[Update: Hurricane Idaila gained speed overnight into a Category 4 but has since downgraded to a Category 3. It is expected to make landfall in Florida around 8 a.m. The coastal Carolinas are now under a tropical storm warning, as of 5 a.m. Wednesday.]
SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — The National Weather Service announced a tropical storm watch for the Carolinas coast, from Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, to Surf City, North Carolina, due to the impact of Hurricane Idalia.
READ MORE: Idalia projected to bring tropical storm conditions to Carolinas
The storm reached Category 1 hurricane status early Tuesday morning and is expected to become a Category 2 by afternoon. It’s sustained winds are 80 miles-per-hour but are expected to gain steam up to 125 miles per hour as it moves through the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and approaches the panhandle of Florida by Tuesday afternoon.
It’s expected to land in Florida’s Big Bend area in Dixie and Taylor counties, where the panhandle meets the peninsula and includes Tampa Bay. The Sunshine State is under an emergency evacuation and hurricane warning.
As Idalia moves across the state, it’s expected to turn up the Atlantic coast and reach the Carolinas by Wednesday night into Thursday. Its impact will be determined by its track; however, winds are expected to be more than 40 miles per hour with gusts reaching up to 50 or so miles per hour.
“Very strong winds will cause hazardous seas that could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility,” according to an announcement from NWS.
It’s advised for mariners to port, tie up or store away vessels for security, and residents secure mobile items in their yards and cut back trees or foliage to avoid property damage.
Tornado and waterspout risks have increased slightly from Tuesday’s update, the most substantial happening south of Burgaw to Florence, South Carolina. With it comes an increasing possibility of power outages. Duke Energy is preparing by putting 5,000 linemen in place to respond.
Gov. Roy Cooper has also declared a state of emergency in North Carolina to activate emergency operations. It waives transportation rules that help carry fuel and supplies to needed areas.
“We are continuing to monitor Idalia’s course and its potential impacts on our state and it’s critical to make sure we are fully prepared,” Cooper said in a press release. “It is important for North Carolinians to gather emergency kits and prepare for the storm before it’s too late. We also want to make sure our farmers are able to protect their crops.”
An emergency kit should include water, food, medications, working battery-operated devices, among other items found here.
Strong rip currents will come from the storm, compacted further by Hurricane Franklin in the Atlantic, 370 miles west-southwest of Bermuda and moving northeast as of Tuesday morning. Swimmers are advised to steer clear of the water.
Flags at some area beaches are already flying red from Surf City to Oak Island, forewarning visitors of high surf and dangerous currents.
The Brunswick County beach town already has pulled up its mobi mats, which allow for accessibility for handicap-assistive beach-goers. Oak Island pier will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
In close proximity, the coastal town of Southport has announced closures of its city pier and dock, all city parks and the Riverwalk, to begin at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. As well, it’s Aug. 31 board of aldermen special meeting and homeless forum is canceled.
Further south in Ocean Isle Beach, the town has suspended its ordinance on overnight parking in public areas.
The North Carolina Ferry System, trafficking visitors from Southport to Carolina Beach and Bald Head Island, also anticipates scheduling impacts. Routes could be suspended should weather conditions worsen. (The ferry notification system can be accessed here.)
Into New Hanover County, the Town of Carolina Beach has announced customers that normally receive trash pick up on Thursdays will have to wait, with collection occurring next week. It’s also closing Freeman Park at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 30, until further notice.
It also has placed barricades along Canal Drive as tidal flooding already has started.
In nearby Kure Beach, generators are running on lift stations and wells, and public works continues to inspect and clean stormwater systems.
Snow’s Cut Bridge leading onto Pleasure Island will be open for the duration of the storm unless sustained winds of more than 45 miles per hour are reported.
The Heide Trask Bridge leading into Wrightsville will not close unless there are mandated evacuations, which is not the case with Idalia.
The Town of Wrightsville Beach is offering free sand to residents and businesses, though they must bring their own bags to fill. The sand is located from the farmers’ market field in the municipal complex.
Over in Pender County, the Town of Topsail Beach announced trash pick-up will be rescheduled to Wednesday and the bulk item pick-up on Friday is canceled. All temporary signage in the right-of-way should be removed by noon Wednesday.
Nearby in Surf City, where a state of emergency has been put into effect, crews have been pulling up ramps to area beaches, due to expected high tides.
Hurricanes Franklin and Idalia will affect the Atlantic simultaneously, plus it’s a supermoon event and king tides — exceptionally high tides that occur during a new or full moon — are anticipated through Monday.
High tides during Idalia’s arrival will happen Wednesday at 8 p.m. and Tuesday at 8 a.m. The tide is expected to rise between 5 and 6 feet, according to the NOAA.
Overall, storm surge inundation of 1 to 3 feet above ground level is anticipated, at most risk during high tides on Wednesday and Thursday.
Heavy rainfall — 4 to 8 inches — will add to flooding conditions in low-lying areas. Motorists should not drive through standing water nor should individuals wade in it due to possible contamination.
Anyone with electric vehicles or battery-operated devices — golf carts, lawn equipment, computers etc. — should protect the machinery from flood-prone places and ensure all Lithium-Ion-powered devices are secured from saltwater flood risks.
As of now, Idalia’s track has it moving out to sea off the coast of North Carolina by Thursday evening.
According to the National Weather Service, minor flooding could take place later in the week at the Northeast Cape Fear River near Burgaw.
The next update from the National Weather Service is anticipated this evening; find out more here.
The governor and state officials advise the following tips for storm preparedness:
- Have multiple ways to receive emergency information, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on a cell phone and download a weather app.
- Have an emergency plan. Know where to go if there’s a need to evacuate. Make a plan to stay with family, friends or at a hotel. Public shelters should be a last resort.
- Gather some emergency supplies or refresh an emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit.
- If people live near or are visiting the coast, be aware if you are located in a coastal evacuation zone. Visit KnowYourZone.nc.gov to see if you are located in a pre-determined evacuation zone. Learn your zone and listen for it if evacuations are ordered by local governments.
- Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn around, don’t drown.
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