Special Weather Statement issued September 18 at 4:05PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC

**Special Weather Statement issued September 18 at 4:05PM EDT by NWS Raleigh NC**

At 404 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from Sanford to 7 miles north of Carthage to 9 miles east of Seagrove. Movement was south at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include... Fayetteville, Sanford, Southern Pines, Lillington, Carthage, Fort Bragg, North Carolina Zoo, Pinehurst, Aberdeen, and Biscoe.

This includes the following highways... Interstate 95 near Mile Marker 61. US 1 between Mile Markers 69 and 78, and between Mile Markers 85 and 86. Interstate 73 between Mile Markers 42 and 65.

**What You Should Do:**

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning could occur with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

**Alert Details:**

- **Severity:** Moderate

- **Urgency:** Expected

- **Issued by:** NWS Raleigh NC

- **Effective:** Sep 18, 2026 4:05 PM UTC

- **Expires:** Sep 18, 2026 5:00 PM UTC

*This alert was automatically distributed from the National Weather Service via the IPAWS All-Hazards Information Feed.*