Tropical Storm Ophelia Hits North Carolina Coast

On Sep 23, 2023

TL/DR –

Tropical Storm Ophelia has made landfall on the East Coast, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and coastal flooding. The storm has resulted in power outages to over 70,000 homes and businesses across North Carolina and the mid-Atlantic, a storm surge flooding of over 3 feet in costal North Carolina, states of emergencies declared in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland, and the postponement of Major League Baseball games. The storm, which had 70 mph sustained winds upon making landfall, is predicted to weaken as it moves inland but could still cause more power outages and continues to bring heavy rainfall to the mid-Atlantic states.

Tropical Storm Ophelia Impacts East Coast with Heavy Rain and Flooding

Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, causing heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding across the East Coast.

Key Impacts of the Storm

The storm’s effects include:

Over 70,000 homes and firms experienced power outages in North Carolina and the mid-Atlantic, as per PowerOutage.us.
Storm surge flooding of over 3 feet was witnessed in coastal North Carolina.
Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland declared states of emergency.
Two MLB games were postponed.

Ophelia made landfall with 70 mph sustained winds, just below hurricane strength. The storm had 50 mph winds as of 11 a.m. and will likely weaken as it travels inland. However, power outages may increase as it affects more regions. Track the storm here.

Ophelia is predicted to cross eastern North Carolina, pass through southeastern Virginia, and then head north across the Delmarva Peninsula over the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Further Threats and Precautions

Two Major League Baseball games scheduled for Saturday were postponed due to the threat of rain. The Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals will replay their game on Sunday, while the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees have yet to announce a rescheduled date.

Coastal regions in North Carolina are experiencing the most severe effects as the storm moves into the state. Storm surge flooded coastal areas and inlets in North Carolina overnight, and winds gusting to 73 mph hit Cape Lookout, along the state’s Outer Banks.

Communities along North Carolina’s coast began experiencing flooding on Friday. In coastal Cedar Island, water collected on Highway 12, although it remained open and passable, stated the state transportation department.

In New Bern, North Carolina, roads flooded and water creeped inland, as per city officials on Facebook. Water levels rose overnight in the Chesapeake Bay, along the coasts of Virginia and Maryland. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore urged residents to avoid being out during the storm.

Ophelia’s Expected Threats Over the Weekend

Ophelia will likely cause heavy rainfall in eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia, with some areas receiving between 3 and 5 inches of rain. Other states in the Mid-Atlantic could collect 2 to 4 inches. An additional 1 to 3 inches of rain are forecast for southern New York through southern New England starting Saturday into Monday.

Coastal threats include surge flooding of 1 to 5 feet in some areas, particularly in inlets and rivers from around Surf City, North Carolina, to the Virginia Tidewater. The storm is also expected to cause dangerous surf and rip currents along the East Coast over the weekend.

Strong and gusty winds will impact a wide area of the East Coast throughout Saturday. Winds will lessen over time, but stronger gusts could down trees and power lines. The storm might also spawn a few tornadoes in parts of the coastal mid-Atlantic and North Carolina.