Tropical Storm Ophelia started as a coastal storm that forecasters had been monitoring for tropical characteristics. As predicted, the system strengthened to a tropical storm and made landfall in North Carolina on Saturday morning.
Impacts of Ophelia
According to the National Hurricane Center, Ophelia hit near Emerald Island, North Carolina just after 6:20am, bringing maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. To be considered a Category 1 hurricane, winds must reach at least 74 mph.
Ophelia strengthened to tropical storm strength around 2pm on Friday, promoting tropical storm and storm surge warnings along the coast. North Carolina and Virginia were already feeling the effects of the storm even before it hit with rising coastal waters, strong winds, and rain.