WATER EVERYWHERE? KAY GULLEDGE AT JETTON HARRIS TEETER

Sept. 12 UPDATED 4 PM. Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools will be closed Thursday and Friday as Hurricane Florence draws closer to the coast.

All CMS athletic practices, games and events are cancelled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Extracurricular activities and field trips scheduled for Thursday and Friday are cancelled as well as before school and after school enrichment programs.

Make-up days will be designated at a later time.

Gas supplies were spotty Tuesday evening around Cornelius, with some stations out of fuel. While major gasoline suppliers are doing a good job of keeping up with demand, there’s definitely panic buying under way.

One gas station operator told Cornelius Today “so many people have topped off, no one will be coming in for the next four days.”

At the Jetton Harris Teeter this morning, water was pouring out of the store. Customer after customer was stocking up from an abundant supply of bottled H2O. All this is part of the un-calm before whatever kind of storm we will get.

The National Weather Service calls for isolated showers and thunderstorms after 9 am today with northeast winds of just 3 to 6 mph.

But the real “Florence Effect” won’t happen until Saturday and Sunday with wind and voluminous rain. Old trees in rain-soaked ground may give it up in high winds. Indeed, tree service companies are being inundated with pre-event calls.

For any big storm, be prepared:

1. What are the hazards where you live or work? What poses a risk for you? An aging tree?

2. Make sure you know weather terms. WATCH means severe weather is possible. WARNING means severe weather is occurring; take shelter immediately.

3. Make a plan that every family member understands: What to do. Whom to call. Where to go.

4. Put together an emergency kit for home and car. Include a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio, and other items needed in case you have to shelter in place or evacuate.

5. Secure lawn furniture, signs, trash and waste containers.

Hurricane Florence could drop an abundance of rain. It’s a good idea to make sure there’s gas in the car and prepare for potential power outages and flooding.

It looks like we’re in for several days of interesting weather. The National Weather Service says we’ll have rain through Tuesday.

Wednesday night
Scattered showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday
A slight chance of showers between 3pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. North northeast wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. North wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Friday
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83.

As Hurricane Florence approaches North Carolina, shelters statewide are opening to take in people displaced by evacuations. Prisons and jails in vulnerable areas are evacuating, and long-term care facilities have been urged to work with local emergency management officials to ensure resident and patient safety.

The state has announced closures of state parks, museums and other attractions.

Gov. Cooper on Tuesday said Western North Carolina residents should not let their guard down as heavy rain could move into western parts of the state