CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tuesday was a day to be Weather Aware as deadly storms moved through the Carolinas. While the storm threat may be over, flood risks remain around much of the Charlotte area and drivers are urged to take caution, especially when driving in the dark.
Flooding remains a concern especially near rivers, creeks, and streams. Use caution if you live or travel near bodies of water dealing with elevated levels. Floodwater may be slow to recede, so be prepared to turn around and find a different route. Use caution as you approach tree debris and storm damage, and avoid downed power lines.
There were severe thunderstorm warnings in Anson and Richmond counties in North Carolina, as well as Lancaster and Chesterfield counties in South Carolina, earlier in the afternoon Tuesday, but they have since expired. Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich said people should treat all severe thunderstorm warnings as if they were tornado warnings, and seek shelter.
Tornado warnings were also in effect for parts of Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Stanly and Union counties Tuesday around midday, but they also expired, though not before they wreaked havoc around the area.
One person has died and two others are in critical condition after severe weather hit Catawba County on Tuesday. According to Catawba County Communications, the National Weather Service was in the area to evaluate exactly what type of severe weather hit the area.
These conditions were a prime setup for downed trees and power outages, and outages were reported across the region.
PHOTOS: Storm damage in the Carolinas
PHOTOS: Storm damage across the Charlotte area - Jan. 9, 2024
DAMAGE IN THE CAROLINAS: See the latest damage reports here
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order to declare a State of Emergency ahead of Tuesday's severe weather threat.
Winds
There was a wind advisory from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. Tuesday, with winds driving out of the south at 20 mph to 30 mph throughout most of the day with peaks up to and over 50 mph into the afternoon. These gusts were the strongest along a line of strong storms capable of downing trees and causing power outages.
At one point Tuesday, wind gusts up to 62 mph were reported at Bank of America Stadium.
RELATED: Weather IQ: What causes wind?
For the latest weather alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.
Flooding
Since Dec. 9, Charlotte has had more than 7 inches of rain, prior to Tuesday's severe weather. This has helped with the drought but flooding will happen quicker than it did a couple of weeks ago. Rain began Tuesday morning, but the heaviest rain fell mid-afternoon.
By late Tuesday afternoon, Charlotte set a new rainfall record for Jan. 9 at 2.48". The previous record was 1.91".
Severe storms and tornado threat
Severe storms followed along a line called a Q.L.C.S. (Quasi-Linear Convective System). Lines like these are prone to the leading edge to bring a swath of the strongest winds of the day and even spin-up tornadoes in the notches.
It is because of this and an ample amount of wind shear that there was an elevated threat for wind damage and tornadoes.
The worst of the weather on Tuesday ended up being toward the east and southeast of Charlotte.
RELATED STORIES FROM WCNC CHARLOTTE: