Ophelia Drenched N.C., Minor Damages Reported

After drenching the southeast coast of North Carolina and cutting off power to 100,000 homes, Hurricane Ophelia has been downgraded to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. Ophelia’s winds and rain knocked down trees and flooded roads in North Carolina but spared lives.

The governor issued an evacuation order as Ophelia approached the state and residents heeded his advice and evacuated to higher ground. Some homes and boats were damaged here-and-there, but overall North Carolina weathered the storm.

At 11 am EDT a tropical storm warning is in effect from Watch Hill, R.I. to Plymouth, Mass. Including Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for southwestern Nova Scotia from Yarmouth to Lunenberg.

The tropical storm warning has been discontinued along the North Carolina coast.

The center of Tropical Storm Ophelia was 70 miles east-northeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. and 450 miles south-southwest of Nantucket, Mass. near latitude 35.7 north, longitude 74.4 west.

Ophelia is moving toward the north-northeast near 8 mph with a turn toward the northeast and an increase in forward speed is expected during the next 24 hours.

Tides of 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels are expected in the warning area in areas of onshore flow. Above normal tides along the North Carolina coast should subside today.

Total rainfall accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are possible across portions of southeastern New England.