As Hurricane Dorian gets closer to NC, public schools, including Wake, cancel classes

WRAL Weather Center's interactive hurricane tracker

As Hurricane Dorian gets closer to North Carolina, several public school districts have decided to cancel classes in anticipation of the storm that left several dead in the Bahamas as it inched across the warm Atlantic Ocean waters.

Wake, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Nash, Sampson, Wayne and Wilson counties were placed under a tropical storm warning at 11 a.m. Wednesday until further notice. That means tropical storm conditions, with winds between 39 and 73 mph, are expected within 36 hours.

The National Hurricane Center said in its 11 p.m. Wednesday update that Dorian's maximum sustained winds were up to 115 mph, making it a Category 3 storm. Meteorologist Mike Maze said with the storm moving over warmer water, it was possible Dorian could briefly attain category 3 status before closing in on our state Thursday evening and Thursday night as category 2.

Dorian's track shifted slightly west, and it's forecast to move over or just west of Cape Lookout at 8 a.m. Friday with sustained winds at 100 mph.

By Wednesday evening, the hurricane was moving parallel to the Florida coast at 7 mph.

“It’s a little slower getting here, but then really picks up speed quickly as it moves across the coast of North Carolina,” WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. “That is the best news that we could hope for.”

Duke Energy says Dorian could knock out power to 700,000 in Carolinas

A hurricane warning was in effect for north of the Savannah River in Georgia up to the North Carolina-Virginia border.

A storm surge warning was in effect for north of Port Canaveral, Fla., to the North Carolina-Virginia border, including the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds and the Neuse and Pamlico rivers.

Cape Lookout to Duck could see 4 to 6 feet of storm surge, and water levels could rise before strong winds come, the National Hurricane Center said.

Coastal communities in North Carolina and South Carolina are expected to see 5 to 10 inches of rain, with some areas seeing 15 inches.

The following areas are under evacuation orders:

Situation getting worse as Hurricane Dorian nears Savannah, Ga.

Officials urged people to get to safety before the storm arrives.

"Hurricane Dorian has its sights set on North Carolina. We will be ready, and we will not underestimate the damage this storm can cause," Gov. Roy Cooper said Wednesday. "North Carolinians are used to facing storms, but please don't let familiarity get in the way of good judgment."

Cooper said an 85-year-old Columbus County man was the first Dorian-related death in North Carolina. The man was getting his home ready for the hurricane when he fell off a ladder and died from his injuries, the governor said.

See which NC rivers are expected to flood

"It reminds us that preparation for storms can be a dangerous activity," he said, reminding people to exercise caution before, during and after the storm.

Some coastal residents said they had prepared to stay in their homes through Dorian.

Lumberton preps for Hurricane Dorian by erecting an embankment to hold floodwaters

“You’ve prepared mentally and physically for, how long have we known about Dorian,” one resident said. “So you get all your ducks in a row and just wait and do a lot of praying.”

Davis Beachwear in Atlantic Beach has been open since 1951 and has seen its fair share of hurricanes. On Wednesday morning, the family that owns the shop was boarding it up.

The Dare County Sheriff's Office said people would still be able to access the Outer Banks to secure their property.

Workers at the Sea Foam Motel in Nags Head were readying the building for the storm.

"The occupancy obviously goes down because everybody has to get out of here, try to get ahead of the traffic," Tracey Zimmerman said. "Hopefully, most people will rebook and come back next week."

Nearly 400 North Carolina National Guard troops have been activated to assist with storm response. They are being staged at nine locations and have 138 vehicles and 19 aircraft at their disposal, officials said.

Swift water rescue teams are being moved from central and western North Carolina to the east to be in position for any flash flooding that traps people in their homes or vehicles, said Mike Sprayberry, the state's emergency management director. Other teams are coming from out of state, including one from Vermont, he said.

Dorian devastated parts of the Bahamas, where seven people died as the storm moved through this week.

Residents called the damage “apocalyptic.”

Airports and roads were flooded as rescues began on the islands.