With winds surging to 70 mph, just shy of hurricane force, a hurricane watch blankets eastern North Carolina, spanning from north of Surf City to Ocracoke Inlet.
Tropical Storm Ophelia, nearing hurricane strength, is poised off the Southeast coast, set to unleash a barrage of rain, powerful winds, surges, and potential tornadoes across the East Coast over the weekend
Governors of North Carolina and Virginia have declared states of emergency, prompting school closures and event cancellations as communities brace for impact. tropical storm Ophelia conditions have already taken hold along parts of the East Coast.
The National Hurricane Center warns of life-threatening storm surges, high surf, and rip currents, coupled with substantial rainfall from North Carolina to New Jersey. tropical storm Ophelia’s drenching rains are expected to disrupt outdoor events and NFL games. As of 11 p.m. ET, Ophelia’s center hovered approximately 70 miles southeast of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, boasting sustained winds of 70 mph, advancing west-northwest at 12 mph. Over 7 million residents are under tropical storm Ophelia warnings.
Rising waves, peaking between 15 to 19 feet, are recorded off North Carolina’s coast
The hurricane center cautions of hazardous rip currents and surges along stretches of North Carolina and Virginia. Anticipated storm surge inundation may reach 4-6 feet in some areas, coupled with substantial rainfall ranging from 3-5 inches, locally up to 7 inches. Eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia are expected to bear the brunt of tropical storm Ophelia’s impact.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper have both declared states of emergency, mobilizing resources for response and recovery. Residents are urged to closely monitor weather updates and prepare emergency kits. Tropical storm Ophelia is the 16th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. Another system near the Cape Verde islands has a 90% chance of tropical storm Ophelia development in the next five days as it tracks west-northwestward.
READ ALSO: Hottest Summer On Record Amplifies Climate Disasters And New York Heat-Related Deaths