Isaias forecast to reach hurricane strength, make landfall in Myrtle Beach Monday

The 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center shows Isaias will reach top winds of 70 mph before quickly moving north across the Interstate 95 corridor.

Counties from the Triangle eastward are under a tropical storm warning, where 3 to 6 inches of rain and tropical storm force winds are likely, and storm surge warnings are in effect for the entire coast.

While thunderstorms and rain are likely all afternoon, WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said conditions will deteriorate in central North Carolina around midnight.

'Better than expected': Impacts from Isaias minimal in Fayetteville

"This is going to be pretty dangerous since it is happening while people are sleeping," Wilmoth said.

WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said Tropical Storm Isaias is moving very quickly -- which is good, because heavy rain won't sit in one place for a long period of time like it did with Florence and Matthew.

"This is a fast-moving storm," Gardner said. "It will be in New Jersey by tomorrow afternoon."

Because of the storm's westerly track, rain and winds will be worse in the Sandhills, not at the coast. Gardner said areas along and east of the track, which carries the center through Sampson, Wayne and Edgecombe counties, could see winds gusting up to 75 mph.

Some counties east of the Triangle, including Johnson, Cumberland, Wayne, Sampson and Duplin, are under a level 2 risk for severe weather Monday as Tropical Storm Isaias gets closer to North Carolina. The Triangle is under a level 1 risk.

By 3 a.m. Tuesday, Isaias could be passing the Triangle. The bulk of the storm will be out of North Carolina by the early afternoon.

Three coastal counties -- Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender -- are now under a hurricane warning as Isaias moves closer to North Carolina.

Expect some damage to roofs and mobile homes, as well as downed trees and power outages. Some bridges and roads may be blocked from downed trees as the storm approaches.

"For North Carolina this is shaping up to be as much a wind event as a rain event," said Gardner. "The storm will move through very quickly with gusts from Raleigh eastward anywhere from 50 to 70 mph. This will knock down trees and cause power outages."

At 8 p.m. Monday, the storm will be nearing South Carolina's coast. After that, the latest models predict that landfall is possible along the South Carolina line near Brunswick County beaches -- including Sunset Beach, Holden Beach and Ocean Isle.

Models show the storm will move up the I-95 corridor after it makes landfall. This means the storm won't be as big of a deal for the Outer Banks, which are usually hit by storms hard.

"The impact will be greatest right here in the Triangle," Gardner said.

Residents are urged to prepare for possible heavy rain, high wind and power outages by:

Sheltering people during COVID-19 will be difficult this hurricane season

"If they have symptoms, then they're going to be sent somewhere to be isolated, depending on their condition," Sprayberry said. "It could be a hotel, it could be a medical facility."

The state had prepared Sandhills Regional Medical Center in Hamlet to handle a surge of coronavirus patients, Sprayberry said, and that would be called into service should it be necessary as a medical shelter.

Cooper has activated up to 150 National Guard soldiers to help with preparations. Several water rescue teams are ready to support impacted communities, and PPE is being provided to our responders to enable them to operate within a COVID-19 environment.

Officials encouraged the public, saying North Carolina is as prepared as ever for the storm, “But this time we’re going to have to do it with a mask on.”