Richmond, surrounding counties under flood watch

ROCKINGHAM — The central Carolinas are under a flood watch for the next several days as more rain is expected.

The National Weather Service has issued an areal flood watch until midnight July 26, with a total of up to two inches of rain forecast for Richmond County through Thursday evening. However, meteorologists say higher amounts are expected during thunderstorms.

The watch includes most counties in central North and South Carolina between Interstates 95 and 77 from the Virginia border to Augusta, Georgia.

Although the watch ends at midnight, the forecast calls for up to a half-inch of rain throughout the day Friday, with 70% chance during the day and a 60% chance in the evening.

According to the NWS, 2.15 inches of rain were recorded in Hamlet on July 23.

Neighboring Scotland County appears to have recorded the most rainfall during Tuesday’s storms that swept across the Southeast, with two stations in Laurinburg each showing more than 4 inches. Three inches were recorded in Maxton.

The only other place in the NWS Raleigh office’s district to receive more than 3 inches was Four Oaks in Johnston County with 3.45 inches.

Richmond County had gone nearly two months without significant rainfall until last week, which has been a challenge for the agricultural community.

Some residents have reported receiving 5-7 inches of rain within a 24-36-hour period within the past week.

But not all of the rainfall has been in the areas where it’s most needed.

Ellerbe farmer Lee Berry told the RO on Wednesday that he’s received 3.85 inches in the past week.