People were captured kayaking in floodwaters as tropical storm Ophelia wreaked havoc after making landfall in North Carolina.
Rescue crews scrambled to help as many roads were submerged from the intense rainfall. Videos shared on social media showed people struggling and even one person kayaking into the floodwaters on a street in Winterville, North Carolina.
Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall along the North Carolina coast, and continues its inland trek, bringing heavy rains, gusty winds, and the threat of storm surge along its path. The National Hurricane Center issued its latest advisory at 1100am EDT today, tracking Ophelia's movements and updating the associated warnings and watches.
As of the latest NHC report, Ophelia was located about 125 miles NNE of Cape Fear, North Carolina. The storm has maintained maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, with a northward movement at 13 mph. The minimum central pressure was measured at 990 millibars (29.24 inches).
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Tropical Storm Ophelia has made landfall on North Carolina (NHC)Many road closures are being reported as a result of the excessive flooding in areas such as Greenville and Washington, North Carolina. Thousands of people have also been left without power as Dominion Energy reported a total of 12,587 customers remain without power in Virginia and North Carolina due to the tropical storm Ophelia. A downed power pole and lines have prompted road closures and an emergency response in Virginia Beach, Virginia, as a result of the severe weather.
Additionally, it was earlier reported that five people, including three children, were rescued from a sailing vessel Cape Lookout, North Carolina. The US Coast Guard rescued the five people from a 38-foot catamaran anchored in Lookout Bight. The owner of the vessel called for help due to unfavourable weather conditions. All passengers, including three children, were wearing lifejackets. The Coast Guard deployed a Response Boat and a helicopter to safely transfer the passengers to safety. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
Elsewhere, it was reported that a police officer rescued a dog from floodwaters. Greenville Police reported that GPD Officer Shultz rescued a small pit bull, that was tied to a fence and was just inches from drowning. "He is safe from harm now and Animal Protective Services will be conducting a follow-up investigation," the police department said in a Twitter post.
The Tropical Storm Warning has been discontinued from Cape Lookout to Cape Fear in North Carolina, as well as south of Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina, westward along the coast. The Storm Surge Watch from Surf City, North Carolina, to Bogue Inlet has also been discontinued.
Despite these discontinuations, a Storm Surge Warning remains in effect for various areas, including Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina, to Chincoteague, Virginia, and portions of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. A Storm Surge Watch remains in effect for the remainder of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.
Tropical Storm Warnings are still in effect for areas east of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware, as well as Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island, and Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach. A Storm Surge Warning indicates the potential for life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline, while a Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area.
People were struggling through the floodwaters in submerged streets (@BryceShelton01/Twitter)Tropical Storm Ophelia is projected to continue moving northward across eastern North Carolina over southeastern Virginia throughout the day, with a gradual turn toward the northeast expected by Sunday. The system is forecasted to weaken further over the weekend, likely becoming a post-tropical cyclone by Sunday. Ophelia's tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 320 miles from its centre.
The storm surge remains a significant concern, with the combination of storm surge and tide potentially causing flooding in normally dry coastal areas. The National Hurricane Center has issued specific surge height estimates for various regions, including Neuse and Bay Rivers, Pamlico and Pungo Rivers, and Chesapeake Bay.
A person was seen kayaking on a flooded street (@TheShawnHendrix/Twitter)Additionally, heavy rainfall is expected, with parts of eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia anticipated to receive 3 to 5 inches, and isolated higher totals of up to 8 inches through tonight. This could lead to flash flooding, urban flooding, and small stream flooding impacts, especially in the Mid-Atlantic region.
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Swells generated by Ophelia will affect much of the U.S. East Coast, causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. There is also a possibility of tornadoes over parts of the Mid-Atlantic Coast today.
We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and videos on this breaking news story. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story
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