Severe thunderstorm warning issued for several districts in the observation area

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – A severe weather warning was issued Tuesday afternoon for several counties throughout the broadcast area.

The National Weather Service has issued warnings for the following districts until Tuesday, September 24, 6:30 p.m.:

• Cleveland County
• Gaston District
• Rowan County
• Stanly County

Additionally A flood warning has been issued for the following districts:

• Avery County
• Burke County
• Caldwell County

Tropical Storm Helene

The warnings come days before the Carolinas are expected to feel the effects of Tropical Storm Helene, which is likely to strengthen into Hurricane Helene in the Gulf this week.

Helene is forecast to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast late Thursday as a major hurricane before moving northward and passing just west of the Carolinas overnight Thursday into Friday.

This will result in heavy rainfall and gusty winds during this period, so a First Alert Weather Day will be implemented. The impacts will be felt most strongly on Friday morning.

Related: Here's when Tropical Storm Helene will bring rain to Charlotte this week

Main impacts

In parts of the mountains and foothills, rainfall from Helene and the rainfall we are seeing ahead of the storm could total 6 to 10 inches. This creates an increased risk of flooding in this area. Several inches of rain are expected in the Charlotte metro and isolated flash flooding is possible.

Wind gusts could reach 40 to 50 miles per hour, knocking down trees and causing isolated to numerous power outages. The strongest winds are expected locally Friday morning.

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