By By JONATHAN CLAYBORNE
Staff Writer
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Beaufort County on Wednesday afternoon as heavy rains inundated areas already soaked by rain Monday.
John Pack, county emergency management coordinator, urged motorists to stay off roads after dark, as more flooding rains were expected overnight into Thursday morning.
Pack said the weather service is forecasting an increase in winds tonight as a low-pressure system develops off the southeast coast and Tropical Storm Nicole begins to move offshore.
“We would urge people to slow down and respect the fact that unless you can see the road is clear, it may not be around that bend,” Pack said. “There could be a tree laying across it.”
In response to the weather situation, Beaufort County Schools issued a two-hour delay for the start of classes Thursday, said spokeswoman Sarah Hodges.
Further delays or closures will be shared via the schools’ automated message system if necessary, said Hodges.
Minor street flooding already was a problem around Washington on Wednesday afternoon, as 2 to 3 inches of rain had fallen over western Beaufort County through the lunch hour.
More heavy rain was in the forecast, and local officials advised residents to pay attention to media updates in case additional weather warnings are issued.