Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 9, NWS Raleigh, NC

July 12, 2026Wake County, North Carolina

NWS Raleigh, NC issued this flash flood warning at Jul 12, 2026, 9:11 PM EDT for Wake County, North Carolina. It was in force for 2 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 12, 2026, 9:11 PM EDT (01:11 UTC)
Expired
Jul 12, 2026, 11:20 PM EDT
In force
2 hr
Issued by
NWS Raleigh, NC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Wake County, NC

The radar

The Raleigh/Durham radar (KRAX), 19 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:15 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 12, 9:15 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD3 Se Raleigh, NCPigeon House Creek at Fenton Street went into flood. The creek is still rising.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 4 minutes after it went out.

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

Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC (KGSO), launched 00:00Z, 1.2 hours before the alert went out and 120 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 00:00Z on 2026-07-13Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 302 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, Greensboro/Hi Pt, NC at 00:00Z on 2026-07-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 36 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
302 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-33 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
944 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
20 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
36 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
82 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

399 
WGUS52 KRAH 130111
FFWRAH
NCC183-130415-
/O.NEW.KRAH.FF.W.0009.260713T0111Z-260713T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
911 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Central Wake County in central North Carolina...

* Until 1215 AM EDT.

* At 911 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2.5 inches of 
  rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
  shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  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...
  Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Knightdale and William B Umstead State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3579 7846 3574 7850 3571 7860 3571 7868
      3576 7876 3583 7875 3589 7874 3592 7867
      3591 7855 3586 7848

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

AK
2 follow-up statements
567 
WGUS72 KRAH 130214
FFSRAH

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1014 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

NCC183-130415-
/O.CON.KRAH.FF.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260713T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Wake NC-
1014 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1215 AM EDT MONDAY 
FOR CENTRAL WAKE COUNTY...

At 1014 PM EDT, gauge reports indicated creek and streams are rising 
in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring. Additional 
rain is not expected, though creeks and streams remain elevated and 
additional impacts may continue.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Gauges reported.

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...
  Raleigh, Cary, Garner, Knightdale and William B Umstead State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3579 7846 3574 7850 3571 7860 3571 7868
      3576 7876 3583 7875 3589 7874 3592 7867
      3591 7855 3586 7848

FLASH FLOOD...GAUGE INDICATED

$$

AK
960 
WGUS72 KRAH 130320
FFSRAH

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
1120 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

NCC183-130330-
/O.CAN.KRAH.FF.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260713T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Wake NC-
1120 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR CENTRAL WAKE COUNTY...

Flood waters have receded. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a 
threat. However, south and east of Raleigh, heavy rain is still 
occurring, where a Flash Flood Warning is still in effect. Please 
continue to heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3579 7846 3574 7850 3571 7860 3571 7868
      3576 7876 3583 7875 3589 7874 3592 7867
      3591 7855 3586 7848

$$

AK

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 Jul 12, 8:59 PM EDT, 12 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • As of 859 PM Sunday... 1) Clusters of showers and thunderstorms through this evening. Locally heavy rain possible, and a still an isolated severe wind gust is possible. New storms later in the NW? 2) Much below normal temperatures Monday, with highest rain chances confined to the west and south. 3) Heat returns midweek, followed by thunderstorm chances late in the week and weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 12, 8:59 PM EDT, 12 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
859 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...

*   Transitioning to more of a FF threat, severe threat will be on
    the wane through late evening - focus on Raleigh east and south.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
As of 859 PM Sunday...

1) Clusters of showers and thunderstorms through this evening.
Locally heavy rain possible, and a still an isolated severe wind
gust is possible. New storms later in the NW?

2) Much below normal temperatures Monday, with highest rain chances
confined to the west and south.

3) Heat returns midweek, followed by thunderstorm chances late in
the week and weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
As of 859 PM Sunday...

KEY MESSAGE 1... transitioning to more of a FF threat, severe threat
will be on the wane through late evening - focus on Raleigh east
and south.

Clusters of showers and thunderstorms through this evening.
Locally heavy rain possible, and a still an isolated severe wind
gust is possible. New storms later in the NW?

The severe threat is now confined to mainly areas around Raleigh and
to the south and east for the next couple of hours. Strong
convergence due to interesting low level boundaries are focusing on
this region. Winds have gusted to 55+ mph in some of the small wet
microbursts in the Severe thunderstorm warning areas. This threat
will be shifting south in the next few hours into
Johnston/Harnett/Wayne Counties. Expect a continued wind damage
threat with gusts to 50-60 mph and a wall of heavy rain that will
last 15-20 minutes in any one location.

The FF threat is isolated and confined mainly urban areas where the
3 inch per hour rates will produce rapid runoff. The latest hi-res
guidance suggests this FF threat may shift to the NW later tonight
into portions of the Triad with renewed convection as the main front
moves SW into that region focusing convergence there.

KEY MESSAGE 2... Much below normal temperatures Monday, with highest
rain chances confined to the west and south.

As the front settles largely S of the area by Mon, the threat for
heavy rain in training cells and convective clusters will be over
across our S, with much lower chances over our northern two-thirds.
As a CAD-like regime sets up, the presence of considerable cloud
cover (esp over the NW) to hinder heating plus a light NNE/NE low
level flow drawing lower dewpoints and more stable air into the area
will allow for a much cooler day, including highs in the 70s over
the Piedmont, around 10 to 15 degrees below normal and a welcome
respite from the very hot temps of the last several weeks. The I-95
corridor east should see highs around 80/low 80s.

KEY MESSAGE 3... Heat returns midweek, followed by thunderstorm
chances late in the week and weekend.

The front passing through the area right now should still be in
close enough proximity to central North Carolina to provide some
rain on Tuesday, although it appears there will likely be a tight
gradient between what falls along the VA/NC border (nothing) and the
NC/SC border (a good amount of rain). As the front slips farther to
the south, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday now all appear to be dry.
While Friday was previously under a SPC outlook for severe weather,
the area of concern shifted north with SPC's latest outlook. A
chance of showers and thunderstorms returns to the forecast for
Saturday and Sunday with moisture arriving from the north.

In the meantime, after a cool day on Monday, temperatures will rise
slightly on Tuesday, then the 90s return for the rest of the
forecast. The current forecast doesn't call for any daily records,
but Thursday and/or Friday could possibly approach heat advisory
criteria before the weekend precipitation brings temperatures down
slightly.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 1245 PM Sunday...

While VFR conditions prevail over the W and S parts of central NC at
this hour, patches of MVFR cigs persist from the RDU area to the N
and E. These sub-VFR cigs should continue to slowly lift and break
up over the next couple of hours, resulting in VFR conditions
areawide by 20z. At the same time, though, the chance for rain will
increase areawide during the mid to late afternoon, with scattered
storms possible mainly along and south of Hwy 64 (best chance of
thunder at FAY, lesser chance at RDU/RWI, and lower still at
INT/GSO). Brief MVFR to IFR vsbys/cigs are possible in any showers
or storms, along with sudden wind gusts over 35 mph in and near any
storms. Light rain is already falling in the INT/GSO area, and this
will continue on-and-off through 02z, while the chance for rain and
embedded storms at RDU/RWI/FAY will peak this evening, with a
decreasing but persistent threat of rain through tonight. Outside of
storms, conditions should be largely VFR from 20z through 04z, but
then thereafter, a trend to MVFR and IFR conditions is likely,
particularly after 06z and lasting through Mon morning. INT/GSO/RDU
will have the highest chance of IFR conditions (primarily low cigs)
from 07z through the end of the TAF period, while RWI/FAY should see
a trend from IFR to MVFR cigs starting around 15z. Surface winds
will be mainly from the N and NE at 10 kts or less as a weak frontal
zone settles south of the state and a relatively cool and moist
wedge-regime sets up.

Looking beyond 18z Mon, sub-VFR cigs are likely to hold through at
least mid afternoon Mon at INT/GSO/RDU, with a chance of rain
areawide and perhaps a late-day storm near FAY. Rain chances will
decrease Mon night, although patchy MVFR cigs may persist into Tue
morning. Then, mostly dry weather and VFR conditions should dominate
Tue-Fri, although storm chances may start to return by Fri.

&&

.CLIMATE...

Record High Temperatures:

July 16: KRDU: 101/1887

July 17: KRDU: 100/1887 KFAY: 102/1932

Record High Minimum Temperatures:

July 12: KGSO: 76/2011 KRDU: 78/2011 KFAY: 80/1935

July 16: KGSO: 75/2024 KRDU: 78/2024 KFAY: 78/1992

July 17: KGSO: 75/2025 KRDU: 80/1887 KFAY: 77/2019

July 18: KGSO: 76/1986 KFAY: 77/2025

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...Badgett/Green
AVIATION...Badgett/Hartfield
CLIMATE...RAH
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 12, 3:02 PM EDT, 6 hours 9 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
302 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

NCZ007>011-021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-131000-
Person-Granville-Vance-Warren-Halifax-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-
Orange-Durham-Franklin-Nash-Edgecombe-Davidson-Randolph-Chatham-Wake-
Johnston-Wilson-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee-Harnett-Wayne-Anson-
Richmond-Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson-
302 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

There is a slight risk (level 2 of 4) of excessive rainfall and a
marginal risk (level 1 of 5) of severe thunderstorms across central
North Carolina today, mainly mid-afternoon through the evening, with
the greatest risk of both hazards in areas south of Highway 64.
Heavy rainfall rates may lead to localized flooding in urban and
poor-drainage areas. The strongest thunderstorms may have gusty
winds that may blow down trees and branches.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 12, 7:58 PM EDT, 1 hour 13 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
758 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

NCZ008-025>027-041-043-130100-
Nash NC-Franklin NC-Durham NC-Wake NC-Granville NC-Wilson NC-
758 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN NASH...SOUTHERN
GRANVILLE...CENTRAL WAKE...NORTHWESTERN WILSON...SOUTHERN DURHAM AND
FRANKLIN COUNTIES THROUGH 900 PM EDT...

At 758 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles west of Nashville to 6 miles south of
Louisburg to near Wake Forest to 6 miles east of Durham. Movement was
southeast at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Nashville, Creedmoor, Louisburg, Wilson, Wake
Forest, Butner, and Zebulon.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 95 between Mile Markers 127 and 119.
 Interstate 85 between Mile Markers 174 and 188.
 Interstate 40 between Mile Markers 278 and 301.
 Interstate 440 between Mile Markers 1 and 15.
 Interstate 540 between Mile Markers 0 and 24.
 US 1 between Mile Markers 95 and 101.
 NC Highway 264 between Mile Markers 20 and 37.
 the Durham Freeway between Mile Markers 2 and 15.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Very heavy rain can be expected due to the slow movement of some of
these storms. 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 3608 7796 3573 7792 3577 7824 3582 7826
      3578 7833 3579 7845 3570 7884 3608 7896
      3615 7852
TIME...MOT...LOC 2358Z 336DEG 8KT 3600 7808 3602 7834 3603 7859 3598
7880

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

LH
Local storm report, Jul 12, 8:21 PM EDT, 50 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
821 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

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

0816 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 SSW Pilot             35.82N 78.31W
07/12/2026                   Wake               NC   911 Call Center

            Trees were reported down near the 310 block
            of East Vance Street in Zebulon.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 12, 8:34 PM EDT, 37 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
834 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

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

0822 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 WSW Pilot             35.86N 78.33W
07/12/2026                   Wake               NC   911 Call Center

            A tree was reported down along Weavers Pond
            Drive in Zebulon.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 12, 8:45 PM EDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
845 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

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

0830 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     4 SSW Pilot             35.83N 78.30W
07/12/2026                   Wake               NC   911 Call Center

            A tree was reported down near the 840 block
            of East Gannon Ave in Zebulon.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 12, 8:53 PM EDT, 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
853 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

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

0847 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 E Wendell             35.78N 78.35W
07/12/2026                   Wake               NC   911 Call Center

            Power lines were reported down along the 950
            block of Morphus Bridge Road in Wendell.

&&
Special weather statement, Jul 12, 8:57 PM EDT, 14 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Raleigh NC
857 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

NCZ089-130145-
Sampson NC-
857 PM EDT Sun Jul 12 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL SAMPSON COUNTY
THROUGH 945 PM EDT...

At 857 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Clinton, moving northeast at 5 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...
Clinton and Turkey.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3499 7841 3511 7827 3501 7815 3491 7815
      3485 7824
TIME...MOT...LOC 0057Z 219DEG 6KT 3495 7829

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

LH

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 12, 8:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHDurham, Franklin, Johnston, Nash, Wake, Wilson47 min
Jul 12, 8:43 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHHarnett, Johnston, Nash, Wake47 min
Jul 12, 8:57 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHSampson48 min
Jul 12, 9:00 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHJohnston, Wake30 min
Jul 12, 9:12 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHChatham, Harnett, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson48 min
Jul 12, 9:30 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRAHJohnston, Wake3 hr
Jul 12, 9:44 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHChatham, Cumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Sampson and 3 more46 min
Jul 12, 9:46 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRAHJohnston, Wayne, Wilson5 hr
Jul 12, 9:59 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRAHHarnett, Johnston, Wake, Wayne5 hr
Jul 12, 10:23 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHCumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Sampson, Wayne52 min
Jul 12, 10:43 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRAHCumberland, Harnett, Johnston, Sampson, Wayne4 hr
Jul 12, 10:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRAHStanly90 min
Jul 12, 11:08 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRAHChatham, Harnett, Lee3 hr
Jul 12, 11:08 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRAHJohnston, Sampson, Wayne52 min
Jul 13, 5:36 AM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHFranklin, Nash3 hr
Jul 13, 1:15 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHForsyth2 hr
Jul 13, 4:11 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHDavidson, Montgomery, Randolph, Stanly3 hr
Jul 13, 4:42 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRAHDavidson, Montgomery, Stanly3 hr
Jul 13, 5:32 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRAHAnson, Richmond4 hr
Jul 13, 7:06 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryRAHAnson, Richmond, Scotland40 min
Jul 13, 7:46 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningRAHAnson, Richmond, Scotland3 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.