Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 41, NWS Raleigh, NC

September 21, 2026Edgecombe County, Halifax County, Nash County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this flash flood warning at Sep 21, 2026, 8:20 PM EDT for Edgecombe County, Halifax County, Nash County, North Carolina. It was in force for 72 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Sep 21, 2026, 8:20 PM EDT (00:20 UTC)
Expired
Sep 21, 2026, 9:32 PM EDT
In force
72 min
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Edgecombe County, NC, Halifax County, NC, Nash County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 98 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:22 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Newport, NC (KMHX), launched 00:00Z, 0.3 hours before the alert went out and 168 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Newport, NC at 00:00Z on 2026-09-22Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 558 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Newport, NC at 00:00Z on 2026-09-22The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -65 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
558 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-68 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1037 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
5 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-65 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-28 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

341 
WGUS52 KRAH 220020
FFWRAH
NCC065-083-127-220315-
/O.NEW.KRAH.FF.W.0041.260922T0020Z-260922T0315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
820 PM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern Edgecombe County in central North Carolina...
  Central Halifax County in central North Carolina...
  Northeastern Nash County in central North Carolina...

* Until 1115 PM EDT.

* At 820 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain in Tillery. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen.
  Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
           drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Scotland Neck, Enfield, Whitakers, Tillery and Battleboro.

This includes the following frequently flooded locations...
NC Hwy 125 near Conoconnara Swamp.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

&&

LAT...LON 3617 7781 3620 7779 3631 7764 3632 7760
      3630 7754 3632 7744 3629 7741 3626 7741
      3624 7738 3619 7739 3619 7740 3611 7743
      3609 7745 3600 7764 3601 7776 3602 7776
      3603 7780 3608 7784 3613 7781

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

10
1 follow-up statement
535 
WGUS72 KRAH 220132
FFSRAH

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
932 PM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

NCC065-083-127-220142-
/O.CAN.KRAH.FF.W.0041.000000T0000Z-260922T0315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Edgecombe NC-Halifax NC-Nash NC-
932 PM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHWESTERN EDGECOMBE,
CENTRAL HALIFAX AND NORTHEASTERN NASH COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended. Flash flooding is no longer expected to
pose a threat. However, a flood advisory remains in effect for the
warned area and light to moderate rain continues. Please continue to
heed remaining road closures and use caution where water may be
lingering on area roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3617 7781 3620 7779 3631 7764 3632 7760
      3630 7754 3632 7744 3629 7741 3626 7741
      3624 7738 3619 7739 3619 7740 3611 7743
      3609 7745 3600 7764 3601 7776 3602 7776
      3603 7780 3608 7784 3613 7781

$$

10

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Sep 21, 3:28 PM EDT, 4 hours 52 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • As of 325 PM Monday... 1) Potential for strong storms with heavy downpours today across mainly the north. 2) Additional localized heavy rain possible areawide on Tuesday. 3) Cold air damming will bring much below normal temperatures during mid to late week.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 21, 3:28 PM EDT, 4 hours 52 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
328 PM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...

* Further decreased temperatures within the CAD regime, especially
  across the Piedmont, on Tuesday through Thursday.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
As of 325 PM Monday...

1) Potential for strong storms with heavy downpours today across
mainly the north.

2) Additional localized heavy rain possible areawide on Tuesday.

3) Cold air damming will bring much below normal temperatures during
mid to late week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
As of 325 PM Monday...

KEY MESSAGE 1... Potential for strong storms with heavy downpours
today across mainly the north.

A cold front is currently analyzed over southern VA, with cool NE
flow and low stratus to its north. Ahead of the front, heating and
destabilization have occurred, with widespread temperatures in the
upper-80s to lower-90s across central NC and MLCAPE in the 1000-2000
J/kg range, highest over the NW Piedmont. Scattered cumulus has
begun to develop, with a few isolated showers already popping up
over parts of the northern and western Piedmont. The deeper
convection is located along a convergence axis over western VA/NC as
a shortwave approaches from western KY.

High-res models are in good agreement that convection will continue
to expand this afternoon, though how far SE it makes before
nocturnal stabilization is still uncertain as latest runs of the
HRRR and NAMNest keep the heaviest rain just north of our CWA. Where
storms do occur, locally excessive rainfall will be possible, with
the greatest threat near the NC/VA border. 12z HREF LPMM indicates
potential for isolated 1-3"+ amounts in those areas, which makes
sense given above-normal PW values of 1.6-2 inches and very weak
flow and shear (0-6km mean winds only around 5 kts) resulting in
very slow-moving storms and possible merging and training of cells.
Given dry antecedent conditions, think any flash flooding would be
isolated and mainly limited to urban areas.

As for the severe threat, SPC has areas from RDU north and west in a
marginal (level 1 of 5) risk today. The main threat is damaging
winds given steep low-level lapse rates and DCAPE as high as 900
J/kg over the NW Piedmont. Any severe threat should diminish after
dark.

KEY MESSAGE 2... Additional localized heavy rain possible areawide
on Tuesday.

Central NC will likely be positioned between the leading edge of the
synoptic cold front in VA, later to be established as the CAD front,
and convective outflow and/or diff heating boundary from Mon/Mon
night convection. A moderately unstable air mass with weak shear,
tall skinny CAPE, above normal PWAT, and an approaching shortwave
trough from the Ohio Valley into the Southern Appalachians will all
favor an increase in convective coverage with slow moving storms,
that may persist into the overnight period, capable of torrential
rainfall and increased flooding risk (level 2 out of 4 from WPC
Excessive Rainfall Outlook).

KEY MESSAGE 3... Cold air damming will bring much below normal
temperatures during mid to late week.

As the surface front settles S of NC, confidence is high in the
development of a robust, classical cold air damming event this week.
With an early-week rex block in place over the Upper Midwest and
Manitoba/Ontario, mid level energy will undercut the blocking high,
crossing IN/OH before deepening to a low over the Mid Atlantic
region during the mid-late week. This will keep the surface frontal
zone pinned to our S and SE, with steady advection of cool and low-
dewpoint surface air from a fairly strong and anchored surface high
centered over Quebec. This high will weaken as it slowly retrogrades
to the WSW late Thu into Fri, drifting into the N Great Lakes and S
Ontario in response to what is expected to be strong coastal
cyclogenesis just off the Mid Atlantic and Northeast coast by
Fri/Sat, but the circulation around such a low alone should maintain
the wedge regime and low level CAA through at least Fri, despite the
likelihood of further drying aloft potentially eroding much of the
CAD stratus by late in the day.

The result will be multiple days of high temps 10-15 deg F below
normal, including highs from the Triangle to the N and W in the 60s
to around 70 each day Wed through Fri. These temps will be further
held down by copious cloud cover and widespread overrunning rain,
driven in large part by moist isentropic upglide focused at 295K-
305K from Wed morning through Thu night. In addition to the cool
days, we're likely to see a few nighttime lows in the 40s near the
VA border Thu night through Sat night. Rain chances are expected to
dwindle Fri and remain low into the weekend, as low-level stability
decreases with the weakening and retrograding surface ridge. But the
potential for a baggy mid level trough or shear axis holding across
the region along with a persistent low level flow from the N or NNW
around the coastal low should result in highs remaining at least a
category below normal Sat/Sun. Given that we've seen above to much
above-normal temps for all but a couple of days so far this month,
several days of below to much-below normal temps will be a welcome
respite for many.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 230 PM Monday...

Through 18Z Tuesday: A cold front is currently draped across
southern VA, keeping the MVFR stratus pinned to our north. In the
warm and unstable air mass ahead of it over central NC, visible
satellite shows scattered cumulus beginning to develop, with a few
showers already popping up over the northern and western Piedmont.
Showers and storms are expected to increase in coverage later this
afternoon across mainly the northern Piedmont, with the best chance
from about 21z to 02z. Precipitation chances are greatest at
INT/GSO, followed by RDU, then RWI, and lastly FAY. Brief MVFR or
IFR conditions and gusty erratic winds will be possible with any
storms.

Expect widespread IFR/LIFR ceilings and MVFR/IFR visibilities to
spread in from north to south overnight tonight as cool moist NE
flow sets in behind the front. Isolated showers or light
rain/drizzle could also linger into the overnight hours across the
far north. While visibilities will improve through the morning,
ceilings will be slow to lift, reaching MVFR in most places by late
morning or early afternoon, but likely remaining IFR at INT/GSO
through the end of the TAF period.

Outlook: Unsettled weather may persist under a CAD-regime developing
Tuesday-Wednesday, where periods of sub-VFR stratus and fog may
exist into late week, especially each early morning. Dry weather and
VFR should return once the CAD erodes, by Friday or Saturday.

&&

.RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Danco/AVS/Hartfield
AVIATION...Danco
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 21, 2:30 AM EDT, 17 hours 50 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
230 AM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

NCZ007>010-021>026-038>041-073>076-220900-
Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-
Durham-Franklin-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake-Stanly-Montgomery-
Moore-Lee-
230 AM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

There is a Marginal (level 1 of 5) for severe thunderstorms across
the northern and western Piedmont today, with the highest chances
between 3 PM and 11 PM. Damaging straight line winds will be the
primary threat.

There is also a Marginal (level 1 of 4) risk for excessive rainfall
today. Slow moving storms producing high rainfall rates may lead to
localized flooding, especially in urban and poor drainage areas.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

There is a Marginal (level 1 of 4) risk for excessive rainfall once
again on Tuesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

NCZ011-027-028-042-043-077-078-083>086-088-089-220900-
Halifax-Nash-Edgecombe-Johnston-Wilson-Harnett-Wayne-Anson-Richmond-
Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson-
230 AM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

There is a Marginal (level 1 of 4) risk for excessive rainfall once
on Tuesday. Localized flooding is possible, especially in urban areas
and locations with poor drainage.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 21, 6:37 PM EDT, 1 hour 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
637 PM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

NCZ039-212330-
Randolph NC-
637 PM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHERN RANDOLPH COUNTY THROUGH
730 PM EDT...

At 637 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Asheboro, moving north at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
High Point, Asheboro, Randleman, Archdale, Trinity, Liberty, Ramseur,
Franklinville, Staley, and Randleman Regional Reservior Marina.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 85 between Mile Markers 106 and 112.
 Interstate 73 between Mile Markers 71 and 88.
 Interstate 74 between Mile Markers 77 and 79.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Very heavy rain can be expected due to the slow movement of this
storm. Prolonged heavy rain will result in ponding of water on
roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of
creeks and streams. Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra
caution to avoid hydroplaning.

&&

LAT...LON 3592 8004 3590 7954 3579 7954 3567 7970
      3563 8006
TIME...MOT...LOC 2237Z 186DEG 7KT 3577 7981

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

10
Local storm report, Sep 21, 6:50 PM EDT, 1 hour 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
650 PM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0530 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 SW Sedge Garden       36.04N 80.19W
09/21/2026                   Forsyth            NC   Utility Company

            Trees down causing power outage from damage
            to equipment.

&&

GIH
Local storm report, Sep 21, 7:45 PM EDT, 35 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
745 PM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0600 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 SSW Carpenter         35.77N 78.90W
09/21/2026                   Wake               NC   Utility Company

            Trees down causing power outage from damage
            to equipment.

&&

GIH
Local storm report, Sep 21, 8:02 PM EDT, 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
802 PM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0625 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 NNW Franklinville     35.78N 79.71W
09/21/2026                   Randolph           NC   Public

            Tree in roadway on Carl Allred Rd. blocking
            both lanes of travel.

&&

GIH
Local storm report, Sep 21, 8:12 PM EDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
812 PM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0636 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 NE Hillsborough       36.09N 79.08W
09/21/2026                   Orange             NC   Utility Company

            Trees down causing power outages from damage
            to equipment.

&&

GIH
Local storm report, Sep 21, 8:17 PM EDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
817 PM EDT Mon Sep 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0555 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 ENE Winston-Salem     36.12N 80.21W
09/21/2026                   Forsyth            NC   Utility Company

            Trees down causing power outages due to
            damage to equipment.

&&

GIH

The office that day

Everything else NWS Raleigh, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 21, 8:07 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHEdgecombe, Halifax, Nash3 hr
Sep 21, 10:05 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHFranklin, Johnston, Nash, Wake, Wilson115 min
Sep 22, 4:35 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHAnson55 min
Sep 22, 5:11 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHAnson49 min
Sep 22, 5:30 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHAnson, Richmond3 hr
Sep 22, 7:28 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHHarnett, Johnston, Wake3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in North Carolina, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.