Good evening,

• Scattered showers and storms will remain possible this evening, largely dissipating after sunset. Any storms that develops could contain heavy downpours, resulting in isolated to scattered areas of flash flooding. The greatest risk will be across the mountains and into the western Piedmont.

• Since this morning’s update, Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for areas south of Surf City with Tropical Storm Watches in effect for the remainder of the NC coast. The timing of impacts has remained similar, with the heaviest rainfall expected late Wednesday – Thursday.
• The latest rainfall forecast has expanded the greatest rainfall totals farther inland across much of the Coastal Plain and into the Sandhills, where 5-8” with locally higher totals will be possible. 3-5” is forecast across southeastern parts of the Triangle and Charlotte Metro with 1-3” possible along the I-85 corridor. A Flood Watch has been issued for areas along and southeast of the I-85 corridor Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening where scattered to numerous areas of flash flooding will be possible.
• A Storm Surge Watch has been issued from Beaufort Inlet to Drum Inlet as well as the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers, as these areas could see 2-4' of inundation. Areas south of Beaufort Inlet and north of Drum Inlet to Duck could see 1-3’ of inundation, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide.
• Gusty winds will start to ramp up Wednesday night, with the strongest gusts 40-55 mph possible along the coast Thursday as Idalia makes its closest approach. Gusty winds combined with saturated soils could result in downed trees and power outages. A few tornadoes will also be possible across southeastern NC Wednesday night – Thursday morning.

• While late Thursday and Friday will feature clearing conditions, additional strong northeasterly gusts along the northern half of the coast will be possible as Idalia exits. This could result in ocean overwash for the northern Outer Banks and soundside flooding concerns along the southern Pamlico sound and Neuse River.

Please let me know if you have any questions. The next NCEM Hazardous Weather Update will be sent by 9am Wednesday morning.

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