Authorities have issued a severe tropical storm warning for residents of North and South Carolina as a low pressure system bringing strong winds and rain approaches the coast.
The warning applies to more than two million people in the region.
On Monday morning, the system that could develop into Tropical Storm Helene approached the Carolina coast, bringing winds of up to 50 mph.
Authorities have issued a severe tropical storm warning for residents of North and South Carolina as a low pressure system bringing strong winds and rain approaches the coast.
On Monday morning, the system that could become Tropical Storm Helene approached the Carolina coast, bringing winds of 50 mph.
The weather pattern is officially designated as a potential Cyclone Eight, but has not yet been classified as a tropical or subtropical storm.
Early Monday morning, heavy rains were already lashing the eastern parts of the Carolinas, prompting flash flood warnings.
Howling winds lashed the coast, further agitating the choppy ocean.
Heavy rains were already hitting eastern Carolinas early Monday morning, prompting flash flood warnings
Typically, the heaviest rainfall and winds are experienced at the center of a system. However, this storm is an unusual departure from that trend, with the heaviest rainfall and winds concentrated far from the heart of the system.
According to CNN, this indicates that while the storm is likely to make landfall in South Carolina – somewhere between Charleston and Myrtle Beach – North Carolina will bear the brunt of the weather system.
The National Hurricane Center warned that the system could gain strength before reaching land due to warm Atlantic waters and relatively low wind shear.
It was further reported that the storm could trigger violent tornadoes in the eastern Carolinas.
While the storm will likely make landfall in South Carolina – somewhere between Charleston and Myrtle Beach – North Carolina will bear the brunt of the harsh weather.
The National Hurricane Center warned that the system could gain strength before making landfall due to warm Atlantic waters and comparatively low wind shear.
According to the Weather Prediction Center, there is a level three to four flood risk for locations along the North-South Carolina border on Monday.
However, meteorologists noted that flooding caused by the rain will likely be the storm’s most destructive impact.
According to the Weather Prediction Center, there is a level three to four flood risk for locations along the North-South Carolina border on Monday.
A much higher risk of levels two to four threatens most of North Carolina and much of northern South Carolina.
In areas where heavy rain occurs repeatedly, the probability of sudden flooding is very high.
Meteorologists have determined that flooding caused by rain will likely be the storm’s most destructive impact.
Experts predict that North and South Carolina will see 10 to 20 centimeters of rainfall by Monday night.
Experts expect North and South Carolina to see ten to eight centimeters of rainfall by Monday night.
AccuWeather estimates that some locations could see over 20 inches of rainfall.
It also warned that an area from northeast Florida to Delaware could be affected by flooding, beach erosion and surf backwash.
From the northern coast of South Carolina to the southern parts of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the system is expected to cause a storm surge of up to one meter.
AccuWeather estimates that some locations could see over 20 inches of rainfall
Howling winds also lashed the coast, causing even more turmoil in the stormy ocean
In its latest warning, the National Hurricane Center stated: “The combination of storm surge and high tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be inundated by rising waters moving inland from the coast.”
It continues: “The water level will be highest near the coast and east of the landfall. There the storm surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.”
Although rain is forecast to continue and increase in intensity, experts expect the storm to weaken by mid-week.
If the system develops into a full-blown tropical storm on Monday, it would be the first named storm to make landfall in South Carolina since Hurricane Ian in 2022.
