Tropical Storm Ophelia, Tracking, Impact, Warnings, Preparedness, National Hurricane Center, hurricane tracker, coastal flood warning.
Just before the break of dawn on Saturday, Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina. The storm was projected to veer northward and continue impacting several coastal states throughout the weekend, bringing with it the potential for up to eight inches of rainfall, tropical storm-force winds, and minor coastal flooding.
Tropical storm conditions were already underway along the North Carolina coast as the storm moved in a north-northwest direction, as reported by the National Hurricane Center. At 6:20 a.m., it was located approximately 25 miles west-northwest of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, with maximum sustained winds reaching around 70 miles per hour; hurricane-strength winds begin at 74 mph.
As Ophelia approached the United States, nearly eight million people from the Carolinas to Delaware were under tropical storm warnings as of 5:30 a.m., indicating that sustained winds of at least 39 mph were anticipated in those regions within the next 36 hours, according to the National Weather Service.
The expansive reach of tropical storm-force winds extended over 300 miles, posing widespread maritime hazards and storm surge concerns along the Mid-Atlantic coastline, as forecasters at the Weather Prediction Center cautioned. These potent east-northeasterly winds also heightened the risk of coastal flooding extending as far north as Long Island.
As the storm intensified to near hurricane force just before landfall, forecasters issued a hurricane watch for parts of North Carolina, signaling the potential for hurricane-force winds, flooding, and storm surges. The extent of surge-related flooding would be influenced in part by the tidal cycle. North Carolina residents were advised to stock up on supplies and take precautions, including securing outdoor furniture, monitoring official alerts, and devising an emergency plan, as recommended by Will Ray, the state’s emergency management director.
Ophelia is expected to gradually weaken on Saturday, with winds likely diminishing below tropical storm-force within a day or so, according to meteorologists. The storm’s center was forecast to track northward over North Carolina, Virginia, and the Delmarva Peninsula in the coming weekend.
Rainfall totals across the affected area will vary, potentially leading to localized flooding from North Carolina to New Jersey. Portions of North Carolina and Virginia may receive up to eight inches of rainfall.
Forecasters also issued warnings about the possibility of tornadoes spawned by the storm on Saturday.
By Sunday, Ophelia is anticipated to weaken further as it approaches southern Maryland, although heavy rainfall remains a possibility across the northern Mid-Atlantic, spanning from southeastern Pennsylvania to Long Island. A one to three-inch rainfall may occur from New York into southern New England, commencing on Saturday and persisting into Monday.
Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia declared a state of emergency on Friday, advising residents to prepare for heavy rain, flooding, wind damage, tornadoes, and other storm-related impacts through Sunday. The storm was anticipated to approach densely populated areas with numerous vulnerable communities, according to a statement from Governor Youngkin’s office. Residents were encouraged to assemble emergency kits and acquire battery-powered devices, including a radio for receiving alerts.
In Bethany Beach, Delaware, a wedding party checked in on Friday at the Addy Sea, an oceanfront inn, where rough surf and strong winds from the storm were observed. The wedding, originally planned to be held in a tent at the inn, was relocated to a restaurant a few blocks away. The hotel arranged a shuttle service to transport guests to the new venue. Precautions were taken by the inn’s staff, such as securing outdoor furniture and cushions, to prevent potential projectiles in the strong winds.
In North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper and emergency management officials issued a statement on Thursday warning of the potential for strong winds to topple trees and cause power outages, along with the risk of flooding due to saturated soil. Residents were urged to prepare by stocking up on batteries and, if they ventured outside, to avoid downed power lines and flooded streets. The memory of Hurricane Florence’s impact in 2018, which brought severe flooding to North Carolina, remained fresh in the minds of many residents.
Conditions in the region were expected to gradually improve by Monday, except for some lingering showers, according to forecasts from the Weather Prediction Center.