MIAMI — Tropical storms are expected along part of the U.S. Southeast coast. The system, which is bringing strong winds, heavy rain and possible flooding, is strengthening, meteorologists reported Monday morning.
The storm system is expected to reach the South Carolina coast on Monday afternoon and then move inland across the Carolinas from Monday night through Wednesday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
A tropical storm warning was in effect for Edisto Beach, South Carolina, northward to Ocracoke Inlet, near the southernmost point of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
The low pressure area was centered about 95 miles (155 kilometers) east-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, on Monday morning. It had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph) and was moving toward the northwest at 3 mph (6 kph), meteorologists said.
The system’s chances of becoming a tropical or subtropical cyclone may have decreased because the low pressure area appears less organized and has about 12 hours before it moves inland, the hurricane center said.
Maximum winds are expected to decrease as the low approaches the coast, but tropical storm force winds are still expected in the warning areas. It is likely to dissipate over the Carolinas by Wednesday evening, meteorologists said.
Meteorologists said the storm was expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of rain from northeastern South Carolina to southeastern North Carolina, with up to 10 inches in some areas. The rest of North Carolina is expected to see less rain through Tuesday.
Much of Virginia was expected to receive 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 8 centimeters) of rainfall Monday night through Wednesday, with locally higher amounts. The hurricane center predicted the rainfall could lead to isolated and widespread flash flooding and urban flooding, as well as minor river flooding.
According to meteorologists, the southeast coast may also experience heavy waves in the coming days.