A tropical depression over the southeast Atlantic strengthed overnight and the National Weather Service says the 15th tropical storm of the 2023 season has a 70% chance of forming into a hurricane in the next 48 hours.
With 50 mph sustained winds, the storm appears to be headed for landfall in the area of North Carolina. Winds picked up from a sustained wind speed of 40 mph on Thursday.
– As of 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday, September 22, the developing low-pressure system known as Sixteen has strengthened, with its center located near 30.5 latitude and -75.0 longitude. The storm is moving north at 14 mph, featuring a minimum central pressure of 1000 mb and maximum sustained winds of about 50 mph.
A Storm Surge Warning is currently in effect for Duck, North Carolina, to Chincoteague, Virginia, including Chesapeake Bay south of Windmill Point, the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers, and portions of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for areas ranging from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaware, as well as Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island, and Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach.
A Storm Surge Watch extends from Surf City to Duck, North Carolina, Chesapeake Bay north of Windmill Point to Smith Point, Tidal Potomac south of Colonial Beach, and the remainder of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.
A Storm Surge Warning indicates a high risk of life-threatening inundation from rising waters moving inland from the coastline within the next 36 hours. Those within the warned areas should heed local officials’ advice for evacuation and take immediate action to protect life and property.
A Tropical Storm Warning signifies that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within 36 hours. Residents in these locations should prepare for dangerous weather conditions and follow local instructions promptly.