Abbi Overfelt

Staff writer

LUMBERTON — Sandy won’t wreak havoc on Robeson County, but she may rain on some weekend plans.

According to the National Weather Service, the Category 1 hurricane will bring 10-mph winds to the area late today, as well as a chance of rain. By Saturday, gusts will increase and rain will begin to fall as bands from the system begin to move inland.

“The main effects are rain that will be heavy at times and windy conditions will be anywhere from 15 to 20 mph,” said Sandy LaCorte, a meteorologist with the service. Saturday night and Sunday, they could pick up a little and reach 20 to 25 mph.”

The National Weather Service is calling for a 30 percent chance of showers tonight, and the chance of wet weather is 80 percent on Saturday. Only a slight chance exists for Sunday. According to LaCorte, about an inch of rain will fall during those two days.

Robeson County emergency personnel said they are keeping an eye on the hurricane.

“Mainly we’re just monitoring it,” said Mattie Caulder, assistant director of Emergency Services. “I think most of it is going to go to the coastlines so we’ll be getting some rain off of it but mostly we’re just monitoring it. We just keep looking at the weather and the information we receive from the National Weather Service.”

Emergency services can be reached 910-671-3150. To report a power outage, call Progress Energy at 1-800-228-8485; Lumbee River Electric Membership Cooperation at 1-800-683-5571; the city of Lumberton at 910-671-3865; or the town of Red Springs at 910-843-5241.

LaCorte said heavy clouds will remain through Sunday but when the work week returns, so should clear skies.

“Through Sunday and into Monday, conditions will slowly improve,” she said. “By Monday, it should be mostly sunny.”

Monday and Tuesday will be breezy and cool, according to the service. Monday’s high is forecasted at 62 and Tuesday’s will be 56.

Only coastal areas are under an advisory from the storm, which according to Steve Pfaff, also at the Wilmington office of the National Weather Service, will mostly kick up the surf.

“It has expanded greatly in size,” Pfaff said of Sandy. “… It has kind of sprawled out and is now the size of a typical nor’easter. The biggest impacts are going to be maritime. …When this storm passes far off the coast, we’re still going to feel the effects.”