Heavy rain is likely for much of North Carolina this week as Hurricane Debby nears, and cities are already preparing for flooding.

Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Florida Monday morning. The forward motion of the storm is expected to slow down as it spends time over land this week, and rain is possible Monday and Tuesday as Debby approaches North Carolina.

Crews in Raleigh started working Monday to lower the water level in Lake Johnson in preparation for heavy rain in the days ahead.

Spectrum News 1 meteorologists say the highest rainfall totals in the state are expected in southeastern parts, where some spots could see over a foot of rain.

“Lowering the lake allows us to store more water and helps reduce flooding concerns along Walnut Creek,” Ethan Clark, meteorologist for the City of Raleigh, tweeted.

Clark says water drained from lakes in Raleigh goes into the Neuse River, but the reason for the early prep is so the water gets to the ocean before heavy rain moves in. 

In Charlotte, Storm Water crews are asking residents to check drains near their home before Debby moves in.

“If you see debris over the drain, clear it away to prevent localized flooding caused by blockages,” John Wendel with Charlotte Storm Water said.

In Lumberton, city workers are reinforcing a barricade near Interstate 95 that's close to the Lumber River. In both 2016 and 2018, floodwaters caused by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence poured through the area.