Storm bands lashing NC coast as high winds, heavy rain, flooding and dangerous surf expected

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WNCN) — Outer bands from the storm now called Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight are starting to hit the North Carolina coast Sunday afternoon with heavy rain and 40 to 50 mph winds.

From Sunday afternoon through Monday, gusty winds and torrential rains — along with flooding — are expected along beaches, with Brunswick, New Hanover, Carteret, Onslow, and Pender counties under a tropical storm warning.

Even inland in eastern North Carolina, up to six inches of rain is possible with tropical storm-force wind gusts.

By noon Sunday, a 59 mph wind gust was measured at Johnny Mercers Fishing Pier in Wrightsville Beach, according to the National Weather Service.

On Sunday at 5 p.m., the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning from Ocracoke Inlet all the way down to the South Carolina line.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight would be Helene if it develops. Although the actual low pressure is south of North Carolina, the storms have developed to the north.

By early Sunday afternoon, heavy rain with high winds was moving into the southern North Carolina islands and beaches, including Wilmington and the Brunswick County coast.

Brunswick County Schools are on a two-hour delay on Monday because of possible flooding.

“Regardless of tropical or subtropical development, the low is likely to bring gusty winds, heavy rains with the potential for flash flooding, coastal flooding, and dangerous beach conditions,” the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

In other areas, a gale watch has been replaced with a gale warning with seas up to 12 feet near shore and even higher off the coast, the weather service said.

A flood watch is now also in effect for areas along the coast and inland until Tuesday morning, including Robeson, Bladen, Columbus, Pender, New Hanover and Brunswick counties.

A high surf advisory is also in effect along much of the North Carolina coast.

The National Weather Service for the Outer Banks said the storms should worsen throughout Sunday.

“Conditions begin to deteriorate today with gusty winds, dangerous marine conditions, minor coastal flooding, and strong rip currents,” forecasters with the Morehead City office said.

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