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Live updates: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Durham & Chapel Hill; reports of possible tornado damage near Charlotte
Alerts
- Tornado watch in effect for Triangle and several other counties
- Severe thunderstorm warning in effect for Durham and Chapel Hill until 11:15 a.m.
- A severe thunderstorm warning is also in effect for Chatham, Lee, Moore and two other counties until 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday is a WRAL Weather Alert Day, with a rare Level 3 risk for severe storms. We have a line of strong-to-severe thunderstorms expected to impact central North Carolina from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Power outages and tornadoes will be possible as storms make their way through the state.
Here’s a minute-by-minute breakdown of everything that’s happening Wednesday.
Live updates
10:25 a.m.
A severe thunderstorm warning is now in effect for Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Orange and Person counties until 11:15 a.m. Wednesday.
10:07 a.m.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Chatham, Lee, Montgomery, Moore and Randolph counties until 10:45 a.m.
10:05 a.m.
WCNC meteorologist Brad Panovich reports possible tornado damage to our west in Union County, not far from Charlotte. The storm system is moving east toward our area.
Bad storms will be in our area by 10:30 a.m., WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner says.
10 a.m.
Wind gusts have exceeded 40 mph in the Triangle and Sandhills (43 mph at RDU and 43 mph FDU). And the worst of the storm hasn’t even happened yet.
Crews are working to repair a downed power pole in Durham on Cannon Drive and Hermine Street. WRAL News is working to learn whether this was weather-related.
9:50 a.m.
Power outages are impacting 20,069 customers across North Carolina, according to poweroutage.us.
9:30 a.m.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of Moore County until 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
9:25 a.m.
There are now 19,792 customers without power in North Carolina, according to poweroutage.us.
9:20 a.m.
WRAL meteorologists are getting reports of downed trees in Stanly County.
9 a.m.
What’s the difference between a watch and warning?
A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar, the NWS says.
If a tornado warning is issued, there is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
8:50 a.m.
There are 19,200 customers without power across North Carolina, according to poweroutage.us.
It’s now raining in Raleigh.
8:45 a.m.
The tornado warning for Forsyth County has expired.
8:19 a.m.
The first tornado warning of the day was issued for Forsyth County until 8:45 a.m. Wednesday.
7:49 a.m.
The Boone Police Department shared on Facebook photos of a flooded road.
7:45 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Wake, Durham, Johnston, Orange and several other counties until 1:15 p.m. Wednesday.
