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Region will get a third day of gusty winds, persistent rain
Journal Photo by Bruce Chapman
Gerald Hunter, the chief financial officer at Winston-Salem State University, has his umbrella ready as he leaves Cleon F. Thompson Student Center on campus.
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Published: November 12, 2009
Heavy rain and high winds will keep pounding the Triad and Northwest North Carolina today for the third day in a row as the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida move through the state.
The wet, blustery weather yesterday forced many area residents to stay indoors, or to venture out only on short trips to run errands. No major problems were reported, authorities said.
Rainfall totals yesterday ranged from 1.3 inches in Ashe County to 2 inches in Mount Airy to 3.8 inches in Laurel Springs, said William Perry, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Va.
Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro reported 2.4 inches.
The weather service has issued flood watches and warnings throughout North Carolina, including most northwestern and Triad counties.
Triad residents likely will see another 1 to 2 inches of rain today as a cold front off the North Carolina coast combines with the moisture from the remnants of Ida, said Barrett Smith, a meteorologist with the weather service in Raleigh.
The storm's remnants should move northeast and out of the state by Friday.
A wind advisory will be in effect through 6 p.m. Friday. The weather service said that sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph are likely today and Friday, with frequent gusts up to 40 mph.
A lack of widespread flooding made it easier for residents in the Triad and Northwest North Carolina to cope with yesterday's steady rain and strong wind.
However, South Buffalo Creek in Greensboro briefly overran its banks yesterday afternoon, said Barrett Smith, a weather-service meteorologist in Raleigh. The water receded without damaging any houses or businesses.
The rainfall since Tuesday has not caused any flash flooding because there was no heavy rainfall in any particular spot, Perry said. The region had steady rain, and "the rainfall rates have not been high."
Forecasters expect some streams and the Dan River in Danville, Va., to overrun their banks as the rain continues, Perry said.
Several people at Parkway Plaza Shopping Center in Winston-Salem said they were out and about despite the weather.
Tosha Williams of Winston-Salem, who was carrying groceries for her family, was ready for the rain and wind to end.
"We haven't had any power outages in my neighborhood," Williams said. "I hope this will die down."
Duke Energy Corp. reported that more than 1,800 customers in Forsyth County lost power just after 1 p.m. A company spokesman said that power was restored to most customers by 2 p.m.
Authorities handled scattered reports of accidents and fallen trees because of wet roads and winds that gusted up to 36 mph in some areas yesterday. No injuries were reported.
Diane McMoore of Winston-Salem said that the weather didn't keep her from attending classes at Forsyth Technical Community College.
"It's nature," McMoore said. "It is what God sent. We have to accept it as it comes."
Glenn Marr of Hairetown, S.C., who was visiting his girlfriend and doing some shopping in Winston-Salem, said he didn't care for the soggy conditions.
"It could be a lot nicer, but we need the rain," Marr said.
Jim Henry of Winston-Salem said he was coping with the raw weather.
"There's not a lot I can do about it, so I will deal with it," Henry said.
Rain kept many customers away from the Dollar Tree store in Cloverdale Plaza, said Jerry Guynn, the store's manager, since many people who live nearby often walk to the store.
"The traffic is always slow when it rains," Guynn said. "We don't get to close the store when it rains. It's nasty out here."
pgarber@wsjournal.com
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jhinton@wsjournal.com
727-7299
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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