(Friday Sept. 22 morning update) –– As expected, the approaching tropical system continues to develop at a very fast pace. Friday morning's update expanded the forecasted impacts into our state and once again increased our expected wind conditions. Changes to forecasted conditions for Beaufort County have been highlighted below.
Rain
- Rain will continue to move into our area this morning, with widespread rain likely by 11 a.m. These rain conditions are expected to continue through 2 p.m. Saturday with most areas receiving 3 to 4 inches.
- Areas along the Pungo River and east of Aurora may see locally higher amounts of 4 to 6 inches.
- Our heaviest rains are expected to occur between 2 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.
Winds
- North and northeast winds will continue to increase this morning, becoming sustained between 15 and 25 mph with frequent gusts of 25 to 35 mph by noon. These wind conditions are expected to continue 7am Saturday morning.
- Our highest winds are expected to occur between 8 a.m. and noon tomorrow, as the center of the storm approaches our area. Sustained winds are expected to increase to 25+ mph with frequent gusts of 35+ likely.
- Areas along our county’s shorelines and adjacent to vast open farmlands could experience sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with frequent gusts of 40 to 50 possible. This will be especially true for areas along the Pungo River, as well as the Terra Ceia and Hickory Point communities.
- Winds will begin to transition to the West around 4 p.m. Saturday and remain sustained between 15 and 20 mph with frequent gusts of 20 to 30 mph through 11 p.m. Saturday night.
Storm Surge
Our waterways are forecasted to receive 3 to 5 feet of storm surge Friday night through midday Saturday.
*For anyone planning to attend ECU’s home opener in Greenville on Saturday, the current game time forecast is as follows:
Greenville is expected to receive it’s heaviest rains between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday. However, rain chances will begin to diminish around 2 p.m., with 1/10 of an inch expected between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sustained west winds between 10 and 20 mph with gust of 20 to 25 mph are expected between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.*
This will be the final update pertaining to this storm system. We encourage everyone to monitor your local media outlets for additional information and we ask that you assist us by ensuring you, your family, friends and neighbors have a way of being alerted to any watches and / or warnings that may be issued during the overnight hours tonight.
