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From Chris Newkirk, Beaufort County Emergency Services:

This morning’s update from the National Weather Service (NWS) has shifted Idalia’s track slightly north and west while also providing us with more details as to the timing of our potential impacts. Changes / additions to the forecast for Beaufort County have been highlighted below.

 

Rain

• Scattered rain will begin to move into our area around 2pm Wednesday with rain likely for all areas of our county by 8pm. A steady rain is expected to continue through 8pm Thursday.
  • Areas north of Hwy 264 and west of Hwy 17 to include the communities of Washington, Old Ford, Pinetown, and Pungo River are forecasted to receive 2 to 3 inches of rain during this time.
  • Areas south and east to include Chocowinity, Blounts Creek, Bath, Belhaven, Pamlico Beach and Aurora are currently forecasted to receive 3 to 5 inches.
• Our heaviest rains are expected to occur during the overnight hours on Wednesday. These passing rain bands could be heavy at times, and capable of producing localized flash flooding. This will be especially true between 2am and 8am Thursday morning.
• Rain should begin to exit our area around 8pm Thursday, with only scattered showers forecasted for Friday.

 

Winds

• Northeast winds will begin to increase after midnight Wednesday, becoming sustained between 15 and 20 mph by 8am Thursday with frequent gust of 30 to 35 mph possible. These wind conditions will continue through noon as Idalia approaches our area.
• NE winds will elevate once again around 12pm as Idalia begins to pass to our south, becoming sustained between 20 and 25 mph with frequent gust of 30 to 40 mph. These wind conditions are expected to continue through 8pm Thursday.
• North and Northeast winds are expected to remain sustained between 15 and 20 mph with frequent gust of 20 to 25 mph through 8pm Saturday.

 

Storm Surge

• 1 to 3 feet of storm surge is forecasted for all of Beaufort County’s waterways through late Saturday night.
  • Areas that are vulnerable to long durations of North / Northeast winds should prepare for at least 3 feet of surge.

 

Severe Storms & Tornados

• As with many tropical weather systems, passing rain bands can result in severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornados. While severe storms are possible for all of Beaufort County Wednesday and Thursday, areas south and east of Belhaven, Bath and Blounts Creek will be at a slightly greater risk than other portions of our county.

 

Please see below and attached briefing from the National Weather Service for additional information.

 

From the National Weather Service, Morehead City:

The tornado threat has increased with Idalia otherwise no big changes to the forecast. Continue to monitor for updates over the next few days.

We remain in a prolonged period of dangerous rip current/surf conditions and beach erosion as Major Hurricane Franklin passes offshore. Localized ocean over wash along the Outer Banks is also possible during this time.

NWS Morehead City Briefing #6 Idalia