A tornado watch is in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday for coastal North Carolina.
Wilmington is forecast to get between 10 to 15 inches of rain – roughly two months' worth – through Friday due to Tropical Storm Debby, according to WRAL meteorologists. The biggest threat along North Carolina's coast is flooding and storm surge.
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A tropical storm warning is in effect for the North Carolina coast from North Topsail Beach north to Ocracoke, which means that tropical storm conditions and serious flooding are expected.
A storm surge of 1 to 3 feet is expected along the coast, but it isn't high enough to trigger a storm surge warning.
Ocean Isle Beach has already seen flooding this week, with more rain on the way.
On Wednesday morning, water on the roads at Ocean Isle Beach was ankle-deep. At an emergency town meeting in Ocean Isle Beach, authorities issued a State of Emergency and ordered a voluntary evacuation of the town. Several other towns, including Holden Beach and Oak Island, also ordered voluntary evacuations.
"I'm seeing an angry ocean," said Robb Sobota, who is visiting Ocean Isle from Wilmington. "The rain has been significant. I was just driving down to check on some friends on Concord street and the street is completely flooded."
Several tornado warnings were issued on Tuesday and Wednesday as the early impacts from Debby were felt at the coast. Many visitors, like Dan Cook from upstate New York, decided to ride out the storms, despite several beach towns ordering voluntary evacuations.
Outer Banks hazards
In the Outer Banks, drivers were urged to use caution around the hours of high tide along vulnerable areas of N.C. Highway 12 from Wednesday through Friday, particularly at the northern end of Ocracoke Island, due to the potential for ocean overwash. Low-lying areas of N.C. 12 on Hatteras Island are likely to contain several inches of standing water, according to Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Authorities in Brunswick County closed U.S. Highway 17, citing impassable waters.
Visitors Rodanthe were urged to avoid the beach between the north end of Rodanthe and South Shore Drive, due to the potential for small-to-large pieces of house debris on the beach during and after the storm conditions.
Swimming is not recommended, as dangerous rip currents are forecast to be a threat through this weekend.