A tropical storm watch has been issued for Outer Banks, North Carolina, and a state of emergency has been declared ahead of the approaching storm, Idalia. The governor of North Carolina has urged residents to prepare for potential impacts. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and the possibility of flash floods to the area. Local authorities are taking precautions, such as closing certain beaches and mobilizing emergency response teams. Residents are advised to stay updated on the storm’s progress and follow any evacuation orders that may be issued for their safety..
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday declared a state of emergency ahead of potential impacts from Hurricane Idalia, with tropical storm and storm surge watches issued for the Outer Banks and northeastern North Carolina Wednesday into Thursday.
Officials on the Outer Banks are warning residents and visitors to prepare for the impacts of both Idalia later this week, and Hurricane Franklin, which is churning offshore.
The governor’s declaration mobilizes the state’s emergency operations plan, waiving transportation rules to help the transport of fuel and critical supplies and emergency services.
Idalia strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane Tuesday afternoon, but is expected to come ashore in Florida as a Category 3 system with sustained winds of up to 120 mph, the Associated Press reported.
Northeast North Carolina is already seeing impacts from Franklin, which was a major Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic with winds of 130 mph on Tuesday afternoon. The storm will remain far offshore, but is creating hazardous ocean conditions with life-threatening rip currents and large breaking surf, Dare County Emergency Management said in a news release.
Hurricane Idalia’s forecast remained fluid Tuesday afternoon, with potential impacts to the Outer Banks still unknown, the release said. The storm is expected to move off the East Coast into the Atlantic after making landfall as a major hurricane in Florida on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service forecast for the Outer Banks calls for “significant rain,” high winds and storm surge inundation.
“Most impacts will be realized on Hatteras Island based on the current forecast track. Impacts are anticipated to start late Wednesday, August 30, 2023, into Thursday, August 31, 2023, so now is the time to prepare,” Dare County’s release said.
Tropical storm force winds with gusts up to 55 mph are expected for the Outer Banks Thursday afternoon into evening, as well as rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches, localized flash flooding and dangerous storm surge inundation of 2-4 feet along the southern Pamlico Sound.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore will close the Ocracoke, Cape Point and Frisco campgrounds on Wednesday until the storm passes and damage surveys are completed.
The National Park Service is also warning visitors to stay away from a two-mile stretch of beach in Rodanthe where several houses have fallen in the ocean during storms over the past two years.
The oceanfront between the north end of Rodanthe and South Shore Drive “should be avoided due to the continued presence of vulnerable houses that may be damaged by rough surf and strong winds,” the park service said in a release.
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division on Tuesday suspended Ocracoke Express passenger ferry service for Wednesday and warned travelers expect statewide impacts to ferry schedules.
“All other routes will suspend operations if and when conditions worsen,” the ferry division said in a news release.
The governor’s office released the following tips to prepare for the storm:
- Have multiple ways to receive emergency information, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on a cell phone and download a weather app.
- Have an emergency plan. Know where to go if there’s a need to evacuate. Make a plan to stay with family, friends or at a hotel. Public shelters should be a last resort.
- Gather some emergency supplies or refresh an emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit.
- If people live near or are visiting the coast, be aware if you are located in a coastal evacuation zone. Visit KnowYourZone.nc.gov to see if you are located in a predetermined evacuation zone.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency ahead of the potential impacts of Hurricane Idalia in the state. Tropical storm and storm surge watches have been issued for the Outer Banks and northeastern North Carolina. Residents and visitors in the Outer Banks are being warned to prepare for the impacts of both Hurricane Idalia and Hurricane Franklin. The governor’s declaration mobilizes the state’s emergency operations plan. Idalia is expected to come ashore in Florida as a Category 3 system, while Franklin will remain far offshore but will create hazardous ocean conditions in northeastern North Carolina.
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