The majority of Beaufort County's significant weather impacts from Hurricane Idalia, to include heavy rains capable of producing flash flooding and possible tornados will occur during the overnight hours tonight (Wednesday, Aug. 30) and early Thursday morning. Please ensure that you, your family, friends and neighbors have a way of being alerted to any watches and/or warnings that may be issued tonight. (Weather radios, push notifications from local media outlets activated on cell phones and other devices, etc.) Please DO NOT go to sleep tonight with these warning devices silenced or on vibrate.
Here's a look at the updated forecast, including new information from the National Weather Service:
Rain
- Scattered rain is expected to continue Wednesday evening with rain likely for all areas of our county by 11 p.m. A steady rain is expected to continue through 2 p.m. Thursday with 4 to 6 inches of rain expected during this time. (Localized higher amounts are possible, especially for the southeastern portion of our county to include Blounts Creek, Edwards and Aurora.
- Our heaviest rains are expected to occur between 2 a.m and 8 a.m. Thursday morning. These passing rain bands could be heavy at times, and capable of producing localized flash flooding.
- Rain should begin to exit our area by 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon, with no rain forecasted for Friday.
Winds
- A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Beaufort County.
- Northeast winds will begin to increase around 1 a.m. Thursday morning and quickly become sustained between 20 and 25 mph with frequent gusts of 30 to 40 mph by 4 a.m. These wind conditions are expected to continue through 7 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
- North and Northeast winds are expected to remain sustained between 10 and 20 mph with frequent gusts of 20 to 25 mph through 7 p.m. Friday.
Storm Surge
A Storm Surge Watch has been issued for Beaufort County’s waterways. Our coastlines are now forecasted to receive 2 to 4 feet of storm surge between noon Thursday and late Friday morning.
Areas that are vulnerable to long durations of north/northeast winds such as the western shoreline of the Pungo River and southern shoreline of the Pamlico River should prepare for at least 4 feet of surge during this time.
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 through 9 a.m. Thursday, areas south and east of Belhaven, Bath and Blounts Creek will be at a slightly greater risk than other portions of our county.
View the latest briefing from the National Weather Service's Newport/Morehead City Office
