Tropical Storm Isaias live updates: Storm strengthens as it heads toward North Carolina
Click here for live updates on the storm for Monday, Aug. 3.
Parts of North Carolina are under a hurricane watch Sunday evening as much of the state braces for Isaias.
Isaias has remained a tropical storm since being downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane Saturday evening but has since regained some strength and is expected to be “near hurricane strength” when it reaches the coast of North Carolina on Monday night, the National Hurricane Center said in a 5 p.m. update Sunday.
A hurricane watch is in effect from South Santee River in South Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina.
A tropical storm warning is in effect from Sebastian Inlet in Florida to Ocracoke Inlet on the Outer Banks, and a watch is in effect north of Ocracoke Inlet. A storm surge warning is in effect from Edisto Beach, South Carolina, to Cape Fear in North Carolina, and a watch is in effect from Cape Fear to Duck.
Between 2 and 4 feet of surge is possible in the warning area, and 1 to 3 feet is possible in the watch area.
The tropical storm watch also includes parts of central North Carolina, including Wake, Johnston, Harnett and Franklin counties, The News & Observer reports.
A warning indicates tropical storm conditions are expected in the area within 36 hours. A watch means they are possible within 48 hours
Isaias is expected to reach southern North Carolina on Monday night and should weaken slowly after making landfall, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. update.
Tropical-storm force winds — which range from 39 to 73 mph — could reach the state by 8 p.m. Monday. That’s about 12 hours later than previous predictions from the National Hurricane Center, as the storm has slowed.
Wind speeds are expected to be strongest in the eastern half of the state, ranging from 50 to 60 mph, forecasters say.
Central and parts of Eastern North Carolina are also under a flash flood watch starting Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service says.
The storm is expected to dump 3 to 6 inches of rain over North Carolina, with 8 inches possible in isolated areas, forecasters say.
The heaviest rainfall is expected east of and along Interstate 95, the National Weather Service says.
Flash and urban flooding will be possible through the middle of the week along Isaias’s path, the National Hurricane Center says. Widespread minor and isolated river flooding is possible in parts of the Carolinas.
The storm is also expected to bring dangerous swells the Southeast coast over the next couple days, potentially causing life-threatening surf conditions and rip currents.
Tornadoes are also possible along Eastern North Carolina starting Monday evening.
Some areas could see power outages and road closures.
Where is the storm now?
As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Isaias was about 65 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, and 410 miles south of Myrtle Beach. It was moving north, northwest at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.
It’s expected to turn toward the north, northeast Monday and Tuesday as it picks up speed.
Tropical-storm force winds extend 115 miles from the Isaias’s center.
Changes in the storm’s strength are possible over the next 36 hours but it’s expected to be a strong tropical storm when it reaches North Carolina, forecasters said in the 5 p.m. update.
Evacuations in NC
Parts of North Carolina are under evacuation orders.
Dare County on the Outer Banks issued a mandatory evacuation for visitors on Hatteras Island starting at noon Saturday and for residents and property owners starting at 6 a.m. Sunday.
Ocracoke Island, Holden Beach and Ocean Isle beach are also already under evacuation orders.
Cape Lookout National Seashore is also closed and Cape Hatteras National Seashore will close Sunday.
Other areas on the coast have urged residents to prepare an emergency kit — including enough water, nonperishable food and clothes to last three days. Flash lights, a radio, spare batteries, rain gear, blankets and any necessary medicine are also recommended.
Ferries had evacuated 1,580 vehicles and 3,335 people from Ocracoke to Hatteras, Cedar Island and Swan Quarter as of noon Sunday, officials said. NCDOT plans to stop ferries on the Pamlico Sound on Sunday afternoon and make a final run between Ocracoke to Hatteras at 10:30 a.m. Monday.
Additionally, swift water rescue teams are being sent to the National Guard Armory in Williamston from the Triangle in case they’re needed in low-lying areas.
This story was originally published August 2, 2020 at 5:46 AM with the headline "Tropical Storm Isaias live updates: Storm strengthens as it heads toward North Carolina."
