Hurricane Sally Could Bring Flooding, Landslides To NC

NORTH CAROLINA — As Hurricane Sally began its slow assault along the Gulf Coast Tuesday, North Carolina emergency officials warned the storm would dump as much as 5 inches of rain in the Charlotte metro region by the weekend.

Sally is expected to make landfall Wednesday morning near the Mississippi/Alabama border, according to forecasters. As of 8 a.m. Sept. 15, the storm was located about 65 miles east of the mouth of the Mississippi River, moving northwest at about 2 mph, with wind speeds of about 85 mph.

The storm is expected to lead to "historic flooding" Wednesday along and inland of the central Gulf Coast from the western Florida panhandle to southeastern Mississippi, the National Hurricane Center said Tuesday morning. "Widespread moderate to major flooding on area rivers is forecast along and just inland of the central Gulf Coast," it said. "Significant flash and urban flooding, as well as widespread minor to moderate river flooding is likely across inland portions of Mississippi, Alabama, northern Georgia and the western Carolinas through the week."

The impact of the storm in North Carolina will likely be felt through Saturday, according to state emergency officials.

"The remnants of Sally will bring the potential for heavy rain, flooding and landslides to NC Thursday and into early Saturday," North Carolina Emergency Management said. "The extent and the magnitude of the flooding threat remains uncertain, but the potential exists for significant localized flooding. Even relatively small changes to the forecast storm track and timing will alter rainfall amounts and other potential impacts to the region."

Here is the National Weather Service forecast through Sunday

Today (Sept. 15)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. East northeast wind around 7 mph.
Wednesday (Sept. 16)
A 20 percent chance of rain after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Northeast wind around 8 mph.
Wednesday Night
A slight chance of rain before 9pm, then a chance of showers, mainly after 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 66. East northeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thursday (Sept. 17)
Showers likely, mainly after 11am. The rain could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night
Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday (Sept. 18)
Showers likely before 9am, then rain likely, mainly between 9am and 3pm. The rain could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night
A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Saturday (Sept. 19)
Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Sunday (Sept. 20)
Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.