Severe thunderstorms pounded Cabarrus County on Tuesday evening, Aug. 11, triggering a flash flood warning and dumping 2 to 4 inches of rain on the southeastern portion of the county in a span of two to three hours.
The National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C., issued the first severe thunderstorm warning at 5:37 p.m. for Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Union counties, according to the Charlotte Observer. A second warning followed at 5:46 p.m. covering northwestern Cabarrus County, calling for wind gusts up to 60 mph and nickel-sized hail, according to the Independent Tribune. Storms were moving southeast at 25 mph.
The county faced multiple severe thunderstorm warnings through the evening, with alerts expiring at approximately 6 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., WBTV reported. WBTV's weather team said the storm system could also produce an isolated tornado across the Charlotte region.
Flash flooding hits southeastern Cabarrus
As heavy rain continued, the NWS escalated the threat. The agency issued an updated flash flood warning at 8:22 p.m., in effect until 9:30 p.m., according to the Herald Sun. The heaviest rainfall, 2 to 4 inches within two to three hours, fell over the southeastern portion of the county from Georgeville to Midland, according to NWS flash flood warning text.
After the flash flood warning expired around 9:30 p.m., the NWS issued a flood advisory at 9:39 p.m. that remained in effect until 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Second major storm in two days
Tuesday's system was a separate event from the storm that struck Cabarrus County on Monday, Aug. 10, which also brought 60 mph winds, small hail and downed power lines across the area. The back-to-back storms hit the night before Cabarrus County Schools students returned to class for the first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Safety guidance
The NWS advises residents to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building during severe thunderstorms and to avoid windows and doors.
Duke Energy advises residents to stay away from fallen or sagging power lines, treat all downed lines as energized and dangerous, and keep children and pets away from areas where lines may have fallen. Residents can report power line hazards by calling 800-228-8485.
