Tropical Storm Idalia, which has been barreling through the southeastern states of the US, is expected to impact North Carolina on Thursday, bringing heavy rain, flash flooding, and gusty winds to parts of the state.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a tropical storm warning for the North Carolina coast from Little River Inlet to Duck, including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. This means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
According to the NHC, Idalia was located about 125 miles (200 km) south-southwest of Charleston, South Carolina, as of 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and was moving north-northeast at 12 mph (19 km/h).
The NHC said that Idalia is expected to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) across portions of eastern Georgia, South Carolina, and eastern North Carolina, with isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches (25.4 cm). This could cause significant flash and urban flooding, as well as minor to moderate river flooding.
The NHC also warned that Idalia could produce a few tornadoes across eastern South Carolina and eastern North Carolina on Wednesday night and Thursday.
The storm is forecast to weaken gradually as it moves inland over North Carolina on Thursday and Friday. It is then expected to emerge over the Atlantic Ocean by Saturday.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to prepare for possible power outages and stay away from flooded roads. They can also track the path of Tropical Storm Idalia using a live map.
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