National Weather Service Updates: CLICK HERE
Update Aug. 6, 7 p.m.: The Lee County Parks and Recreation programming and facility rentals are cancelled through Friday. Park facilities are subject to closure based on conditions. Follow the Lee County Parks and Recreation Facebook page for further updates.
The County of Lee Transit System (COLTS) will not operate on Thursday. Depending on conditions, operations may also be impacted on Friday. The County will update the public as we continue to monitor the storm.
Original story: The City of Sanford is asking residents to prepare for the potential impact of Tropical Storm Debby as Lee County is considered an “extreme flood risk” beginning Thursday.
According to a press release today, the city’s Public Works department is gearing up for the likely possibility of downed trees and flooded roadways.
“City crews are checking and clearing drains throughout the storm water system to help prevent and mitigate flood conditions in the aftermath of the storm,” the release states. “Staff has also been busy checking equipment and verifying that the department is ready to respond during and after the storm.
According to the National Weather Service, Lee County could see between 8-15 inches of rain, with higher amounts east of Interstate 95 toward the coast. Extreme flood risks are responsible for 39 percent of flood-related deaths and 83 percent of flood-related damages, according to WRAL.
Beginning Thursday, winds will increase with 30-40 mph gusts likely. Due to soil saturation, expected rain totals and wind gusts, conditions are likely to lead to downed trees, resulting in widespread power outages.
Gov. Roy Cooper has issued a State of Emergency in North Carolina ahead of the storm. The order activates the State Emergency Operations Plan and allows agencies to take appropriate action in the event of power outages, supply needs and more.
The Order activates the State Emergency Operations Plan and allows for the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to take the appropriate action to ensure the expeditious movement of utility vehicles to eliminate power outages, vehicles carrying essential supplies such as food, medicine and fuel or transporting livestock, poultry and crops.
Locally, Sanford Fire Department will stay on shift through the storm, and the Public Works Center will remain staffed with employees on call. Lee County Schools has pushed back scheduled Open House events before the start of school to early next week.
The city released the following contact information to report storm damage:
- (919) 775-8247 to report downed trees in roadways or municipal property during regular operating hours.
- (919) 775-8268 to report downed trees in roadways or municipal property after hours or on weekends.
- 800-POWERON to report power outages to Duke Energy (or text OUT to 57801).
- (877) 766-6769 to report power outages to Central Electric (or text OUT to 800-446-7752).
The City will provide updates about traffic disruptions, service delays, and closures through its mass notification system and social media outlets. Learn more and subscribe at www.sanfordnc.net/emergencies. If you wish to subscribe to emergency text messages only, text SanfordNC to 38276.
heavy rain on Thursday, then by Saturday sunshine. If Sanford can’t handle just a full day of rain after having almost NO rain last month, you guys need to get your act together. Clean out the gutters before it rains, and you may not have a problem. This isn’t an emergency; this is called normal rain. The farmers are probably very happy we are getting this rain.
Maybe if you wouldn’t try and cut down every tree in Sanford, the trees could absorb some of the rain. Plus, you do know trees are great to get rid of the co2 you want to blame on the cows, it’s you, cutting down the trees.