Tropical Storm Idalia to move offshore Thursday; Flood Watch remains in effect
Tropical Storm Idalia was near Myrtle Beach on Thursday morning and is expected to continue to turn more easterly and move well offshore Thursday afternoon.
The back edge of its heaviest rain extended across Sampson County north and northwest to eastern Wake, Franklin, and Halifax counties. according to the National Weather Service.
The rain will continue to move east and across eastern central N.C. early this morning, the NWS said. Wind gusts of 35-40 mph are expected mainly east of a line from Fayetteville to Goldsboro, potentially bringing isolated downed trees and power outages, forecasters predict. Conditions will improve, with a west-to-east clearing trend, and gradually lessen through the day as Idalia moves east and farther offshore. the NWS said.
The Flash Flood Watch for Cumberland, Hoke, Sampson, Scotland and Wayne counties remains in effect until 3 p.m. As of 6 a.m., the severe threat of tornados had ended across central N.C.
Otherwise, the cold front was moving south through the region producing wind gusts of 30-39mph. Smithfield recently gusted to over 30 mph with the wind shift to the north, the NWS said. Winds are expected to remain rather gusty even when the rain ends Thursday morning.
Look for clearing skies and comfortable conditions Thursday afternoon with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s. Tonight, expect lows in the 50s to lower 60s.
Minimal PWC power outages
As of 7 a.m., PWC announced, there were no power outages in Fayetteville.
"Since early Wednesday evening, PWC only experienced a few scattered outages, with largest being just over 1,000 who lost power early Wednesday evening for (90 minutes) as a result of a fire on a utility pole on Skibo Road," a news release said.
With more than 4 inches of rain falling overnight, water flows at PWC water reclamation facilities were at manageable levels and the plants had no issues, the release said. Though the wastewater collection system had higher flows from rainfall, it had only minor issues at some sanitary sewer lift stations throughout the system that required up to four crews to work overnight to prevent wastewater overflows,the release said.
"PWC will continue to monitor conditions and respond as the affects of Idalia move out of our service area this morning, the release said. Track PWC outages at https://www.faypwc.com/electric-outage-map/.
Two Duke Energy customers were without power as of 7 a.m.
TRACK THE STORM: See the latest updates on the path of Tropical Storm Idalia
Cumberland County Schools
Cumberland County Schools are operating on a remote learning schedule Thursday.
“District officials are closely monitoring weather conditions and collaborating with the National Weather Service and the Cumberland County Emergency Operations Center,” district spokesman Lindsay Whitley said.
District offices and school buildings are closed and employees are working remotely. Essential personnel and employees with questions should contact their direct supervisor for additional guidance, the notice stated.
Students are to work independently on assignments that are uploaded to the Canvas learning management platform or were provided by teachers before departing school Wednesday.
According to the notice, elementary and middle school students will have five days to complete and submit their assignments, and high school students will have three days.
The district’s Prime Time before- and after-school program will be closed Thursday, and athletic events and after-school activities scheduled for Wednesday evening and Thursday have been canceled or rescheduled.
Any updates will be communicated through the ParentLink notification system, Cumberland County Schools website and social media pages, Whitley said.
Colleges and university closings
Students enrolled in classes at Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College and College Connections should contact their instructors for additional guidance.
Methodist University President Stanley T. Wearden announced the university canceled its on-campus classes and events, and its offices are closed.
Online classes will meet as scheduled, a news release stated. Retail dining options on campus will open at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Essential personnel, such as campus police, maintenance, and housekeeping, will be on campus Thursday.
The university will provide updated information through its campus weather hotline, social media platforms, Methodist University email, and the methodist.edu website.
Harnett County Schools also announced it will operate on a remote learning schedule Thursday “due to potential inclement weather.”
Moore County schools are closed Thursday.
Bladen Community College is closed. The college will provide updates through its text messaging system, website, social media pages and news outlets.
Fort Liberty
Fort Liberty will operate on a reduced-manning status Thursday because of Hurricane Idalia’s expected impact to the area, a news release stated.
Only mission-essential and weather emergency personnel should report at 10 a.m.
All service members need to contact their chain of command for specific guidance, while all adverse-weather civilian personnel should report to duty as directed by their supervisor or chain of command, the release said.
Solid Waste
Cumberland County Solid Waste had delayed opening the Ann Street Landfill, Wilkes Road Treatment and Processing Facility and Melvin Container site until 8:30 a.m.
Shelters closed
With Tropical Storm Idalia passing through Cumberland County and its effects dissipating, Cumberland County Emergency Services is closing both of its emergency shelters at 9 a.m.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Tropical Storm Idalia to move offshore Thursday; Flood Watch remains in effect
