Storms Tuesday moved through central North Carolina and produced heavy rain and tornado warnings.

Heavy rain hit Wake County and surrounding counties, causing crashes and backing up traffic for several hours in Cumberland County.

Wake County was under a flash flood warning during the storms, with some areas reporting at least two inches of rain and minor street flooding.

One accident brought U.S. 64 near the Walnut Street exit to a standstill.

The weather also caused a crash between a car and a small school bus in Holly Springs.

Wind and apparent tornadoes also made a mess around central NC.

The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for Cumberland and Sampson counties Tuesday. Both warnings were over by 8:15 p.m.

Several residents on Facebook reported seeing a “small tornado’ touch down in Columbus County on Old Lumberton Road and Red Store Road.. The National Weather Service has not confirmed if a tornado touched down during the storms Tuesday.

In Red Springs in Robeson County, several residents reported downed trees, including a local fire department in the county.

A trees also fell around Orange County. Around 6:30 p.m., a tree blocked Miller Road near Greetree road in Hillsborough.

Residents are now cleaning up and bracing for more rain tomorrow, as central North Carolina will be under a level 1 risk for severe weather on Wednesday.

On Tuesday night, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Cumberland County, which includes Fayetteville. The National Weather Service reported that a tornado warning had been issued in Sampson County amid intense rain and a flash flood warning for Wake County on Tuesday night.

Additionally, NWS officials noted that a severe thunderstorm warning had been issued for southeast Cumberland County and central Sampson County.

At 7:17 p.m., a severe thunderstorm warning was issued. It is operative till 8:15 p.m. NWS officials warned people to expect damage to trees, siding, and roofs in addition to being alert for gusts of up to 60 miles per hour.

A tornado warning was previously issued for Cumberland County earlier in the evening at 6:32 p.m., according to the meteorological service, when it was discovered that a strong thunderstorm with the potential to produce a tornado was situated two miles north of St. Pauls.

Climate Change In The US

By the end of the twenty-first century, there will likely be more favorable conditions generally for severe storms, according to climate model forecasts for the United States, quoted by Down To Earth. The primary cause is that strong updrafts are more likely when rising temperatures are combined with an increase in atmospheric moisture.

Significant changes are occurring for seasons that we have historically thought to produce severe weather infrequently due to rising global temperatures, the publication said. Increases in warm, humid air over the fall, winter, and early spring will result in more days with ideal conditions for severe thunderstorms, which might lead to storms with higher potential intensities.

United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities will be flying at half-staff May 15 in North Carolina in honor of National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Yearly on May 15, the day recognizes men and women in law enforcement who lost their lives or were injured in the line of duty.

Gov. Roy Cooper made a statement on the lowering of flags in an May 14 news release.

“Today, we honor the memories and sacrifices of brave law enforcement officers in North Carolina,” Cooper said. “We owe a deep debt of gratitude to those who risk their own safety to protect our communities.”

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Why are the flags at half-staff in North Carolina?

Cooper ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff in observance of National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

The holiday, established by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, is intended to be a celebration of members of law enforcement who are slain or injured on the job. President Joe Biden commented on the holiday in a May 10 news release.

“We recognize the incredible courage of our Nation’s police officers and honor the fallen heroes, whose ultimate sacrifice we can never repay,” Biden said.

How long will flags be at half-staff?

U.S. and N.C. flags will be flown at half-staff beginning at sunrise on Wednesday, May 15, in honor of National Peace Officers Memorial Day and ending at sunset the same day.

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Why do flags fly at half-staff?

Usa.gov states that the American flag flies at half-staff when the country or a state is mourning. The president, a state governor or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff.

An American flag flying at half-staff generally indicates one of these three things:

1. The death of a government official, military member or emergency first responder.
2. A national tragedy.
3. Memorial Day or another national day of remembrance.

Where will flags be flown at half-staff?

Cooper ordered all state facilities in N.C. to fly flags at half-staff.

While only state facilities are ordered to lower flags, the news release encouraged individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions to fly flags at half-staff for the day to celebrate fallen and injured law enforcement officers.

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Is it half-mast or half-staff?

Previous reporting from Memphis Commercial Appeal explained that flags are flown at half-mast on ships and at naval stations ashore, and at half-staff elsewhere.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.