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Hurricane Isaias makes landfall in North Carolina Hurricane Isaias lashes Carolinas amid warnings of life-threatening surges
(about 4 hours later)
Hurricane Isaias has blasted ashore in North Carolina, crossing the coast 40 miles (65km) south-west of Wilmington. Hurricane Isaias has blasted ashore in North Carolina, battering coastal areas with heavy rains and winds of up to 85mph (140km/h).
It made landfall at 23:10 EDT (03:10 GMT on Tuesday) with maximum sustained winds of 85mph (140km/h), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. It made landfall near the border with South Carolina at 23:10 EDT (03:10 GMT Tuesday), causing flooding and leaving thousands of homes without power.
Isaias was downgraded to a tropical storm after hitting islands in the Caribbean, but was recategorised as a category-one hurricane on Monday. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of "the danger of life-threatening storm surge".
It caused the deaths of two people in the Caribbean. The storm is now headed towards Virginia, New Jersey and New York.
Isaias is the ninth named storm of the year. The NHC warned earlier Isaias would cause heavy rainfall, resulting in "widespread minor to moderate river flooding" and flash floods in the eastern Carolinas and mid-Atlantic as it moves along the US East Coast. Isaias - the ninth named storm of the year - was downgraded to a tropical storm after hitting islands in the Caribbean last week, but was recategorised as a category-one hurricane as it approached the Carolinas on Monday.
In north-eastern South Carolina and southern North Carolina, officials said there was "danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation along portions of the immediate coastline and adjacent waterways". The NHC says it is now moving quickly up the eastern seaboard.
Surges along the eastern seaboard could reach up to 5ft (1.5m) with over 8in (20cm) of rainfall, while tropical storm force winds and gusts will also reach up to the Chesapeake Bay region. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, who on Friday declared a state of emergency, urged residents to be on the alert.
Over the weekend the storm scraped by Florida and by early Monday its centre was off the coast of South Carolina. "North Carolinians have had to dig deep in recent months to tap into our strength and resilience during the pandemic," he said on Monday.
In the Dominican Republican and Puerto Rico, Isaias killed at least two people. It uprooted trees, destroyed crops and homes and caused flooding and landslides.
Isaias is headed for popular tourist destinations in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina. Tornado warnings are also in effect until Tuesday.
It is projected to weaken after making landfall but, further north, New York City is preparing for storm surges as well.
State officials in regions preparing for hurricanes this season have also been grappling with opening shelters that comply with social distancing regulations.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper - who on Friday declared a state of emergency - urged residents during a news conference on Monday to be on the alert and stay safe.
"North Carolinians have had to dig deep in recent months to tap into our strength and resilience during the pandemic.
"But with this storm on the way, we have to dig a little deeper. Let's keep each other safe from the wind and water as well as from the virus.""But with this storm on the way, we have to dig a little deeper. Let's keep each other safe from the wind and water as well as from the virus."
Mr Cooper said the state was also equipped to open storm shelters where people can socially distance. Mr Cooper said the state was equipped to open storm shelters where people could socially distance.
Isaias was later downgraded to a tropical storm. However, further north, New York City is preparing for storm surges.
State officials in regions preparing for hurricanes this season have also been grappling with opening shelters that comply with social distancing regulations.
Over the weekend the storm churned past Florida.
In the Dominican Republican and Puerto Rico, Isaias killed at least two people. It uprooted trees, destroyed crops and homes and caused flooding and landslides.
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