Hurricane Dorian: First Storm Death Reported In North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA — The state's first fatality associated with Hurricane Dorian was reported Wednesday after an 85-year-old resident of Columbus County fell from a ladder while preparing his home for the storm, Gov. Roy Cooper said Wednesday.

Hurricane Dorian continued on its track toward the North Carolina coast Wednesday as forecasters warned that the storm’s wrath would bring life-threatening storm surge, high winds, widespread power outages and structural damage.

“Residents of eastern counties will see weather conditions begin to deteriorate later tonight into Thursday as the leading edge of Dorian draws closer to our shores,” Cooper said Wednesday afternoon.

The greatest storm impact will be Thursday, with the center of the storm expected to move northeast of the coast by early Friday afternoon. "Now is the time to make final emergency preparations before the storm's onset," North Carolina Emergency Management said.

The threat of heavy rainfall over eastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina prompted a flash-flooding warning for the regions Wednesday morning. “A high risk exists across portions of the coastal Carolinas, with widespread and significant flooding expected tonight through Friday,” the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said.

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, the eye of the hurricane was about 115 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida. Winds for the category 2 storm, which was advancing at about 9 mph, were clocking about 105 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

When the storm reaches North Carolina, coastal areas could receive up to 15 inches, storm surges up to 4-7 feet and wind gusts up to 115 mph, Cooper said.

North Carolina received a federal declaration of emergency Tuesday evening, which will expedite aid efforts, such a FEMA and military resources, following the storm, he said.

With the expectation of “significant” flash flooding in southeastern North Carolina, state emergency officials increased deployment of National Guard members to 390 soldiers at nine locations around the state, as well as deployed 56 high water vehicles, 19 aircraft, and well swift boat rescue teams.

“Life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds are expected along portions of the Florida east coast and the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, regardless of the exact track of Dorian’s center,” the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday morning. “Water levels could rise well in advance of the arrival of strong winds. Residents in these areas should follow advice given by local emergency officials.”

Tropical storm warnings have been issued for the Georgia coast and storm surge warnings extended from Florida to Surf City, North Carolina, as Hurricane Dorian approaches.

A storm surge watch has been extended northward to Poquoson, Virginia, including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds and the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers. The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning from Savannah River to to Surf City, North Carolina.

A hurricane watch has been extended north of Duck, North Carolina, to the North Carolina/Virginia border.

The hurricane moved toward the Florida coast overnight, and is expected to turn north by Wednesday evening, followed by a turn toward the north-northeast Thursday morning.

“As of 5 a.m., the track for Hurricane Dorian has remained pretty much unchanged for the last 24 hours, where we can start seeing the onset of tropical storm force winds into northwest South Carolina by 8 a.m. Thursday,” The National Weather Service in Wilmington, NC said Wednesday morning. “The storm will continue to progress through the day Thursday into the southeast North Carolina, where by Thursday 8 p.m. the odds of tropical storm force winds will be felt for North Carolina as well.”

While much of the state will be blanketed by rain between Wednesday and Friday, the heaviest will be seen along the coast, where 10 inches or more is expected. Further inland in central North Carolina, less than three inches of rain is expected with Charlotte and Greensboro likely seeing an inch or less, forecasters said.

Evacuations began in coastal areas of the Carolinas on Monday. North Carolina's governor said Tuesday morning that while localized and voluntary evacuations had been initiated, the state would be issuing a mandatory evacuation of all barrier islands.

"We know it takes time to get people off these barrier islands so we want to begin the process now," Cooper said.

Tourists visiting the Cape Lookout National Seashore off the coast of Beaufort, North Carolina, were ordered to evacuate by Tuesday morning, according to the National Park Service. "In advance of Hurricane Dorian's arrival, the park is initiating evacuations of the barrier islands and closure of park facilities and services," park officials said.

In Dare County, mandatory evacuations for all visitors and tourists also begin Tuesday, Sept. 3; for Dare County residents, mandatory evacuations take effect at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, officials with the county's Emergency Management department said.

Rough surf and dangerous currents spawned from the hurricane are believed to have already claimed a life along the North Carolina coast, after a 61-year-old man drowned near Hatteras Village Sunday evening, according to the Charlotte Observer. A witness spotted the man, who was not wearing a flotation device, in distress while he was swimming. Rescuers attempted to resuscitate the man but "CPR efforts were unsuccessful," NPS said in a statement.

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Dorian: List Of Emergency Shelters Open In NC
• Early Voting Urged In NC Special Elections As Hurricane Advances
• Hurricane Dorian: How NC Residents Can Prepare
• Gas Shortages Reported In SC Amid Hurricane Evacuations
• Charlotte Speedway Campground Opens To Hurricane Evacuees
• Tourists Evacuated From NC Barrier Islands Ahead Of Hurricane

WATCH: Video taken by evacuating Ocracoke resident as ferry leaves the harbor

Patch Editor Tim Darnell contributed.