RALEIGH – The N.C. coast is breathing a little easier this morning as the National Weather Service says that Potential Tropical Cyclone Ten remains off the coast and did not strengthen to a Tropical Storm overnight as forecasters thought it might yesterday. Still, as of 8 am Tuesday morning, A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Jones, Mainland Dare, Mainland Hyde, Onslow, Outer Banks Dare, Outer Banks Hyde, Pamlico, Tyrrell, and Washington. New Hanover County schools are on a two-hour delay Tuesday as officials watch the forecast.
The National Weather Center says that the storm system is about 70 miles southwest of Morehead City with winds of 40 miles per hour. It is moving northeast at 15 miles per hour and will move along the N.C. coast throughout the day and away from the Outer Banks Tuesday evening. Forecasters have dropped the expected rainfall totals. Between three and six inches of rain are expected to fall through Tuesday evening, mainly east of Highway 17, with an elevated to moderate risk high winds, surges and inland flooding. The Flash Flood Watch from Monday has been discontinued.
Forecasters did warn in a briefing Tuesday morning that rain over much of N.C.’s coast could cause rapid flooding of low lying areas, roads and yards, possibly impacting some structures. Residents are advised to expect scattered road closures, and turn around rather than trying to drive through flooded streets.