A storm organizing off the Carolina coast is expected to strengthen to tropical storm status, bringing high winds, downpours, and flooding over the next few days. Forecasters warned of rapidly evolving conditions and urged caution as the storm makes its way ashore. The heavy rain is forecast to begin in parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, with rainfall totals potentially reaching 20 inches in some areas. Coastal flooding, rip currents, and beach erosion are also expected along the East Coast.
In other developments, Tropical Storm Gordon was losing strength in the Atlantic, while Ileana weakened to a tropical depression after impacting Mexico’s coast. Cleanup efforts were continuing in Louisiana after Hurricane Francine made landfall as a Category 2 storm.
The Carolina storm is expected to make landfall near the North Carolina coast late Monday, potentially causing power outages and blocking access to barrier islands. If the storm reaches tropical storm status, it will be named. AccuWeather described the storm as a “homegrown development” due to its proximity to the coast, unlike most tropical systems that develop thousands of miles away in the central Atlantic. Residents are advised to stay informed and heed warnings from local officials as the storm approaches.
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