New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender County Schools are all closed Monday. Cape Fear Community College has also closed all of its campus locations. City of Wilmington, New Hanover County, and Brunswick County Offices and Courts are closed.
This is hardly an exhaustive list, but it illustrates the point: driving conditions are hazardous due to flooding and the potential for downed trees.
By Tuesday, a drying trend will set in, which makes Monday the last day the area will see significant heavy rainfall from the current systems.
Michael Colby, a Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington, says winds could gust today up to 50 miles per hour. With saturated ground and compromised root systems, trees could fall -- creating a serious public safety issue. A falling tree can do quite a bit of damage to homes and vehicles. Colby warns that people have died from trees falling on them during severe weather, and he advises people to be cognizant of those times when the wind is kicking up.
The forecast for Monday is the same as the last several days: rain. Colby says the Cape Fear region will see heavy rain moving in off the ocean this morning -- possibly 2-4 inches, 5 inches in some areas. The heaviest rain, he says, will be over Brunswick and New Hanover Counties.
TODAY'S FORECAST:
And a drying trend sets in Tuesday -- when flood waters should begin receding...
However, Colby warns that people in low-lying areas and especially those near rivers can expect to see continued flooding throughout the week.