Tornado Watch Issued For Johnston County Until 5 P.M.

JOHNSTON COUNTY — Johnston County is under a tornado watch until 5 p.m. Sunday as a round of potentially severe thunderstorms moves across central and eastern North Carolina.

The watch includes Johnston County along with Wake, Harnett, Wayne, Wilson, Sampson and numerous other counties across central and eastern North Carolina.

Forecasters say Johnston County is in a Level 2 risk area for severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and a few brief tornadoes.

The greatest threat is expected from late Sunday morning into the early evening.

The National Weather Service said the area from Raleigh east toward Goldsboro and northeast toward Rocky Mount is among the locations with the greater potential for short-track tornadoes.

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. It does not mean a tornado has been spotted.

Residents are encouraged to keep phones and weather radios nearby and be prepared to move quickly to a safe location if a tornado warning is issued.

If a warning is issued, residents should move to a basement or small interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and stay away from windows.

The tornado watch is scheduled to remain in effect until 5 p.m. Sunday.