North Raleigh Today

The National Weather Service has issued an update regarding potential severe weather impacts for Central N.C., including the greater Raleigh area. According to the update, a strong storm system will bring widespread heavy rain and flooding, gusty winds, and the possibility of tornadoes.

In light of this information, the National Weather Service has provided a distinction between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A tornado watch serves as an early heads-up that tornado-producing storms may form soon. It is important for individuals to review and discuss their emergency plans, check supplies and safe rooms, and be prepared to act quickly if a warning is issued or if they suspect a tornado is approaching. On the other hand, a tornado warning indicates that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar, posing imminent danger to life and property. In such cases, individuals are advised to seek shelter immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows. If outdoors or in a mobile home or vehicle, it is crucial to move to the closest substantial shelter and protect oneself from flying debris.

Given the potential severity of the weather conditions, the safest course of action is to stay home tonight. However, if it is necessary to be out and about, several safety precautions should be followed. These include avoiding driving through flooded roads, not driving around barricades, and remaining vigilant of fallen debris and power lines. Additionally, if a tornado warning is issued, individuals should seek shelter immediately.

In response to the anticipated severe weather, several city departments in Raleigh have provided updates on closures and cancellations. The Raleigh City Council has canceled its 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. sessions of the meeting on January 9. The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources department has announced that all Raleigh Parks facilities and programs will close at 4 p.m. on this day. Furthermore, the School Based programs have decided to close Track Out two hours early, with all Track Out locations closing at 4:00 p.m. Additionally, the Field Status for January 9 is Code Red, indicating the postponement of all outdoor field activities and the cancellation of all indoor activities.

Other city department updates include the suspension of curbside garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection in the afternoon of January 9 by Solid Waste Services. Residents are advised to remove their carts from the curb immediately for safety reasons. The City's Yard Waste Center will also be closed on this day. The Bill Payment Lobby at the Raleigh Municipal Building will close at 4:00 p.m., with utility payments being accepted over the phone or online.

In terms of communication, the City of Raleigh has set up a non-emergency hotline at 919-829-1911. Additionally, the City will be updating its Twitter feed, @RaleighGov, with links to news releases and alerts issued by the City of Raleigh.

Raleigh Stormwater is closely monitoring weather conditions across the city to prepare and reduce the impacts of flooding. This includes the use of stream gauges to track water levels in creeks and cameras to monitor road flooding in real-time. Furthermore, yellow flood warning signs will be activated when water reaches the road, signaling caution to motorists.

To ensure preparedness for emergencies, the City of Raleigh has compiled the Ready Raleigh Emergency Preparedness Guide, which provides information and resources to promote resilience at the household and community level. Additional resources for emergency preparedness are available through the National Weather Service, ReadyNC, and Ready Wake.

With the potential for severe weather in Central N.C., it is crucial for residents to stay informed, be prepared, and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of others.

To find out more, go to this link: https://raleighnc.gov/news/severe-weather