Heavy Rains, Flooding Expected Across North Carolina As Hurricane Joaquin Approaches

UPDATE 3:09 P.M. Hurricane Joaquin has been updated to a Category 4 storm.

ORIGINAL STORY: 

Governor Pat McCrory has ordered a state of emergency, effective Friday, for all 100 North Carolina counties in preparation for heavy rain expected this weekend. The announcement came in a news conference Thursday afternoon.

The rain could come from two places. As of Thursday morning, Hurricane Joaquin was a Category 3 storm positioned near the Bahamas. Officials expect some impact from Joaquin even if it doesn't make landfall in the U.S.

There's also a separate low-pressure system over the South that's expected to contribute to precipitation totals.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for most of North Carolina through Monday. The NWS says the heavy rains could move into the Triad Friday.

It's notoriously difficult to predict the strength and direction of hurricanes, and according to the weather service, Joaquin's uncertain path over the next few days will determine how it interacts with the low-pressure system over the South – and how much rain the region gets.

State Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry said in a statement Wednesday he expects flooding in low-lying parts of the state, no matter what Joaquin does.

He's asking residents to have emergency supply kits prepared, know the appropriate evacuation routes, and to never walk or drive through flooded areas.

Sprayberry says the state's ReadyNC app and ReadyNC.org will offer real-time weather and emergency information as the weekend progresses.