Tornado warning issued for Cabarrus, Stanly counties

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The National Weather Service has issued tornado warnings impacting Cabarrus and Stanly counties in North Carolina. 

Two severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and damaging winds are each moving northeast parallel to Interstate 85. 

One storm will impact portions of Albemarle, Badin Lake, Eldorado, Badin, Fish Tales Marina, Finger, and Richfield. 

A second severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado is moving northeast over Cabarrus County.

Residents of Harrisburg, Concord, Kannapolis and surrounding communities should head to a tornado safe place, including the lowest level of a sturdy structure. 

The possible tornado likely began near Interstate 485 around 1:30 p.m.

Duke Energy is reporting a concentration of power outages around Reedy Creek Park in Charlotte. Around 4,000 customers are currently without power along Plaza Road Extension, Hood Road, Rocky River Road, and Harrisburg Road.

Officials are responding to multiple reports of downed trees and powerlines in the area.

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A storm system is bringing the threat of heavy rain, strong thunderstorms and flash flooding to the Charlotte area Monday afternoon and evening, chief meteorologist Brad Panovich said. 

Panovich said the storm system moving through the Carolinas formed over the Gulf of Mexico and at one point had the potential to be the first-named tropical storm of the season. That didn’t happen, but it will still bring rain to the Southeast.

“There’s a lot of rain, there’s a little bit of wind and we will keep an eye on the small severe weather risk,” Panovich said. “I say small because in areas just east of the center, there is a low risk for some severe weather. The overall risk is relatively low. It’s not zero, but it’s pretty low.”

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Panovich said the Charlotte area has around a 5% threat for damaging winds, with a 2% threat of tornadoes. There’s almost no risk for hail during Monday’s storms, according to Panovich.

As expected, the first round of storms moved into the Charlotte metro around lunchtime. 

“Noon to 1 o’clock, I would expect the heaviest rain to move in,” Panovich said. “This will be heavy rain, flooding is probably somewhat of a concern with this as it moves in because some of these showers could cause heavy rain.”

The second round of storms is expected Monday evening.

Panovich said there’s a widespread area in the Carolinas with a 15-20% chance of flash flooding. The heavy rain rates could cause standing water and flooding Monday afternoon. 

“The excessive rainfall outlook is elevated, that’s actually higher than the severe weather risk,” Panovich said. 

The Carolina coast will be at risk for more flooding Tuesday as the system pushes east and another system follows it from the west. 

“We’re going to have a couple of days with potentially heavy rain,” Panovich said. “Some of the amounts in here, basically around 1-2 inches of rain, depending on how much it moves. What you’re looking at here is probably around 2-4 inches of rain over this area over the next five days.”