LUMBERTON — The National Weather Service’s flood warning for the Lumber River near Lumberton was extended until further notice on Friday.

The Lumber River had crested Friday at 17.5 feet, 4 feet above flood stage, said Jordan Baker, a meteorologist with the NWS office in Wilmington. That’s as high as it should go, and water levels are expected to slowly decrease throughout the week.

“It’s at around 17.5 and it should be near its peak and should be coming down pretty soon,” he said. “It’s been building up for a while because we’ve had these intermittent systems (of rain) coming through and it’s been just enough to keep the water rising.”

But, people with interests along the river should take the necessary precautions to protect life and property from floodwaters, the NWS warns. Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast.

At 18 feet, flood waters deepen in the Pines and Coxs Pond areas, and along River Road, according to the warning. Floodwaters may affect Carthage Road. Several homes will become isolated or inundated between the Pepsi plant and the river. Chickenfoot Road, Hestertown Road and Noir Street will be closed.

Baker said the river’s water level will decrease, but it will take some time.

“It will be hitting 17 tomorrow morning and hovering around 16.9 feet for the next four days as the water comes from the small tributaries feeding into the Lumber River,” Baker said Friday evening.

The Lumber River’s normal depth is about 12 feet or lower, and the river should be at that level or better in about a week, he said.

This weekend’s weather should help.

The forecast for Saturday and Sunday is plentiful sunshine and highs in the low 60s. The forecast through Friday calls for sunny or partly sunny skies with high temperatures in the high 50s and low 60s.

Additional weather information is available online at www.weather.gov