Tropical Storm Ophelia , September 23, 2023
Tropical Storm Ophelia strengthened as it approached the East Coast on Saturday, September 23, lashing parts of the region with heavy rain and strong winds ahead of its expected landfall in North Carolina.
The storm’s core was 25 miles southwest of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, at five in the morning. ET, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. Ophelia was moving at about 9 mph, and it was expected to trek north along the East Coast over the weekend as it weakens after landfall.
Ophelia had already caused significant flooding and power disruptions in certain areas of Virginia and North Carolina.
Residents were encouraged to leave low-lying regions since the storm surge was predicted to reach up to 7 feet in some places.
“This is a dangerous storm, and we need to take it seriously,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said at a press conference Friday. “We are urging people to evacuate if they are in an area that is at risk of flooding or storm surge.”
Devastating winds and torrential rain were expected to be experienced by other East Coast regions, including as Delaware, Maryland, and New York. The required safety precautions should be taken and residents were urged to monitor the storm’s progress.
Safety tips
Here are some safety tips to keep in mind during a tropical storm:
- Evacuate if you are ordered to do so by local officials.
- If you are unable to evacuate, find a safe place to stay indoors, away from windows and doors.
- Secure loose objects around your home and yard.
- Listen to the radio or watch television for storm updates.
- Have a plan in place in case your power goes out or you need to evacuate.
