A “homegrown” storm organizing off the Carolina coast could strengthen to tropical storm status as it slowly rolls ashore, fueling days of high winds, downpours and flooding, forecasters warned Sunday.
The National Weather Service office in Morehead City, North Carolina, said details remained uncertain due to the “rapidly evolving” storm that would be named Helene if its sustained winds reach 39 mph.
“Our eyes remain on the approaching low pressure system currently located off the Southeast Coast,” the weather service tweeted Sunday. “Conditions begin to deteriorate today with gusty winds, dangerous marine conditions, minor coastal flooding, and strong rip currents.”
AccuWeather said the heavy rain is forecast to begin across parts of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia as soon as Sunday night. Rain totals over the next few days will reach 4-8 inches in many areas − and could top 20 inches in some locations. Coastal flooding, rip currents and beach erosion could stretch from northeastern Florida to the Delaware, according to AccuWeather.