Forecast models have Hurricane Irma on a distinct westward track, which means Beaufort County residents can breathe a sigh of relief, according to Beaufort County Emergency Services Director Chris Newkirk.

“It looks — based on what we’re seeing from the forecast — it looks like we’re dodging another bullet,” Newkirk said. “We’ll take all of those we can get.”

Friday’s 9 a.m. briefing at the county’s Emergency Operations Center saw such an improved forecast for eastern North Carolina that Beaufort County Emergency Management has now fallen back to observing the Category 4 hurricane on a path to hit southern Florida over the weekend.

“We’re at a point now where we’re scaling back our response, but we’re still monitoring,” Newkirk said.

As of Friday afternoon, Newkirk said the impact Beaufort County can expect from Hurricane Irma’s northwestward track is rain and light wind: 1-2 inches of rain staring Monday night, through Tuesday, along with winds of 15-20 mph.

“The good thing is that these models keep tracking it west,” Newkirk said. “The further it moves west of us, if this keeps shifting, we may have sunny skies all next week.”

Newkirk said the Category 4 Hurricane Jose, located further out in the Atlantic Ocean, is now forecasted to head out to sea — also good news for eastern North Carolina.

Though Beaufort County is no longer on watch, Newkirk pointed out that the height of hurricane season has just arrived.

“A lot of people, citizens and departments alike, have put in a lot of preparation over the last 72 hours, and let’s maintain that readiness. … Let’s maintain this state of readiness we’re in right now and carry this through the season, so we’re prepared for whatever might be headed our way,” Newkirk said. “While we are celebrating this — remember, our good fortune is some else’s misfortune. So, let’s keep others who are being impacted in our thoughts and prayers.”