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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT

Hurricane Irma Forecast Changes, Slides West

NWS
Updated 9/8 at 3:35 PM

It now appears that Hurricane Irma will head north by northwest, and not hit the Cape Fear region. The latest track has the powerful storm moving west after a direct hit on Florida this weekend. 

The National Weather Service reports we’ll see some rain on Monday and Tuesday, but the hurricane that has been on the minds of many this week will not travel up the coast.

Reid Hawkins of the National Weather Service’s Wilmington station says the storm will move northwest.

“The forecast has been sliding to the west. And it should be moving northward through Florida and then a slight northwest track into Georgia.”

Minor coastal flooding is possible along area beaches with each high tide beginning Sunday morning. The National Weather Service also advises residents in the region that uncertainty still remains, and no one should let their guard down. The storms course could still change.

Also from the National Weather Service:

-      Uncertainty still remains and we can’t let our guard down yet, but it is becoming increasingly likely that Irma will make a turn that takes the track across the FL Peninsula Saturday night into Monday.

-      A track across FL would mean less in the way of impacts for this part of the Carolinas, but it is cautioned again that we can’t let our guard down at this time.

-      Rainfall amounts of 1” - 5” are possible, with the higher amounts expected generally south of a Florence to Myrtle Beach line. Some areas could receive flooding as a result especially since some areas across northeast SC are 125 to 150% above normal rainfall over the last 14 days.

-      Minor coastal flooding is possible along area beaches with each high tide beginning Sunday morning, and subsequently with each high tide through Monday. Minor coastal flooding is possible at downtown Wilmington with each high tide as well.

-      Hazardous maritime conditions are expected along with large breakers in the surf & strong rip currents. Winds in the gradient between high pressure to the north & Irma to the south will initially result in increasing winds across the coastal waters Saturday into Sunday from a northeasterly direction with possible Gales. Tropical storm force may develop Sunday & Monday for the adjacent Atlantic waters south of Cape Fear