Hurricane Irma Will Downgrade To Tropical Storm By North Carolina Landfall: NWS

CHARLOTTE, NC — Hurricane Irma is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reaches North Carolina and the Charlotte metro area, National Weather Service forecasters said Thursday afternoon.

Tropical storm hazards are possible in the Charlotte area and across the state by Monday as the remnants of Irma push through the area, bringing excessive rainfall and damaging wind gusts, NWS said in a hazardous weather outlook Thursday. Tropical storm hazards could stretch into Tuesday, Sept. 12, it added.

The 2 p.m. forecast released by the National Weather Service Thursday shows the Carolinas will begin to feel the tropical storm-force winds of Irma by Monday, Sept. 11, with the center of the storm bringing sustained winds up to 73 miles per hour to the upstate of South Carolina and the Charlotte metro region by Tuesday morning at 8 a.m.

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Governors in both South Carolina and North Carolina declared a state of emergency for their states Wednesday in preparation of the storm’s arrival. Six Georgia counties on the coast are also under a state of emergency.

“There is a lot we still don’t know about this storm, but we do know that North Carolina can expect to feel some sort of effects as soon as early next week, and now is the time to get prepared," North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Wednesday. "Wherever you live in North Carolina – from the mountains to the piedmont to the coast – you need to take this storm seriously, and you need to start preparing for some type of impact.”

North Carolina Emergency Management officials said Thursday that the state could expect these conditions over the weekend and leading into next week:

• Sunday (Sept. 10) -- Most of the state will remain dry, with scattered showers and storms possible along the southeast coast. Heavy surf and rip currents possible.
• Sunday night -- Shower and thunderstorm coverage will increase over southeastern North Carolina. Tropical storm conditions possible along the far southeast coast.
• Monday and Tuesday (Sept. 11-12) -- Tropical storm conditions possible across the entire state. Specific impacts will be dependent on the track of Irma. Strong winds, several inches of rain, brief tornadoes and coastal hazards will be possible.
• Wednesday (Sept. 13) -- Depending on rainfall amounts, river flooding may persist.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Images via the National Weather Service, NC Emergency Management

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