very warm day, with a high in the mid to upper 70s.

Conditions will be drier overnight and by Friday morning, with lows staying in the 50s. Friday will be a mostly sunny and breezy day, with a high around 69 degrees and winds gusting up to 25 mph.

Saturday will be partly cloudy and mainly dry, but a stray shower is possible Saturday evening and night as a weak cold front moves across the state. It will be cooler, in the mid 60s, and less breezy as well.​​​​​​

Dreamville at Dix Park this weekend should be fine, Gardner explained. If rain falls Saturday night, it shouldn’t be enough to ruin the experience for festival-goers.