FROM WSJSTAFF REPORTS
Isaias strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane on Monday night, making landfall near Ocean Isle Beach, the National Hurricane Center reports.
Flash floods, storm surges and even tornadoes are possible, the National Hurricane Center said. And the storm is expected to weaken only slowly after it makes landfall, posing a continued threat inland.
At 11 p.m. Eastern time, the storm was about 50 miles southwest of Wilmington with sustained maximum winds of 85 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. A hurricane warning was issued from the South Santee River in South Carolina to Surf City.
Gov. Roy Cooper urged North Carolinians on Monday to properly prepare for Tropical Storm Isaias.
The center of Isaias is projected to drive inland over North Carolina on Monday night, according to the National Hurricane Center forecast.
Rainfall will range from 3 to 6 inches in most areas, with a few areas getting up to 8 inches — enough to produce flash flooding. Widespread power outages are expected.
“I know that North Carolinians have had to dig deep in recent months to tap into our strength and resilience during the pandemic, and that hasn’t been easy,” he said during a press briefing, “but with this storm on the way, we have to dig a little deeper.”
