Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Harnett, Wake, and Johnston Counties in North Carolina

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Harnett County, southeastern Wake County, and Johnston County in central North Carolina. The alert was issued at 11:58 AM EDT after radar indicated a severe storm in the area.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts the following geographic regions and municipalities:

• Counties: Harnett, Johnston, and Southeastern Wake.
• Cities and Towns: Raleigh, Smithfield, Lillington, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton, Dunn, Zebulon, Angier, and Benson.
• Highways: Interstate 95 (Mile Markers 107 to 70), Interstate 40 (Mile Markers 296 to 339), Interstate 440 (Mile Markers 11 to 16), Interstate 540 (Mile Markers 17 to 24), and NC Highway 264 (Mile Markers 20 to 22).

Expected Conditions

At 11:57 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Lillington, moving northeast at 65 mph.

• Wind: 60 mph wind gusts are expected.
• Hazards: Radar indicates the potential for damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
• Hail: Potential for hail up to .75 inches.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected area should take the following precautions:

• Seek Shelter: Move to a sturdy structure immediately and remain there until the storm has passed.
• Avoid Hazards: Straight-line winds can blow down trees and power lines and damage mobile homes.
• Stay Away from Windows: Flying debris generated by damaging winds can be deadly.

Timeline

The warning is effective as of 11:58 AM EDT and is currently set to expire at 12:45 PM EDT on March 12, 2026.