Hurricane Dorian weakens while brushing North Carolina coast

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As Hurricane Dorian blows off the coast of the Carolinas, forecasters are predicting high storm surges and drenching rains that could trigger flooding and unleash environmental hazards in areas still recovering from last year’s Hurricane Florence.

At 1 a.m. Friday, Dorian had sustained winds of 90 mph as it spun about 40 miles east-northeast of Wilmington, North Carolina.

The National Weather Service said hurricane warnings were in effect for the Carolina coasts up to Virginia, with a “potentially life-threatening storm surge” of up to 8-feet around the North Carolina-South Carolina line.

Four deaths have been attributed to the storm in Florida and North Carolina. All of them involved men who died in falls or by electrocution while trimming trees, putting up storm shutters or otherwise getting ready for the hurricane. 

On Thursday, the storm brought tornadoes, heavy rain, and high winds to the area.

Despite being downgraded from a Category 3, the storm’s impact for the Carolinas remained the same, according to Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich.

“It doesn’t really change the impacts at all,” Panovich said. “It’s really not that big of a deal; we’re talking about 5 miles per hour.”

However, the risk of tornadoes ramped up on Thursday.

The National Weather Service reported multiple touchdowns across southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. Panovich said the tornado threat will continue throughout the day. 

“It causes things to spin up ahead and northeast of the storm,” Panovich said. “So everything ahead and to the right of Dorian on the map will have a big threat.”

dorian 11p track thurs

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Late Thursday afternoon, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said 68 shelters had been opened with about 2,200 people in them. Food and water were distributed to communities, and many areas were enforcing curfews.

“If your area is feeling the impacts of Dorian, please stay home and safe. Don’t drive through standing or moving water,” said Governor Cooper. “We are feeling the storm’s force, but it has only started. We have a long night ahead of us.”

Cooper said more than 500 National Guard soldiers had been activated, and the state had more than 200 vehicles, boats, and crews ready for rescue missions in eastern North Carolina. 

“Remember these tips: Don’t drive on flood-covered roads. Obey barriers when present. Don’t run generators indoors. Be wary of carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Cooper.

Parts of North Carolina near Wilmington saw 9-inches of rain and tornadoes, according to Cooper.

Forecasters believed the storm would likely to make landfall on Friday morning. Panovich said Dorian could actually make multiple landfalls in North Carolina.

“Dorian probably could make landfall in three places,” Panovich said. “As it moves to the northeast, those parts jut out into the ocean and they’re able to be hit by the storm as it pushes in that direction. That’s why we’re probably going to see a landfall in those areas.”

South Carolina Emergency Management reported more than 233,000 power outages statewide as of 4:30 p.m. In North Carolina, the number was around 27,000 as of 7:30 p.m., according to emergency management.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster tweeted that President Trump called to check in and offered any assistance that was needed.

The National Weather Service in Wilmington shared a video from Pender County where a tornado touched down near a fire department Thursday morning. There were multiple tornado warnings issued in coastal areas as the outer bands of Dorian move across southeastern North Carolina.

The NOAA reported wind gusts of 75-80 mph in and around Charleston Harbor. A wind gust of 86 mph was recorded in Winyah Bay, South Carolina.

The biggest impacts from Dorian in the Carolinas will be storm surge and flooding, Panovich said. Several roads in the Charleston area were closed Thursday morning due to flooding.

Panovich said the storm will cause sound-side flooding when it reaches the Outer Banks and affect areas that were devastated by Hurricane Florence, such as New Bern and Havelock. 

“The wind is pushing the water up against these beaches, heading north as you go up toward Wrightsville and Carolina Beach, you’re likely seeing the highest storm surge. If it’s coinciding with high tide, that’s when you have the biggest flooding,” Panovich said.

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Latest conditions

As of 1 a.m. ET advisory from the National Hurricane Center

LOCATION: ABOUT 40 MILES EAST-NORTHEAST OF WILMINGTON, NC
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 90 MPH 

MOVEMENT: NORTHEAST AT 15 MPH

There was some good news for those that are inland, as Panovich said Dorian wasn’ a major wind event. The impacts were spread further out, but the highest impact was on the immediate coast. 

“Most of the wind gusts in our area were 30-35 mph,” said Panovich.

Dorian was expected to reach the Outer Banks Friday morning, with possible landfall near Hatteras. 

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On Sunday evening, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued mandatory evacuations for people living along the coastline of South Carolina. State troopers began the reversal of all lanes on I-26 out of Charleston Monday morning with evacuations taking effect at 12 p.m. 

“Water, water, water is our concern,” said Panovich, urging anyone told to vacuate to listen. “You run from the water; you hide from the wind.”

RELATED: Mandatory evacuations ordered for entire South Carolina coast, lane reversals for I-26

North Carolina issued a state of emergency ahead of potential impacts from Hurricane Dorian. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster also declared a state of emergency because of the storm threat.

On Saturday, the city of Charleston declared a state of emergency as well to ensure the city was fully prepared for emergency operations. The Municipal Emergency Operations Center activated Sunday at 8 a.m. and will remain open as needed throughout the storm.

INTERACTIVE MAP: Track Hurricane Dorian

By midday Thursday, coastal residents in Georgia and some South Carolina counties were allowed to go home.

Still, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster warned of new dangers ahead.

“Don’t be surprised if there was water in your home. You might have animals, snakes. You don’t know what might be in there, so be very careful as you return,” he said.

Watches and warnings

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for… 

* Cape Fear to Poquoson VA 

* Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds 

* Neuse and Pamlico Rivers 

* Hampton Roads

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for… 

* South Santee River to the North Carolina/Virginia border 

* Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for… 

* Nova Scotia

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

* North Carolina/Virginia border to Fenwick Island DE 

* Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point southward 

* Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island 

* Woods Hole to Sagamore Beach MA 

* Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard MA

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…

 * Prince Edward Island 

* Magdalen Islands

* Fundy National Park to Shediac

* Francois to Boat Harbour

“Residents in these areas should ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place and not focus on the exact forecast track of Dorian’s center,” according to the National Hurricane Center.

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