NAGS HEAD, N.C. — After slamming Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, Post-Tropical Storm Idalia has moved through the coastal region of North Carolina and back out to sea.
At 8 p.m. Thursday, the storm's center was about 445 miles west-northwest of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Its impacts were felt as far as the Outer Banks and even the Hampton Roads area of Virginia on Thursday morning, but conditions have continued to improve through the afternoon.
The storm made landfall Wednesday morning on Florida's Big Bend as a Category 3 hurricane before moving into Georgia and the Carolinas, leaving catastrophic damage in its path. While over southeastern Georgia, the storm weakened into a tropical storm.
7:45 p.m. — Idalia moves away from the OBX
Now a post-tropical storm, Idalia is pulling away from North Carolina's Outer Banks. While the storm has lost its tropical characteristics, Idalia is maintaining maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour as it now heads toward the island of Bermuda.
5:30 p.m. — Business as usual for Elizabeth City
As Idalia made its way up the coast, the storm brought overcast skies and cooler temperatures to Elizabeth City.
The rain fell steady, but light on Thursday. Many people didn’t even carry an umbrella because of how mild the weather was.
City Manager Montre Freeman said though a few low-lying areas had mild flooding and ponding, the worst is over.
“We have some very light flooding across the city in areas that are typically low areas, anyway,” Freeman said. “But we don’t have anything that has impacted us, thank God.”
Wednesday, Freeman had warned Elizabeth City could expect at least two inches of rain.
4:45 p.m. Thursday — Tropical Storm Warnings expire
The National Hurricane Center said all Tropical Storm Warnings and Storm Surge Watches have been discontinued along the coast of North Carolina, as Idalia continues into the Atlantic and becomes a post-tropical storm.
3:30 p.m. Thursday — Clean-up underway on the OBX
A main objective on Thursday on the Outer Banks has been cleaning up NC12. Wind gusts clocked at 40 to 50 miles per hour on the Outer Banks pushed sand onto sections of the main road. Drivers encountered standing water on the highway.
Crews with the North Carolina Department of Transportation were seen busy shoring up dunes to clean up the overwash. Transportation officials asked people to drive on Highway 12 only if they really needed to on Thursday.
Idalia is bringing a risk of flooding to the OBX with water built up at campgrounds, like on Hatteras Island.
Further north in Nags Head, rainy and windy conditions persisted for hours, mainly on Thursday morning and early afternoon. Surf was rough and tall waves crashed onto the shoreline.
Kevin Herbin of Kitty Hawk stopped near Jennette's Pier to take a photo. “Trying to get a quick morning shot of the raging sea, along with a scripture. I do a morning ministry,” he said.
Herbin mentioned he watched Idalia's track early on and stayed prepared. He said he is glad the weather story here isn't like in Florida and other parts of the East Coast.
“I’m happy for that, but I’m thinking about the people that were hit by the storm,” Herbin said.
Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson confirmed with 13News Now Thursday afternoon dispatchers were not aware of any serious damage or anyone hurt, because of the tropical storm conditions.
2:15 p.m. Thursday — Standing water on most Dare County roads, especially on Hatteras Island
In a Thursday afternoon update, the Dare County Sheriff's Office said there is a lot of standing water left from the rain on most roads, especially on Hatteras Island.
Because it will take time for the water to drain, the sheriff's office is encouraging people to use caution if they have to drive somewhere. The office added that Thursday night's high tide could bring more ocean overwash to vulnerable places, mainly on Hatteras Island.
The office also mentioned that the ocean will be dangerous into the weekend and encouraged people to stay out of the water.
2 p.m. Thursday — Tidal flooding in Hampton Roads
As Hampton Roads feels the impacts of Tropical Storm Idalia on Thursday, tidal flooding is popping up in several places.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Surry County, Isle of Wight County and Poquoson County until 2 a.m. Saturday. Virginia Beach is also under a warning until 2 p.m. Friday.
During this time, up to two feet of inundation above ground level is expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, according to NWS. Much of the flooding stems from sustained northeast winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour.
1:45 p.m. Thursday — Dominion Energy gives update on power restoration
In a Thursday afternoon update, Dominion Energy said Tropical Storm Idalia knocked out power to less than 10,000 customers but it has been restored to all but 60 customers.
The company said the outages were mostly caused by fallen trees, and Hampton Roads and northern North Carolina sidestepped the worst of Idalia.
Those who come across downed power lines are asked to stay at least 30 feet away and report them by calling 1-866-DOM-HELP.
1:15 p.m. Thursday — Road closures in Chesapeake due to high water
Several roads in Chesapeake are closed due to high water levels Thursday afternoon, according to the city's traffic account on X:
- Bainbridge Boulevard at Portlock Road
- Bainbridge Boulevard at Freeman Avenue
- Bainbridge Boulevard at Portlock Road
- Mapleshore Drive at Fernwood Farms Road
High water levels have also been reported on the following roads:
- Deepwater Drive at Bells Mill Road
- Sunlight Drive at Deepwater Drive
- 5100 block Bainbridge Boulevard
- The area of Fernwood Farms Road
- 2116 Indian Creek Drive
12:30 p.m. Thursday — College of The Albemarle back on normal schedule Friday
College of The Albemarle will be back to normal operations on Friday.
Employees should report as normal and students should report for their classes as scheduled, the college wrote in a social media post.
12:05 p.m. Thursday — Norfolk opens free parking facilities amid tidal flooding
The City of Norfolk has opened two free parking facilities amid tidal flooding beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday.
The parking spots are the York Street Garage at 215 West York Street, and the Brambleton Lot at 494 St Paul's Boulevard. They will be open until Saturday at noon.
11 a.m. Thursday — Flooding seen at Ocracoke Campground
Cape Hatteras National Seashore shared a picture of flooding at the Ocracoke Campground Thursday morning.
The Seashore’s Ocracoke, Cape Point, and Frisco campgrounds closed Wednesday ahead of Idalia moving into the area.
10:15 a.m. Thursday — Flooding on NC Highway 12 between Frisco, Hatteras villages
Cape Hatteras National Seashore shared a picture of flooding on North Carolina Highway 12 between the villages of Frisco and Hatteras.
"We continue to caution against unnecessary travel along portions of NC-12," officials wrote. "Rangers have reported hazardous conditions from blowing sand, ocean overwash and flooding from rainfall."
9:15 a.m. Thursday — Sand, standing water on NC Highway 12 on Hatteras Island
Cape Hatteras National Seashore shared a picture and a video of how Idalia is impacting North Carolina Highway 12 on Hatteras Island.
A picture shows standing water near the Pea Island Visitor Center, and a video shows sand blowing off the dune onto the roadway.
9 a.m. Thursday — Flash Flood Warning for OBX extended
The Flash Flood Warning covering Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island has been extended to 11:45 a.m.
8:45 a.m. Thursday — Cape Point Campground floods, sand all over NC Highway 12
Cape Hatteras National Seashore, managed by the National Park Service, shared pictures of flooding at the Cape Point Campground, which is at the southern end of Hatteras Island.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation shared a picture of crews working to clear the sand from Highway 12.
"As we said earlier, today is NOT a day to be driving on NC12 unless absolutely necessary," the department wrote.
8:10 a.m. Thursday — Road testing skills in Nags Head, Elizabeth City suspended Thursday
The North Carolina DMV offices in Nags Head and Elizabeth City have suspended road skills testing for Thursday due to high winds and area flooding near the office locations. People with scheduled road tests will be rescheduled.
The DMV office in Nags Head will close at noon.
7:45 a.m. Thursday — Winds getting stronger on the Outer Banks
13News Now's Angelique Arintok is seeing strong winds and heavy rain in Nags Head, North Carolina. Tall waves are crashing onto Jennette's Pier.
RELATED: Outer Banks Emergency Management, transportation officials prepared for Tropical Storm Idalia
7:35 a.m. Thursday — All North Carolina ferry routes suspended
As a reminder, the ferry division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation has suspended all routes until the effects of Tropical Storm Idalia have passed. The department announced the suspension of the routes on Wednesday.
7:30 a.m. Thursday — Wind picks up in Virginia Beach, large waves at the Oceanfront
The wind is picking up at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront as the Hampton Roads area starts to feel the effect of Idalia.
The heaviest rain will be closer to the storm's path in North Carolina, with some northern parts of Hampton Roads likely not seeing much rain at all.
A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for Virginia Beach until 2 p.m. Friday. Up to two feet of inundation above ground level is expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, according to the National Weather Service.
The city is also under a high surf advisory for large breaking waves of seven to 10 feet, as well as a beach hazard statement for dangerous rip currents.
7 a.m. Thursday — Dominion Energy says crews ready to respond to power outages
On 13News Now Daybreak, Bonita Billingsly Harris with Dominion Energy gave an update on potential power outages across the region, saying crews are ready to respond.
With the rain and wind picking up, Harris said crews worked a few power outages in Virginia Beach and the Albemarle area of northeastern North Carolina. There could be more later on Thursday.
She encouraged people to report power outages by using Dominion's mobile app or calling 1-866-DOM-HELP.
6:45 a.m. Thursday — NCDOT warns people to stay off NC Highway 12
The North Carolina Department of Transportation said Highway 12 is open and passable but warned people to stay off the roads as weather conditions deteriorate Thursday.
"Standing rainwater, blowing sand and strong winds can be expected anywhere you go today," the department wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "High tide is coming up in another 90 minutes or so. If you must drive today, do it with EXTREME CAUTION."
6:40 a.m. Thursday — Flash Flood Warning issued for Currituck County
A Flash Flood Warning was issued for Currituck County in North Carolina that will last until 12:45 p.m.
6:15 a.m. Thursday — Perquimans County Schools closed Thursday
Perquimans County Schools will be closed for students Thursday due to weather conditions. According to a social media post, it will be a two-hour delay optional workday for staff.
6 a.m. Thursday — Flash Flood Warning issued for Edenton, North Carolina
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for Edenton, North Carolina that will last until 11:30 a.m.
5:45 a.m. Thursday — Driving conditions on NC Highway 12 in Dare County
In a social media post, the Dare County Sheriff's Office shared some updates on the driving conditions on North Carolina Highway 12.
Near the Oregon Inlet, there are around two inches of rainwater across both lanes of the road just north of the Oregon Inlet Campground, according to the sheriff's office.
From Pea Island to the Marc Basnight Bridge, the road is clear, but there is limited visibility due to blowing sand.
In Buxton, both directions of the road are covered in sand, the first half mile north of Buxton.
Most of Hatteras Village has accumulated rainwater on the roadway. There is around eight inches of water on the road in the area of Village Marina.
5:30 a.m. Thursday — Flash Flood Warning issued for much of southern Outer Banks
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning that covers much of the southern Outer Banks. The warning spans from the Rodanthe area southward through Ocracoke Island, and will last until 9:15 a.m.
5:15 a.m. Thursday — Roads in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina remain passable
The Kitty Hawk Police Department said in a social media post that all roads remain open and passable but warned people to look out for trash cans and small debris in the roadway.
Anyone who comes across traffic hazards or impassable roadways is asked to call 252-473-3444.
School closings in North Carolina Thursday
Several school systems and colleges in northeastern North Carolina changed their schedules ahead of Idalia's arrival.
Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools will have a remote learning day on Thursday and all school facilities will be closed for students and staff.
Currituck County Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday. Students at JP Knapp Early College will have a remote learning day on Thursday and no school on Friday.
All College of The Albemarle campuses will be closed Thursday and all classes and activities are canceled.
Schools in Camden County, Gates County, Hertford County, Perquimans County and Bertie County will be closed Thursday. Dare County schools will be remote learning on Thursday.
How North Carolinians can stay safe during Idalia
In a news release from the governor's office, state officials shared several tips to make sure people are ready for the storm and stay safe:
- Have several ways to get emergency information, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on a cell phone and download a weather app.
- Have an emergency plan. If you have to evacuate, know where to go. Make a plan to stay somewhere, and public shelters should be a last resort.
- Gather some emergency supplies or refresh an emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for information on how to build an emergency kit.
- For those who live near or are visiting the coast, be aware if you are located in a coastal evacuation zone. KnowYourZone.nc.gov will show if you are located in a pre-determined evacuation zone. Learn your zone and listen for it if local governments order evacuations.
- Don't drive through flooded roadways. Turn around, don’t drown.