GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for select counties in Eastern NC through Thursday evening. While Idalia’s wind strength has waned to the point it is now a category 1 hurricane, the rain field associated with the storm is already spreading into our area.

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the ENC area (WITN Weather)

Idalia made landfall at Keaton Beach around 7:45 a.m. today as a category 3 hurricane. The last time the Big Bend had a hurricane landfall was from Hurricane Easy in 1950.

Hurricane Idalia is a category 1 storm as of the 2 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center. The hurricane is moving NE at 20 mph. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to 75 mph, making it a weak category 1 hurricane. Idalia will continue to weaken as it moves over coastal Georgia and South Carolina.

Not much change for us in Idalia’s track as it maintains tropical storm strength just offshore. There’s still the chance we could see Idalia try to become a hurricane as it passes by on Thursday, but the window of opportunity for that to occur and impact us is shrinking.

The official data and track of Hurricane Idalia as of the 2 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.

Rain is slowly picking up in frequency and intensity through the evening but the wind will take longer to arrive. In fact, most may not notice the wind until they wake up Thursday morning. The heaviest of the wind and rain comes between midnight and noon. Heavy rain and wind will likely linger longer across the Outer Banks until Thursday evening. Rain pulls away Thursday afternoon but a steady north wind, coastal showers may linger into Friday.

As far as impacts from Idalia, we’re expecting up to 4-8″ along the Crystal Coast from Surf City northward to Hatteras. Spots inland could see 2-4″ and we’re expecting a sharp drop-off as you head west of I-95 or north near the state line. Sustained winds could reach 20-30 mph inland with gusts up to 40 mph. Coastal communities should expect 30-40 mph sustained winds with gusts up to 50 mph along the coast. Flash flooding is the main threat but isolated power outages or downed trees are possible too. The threat of a tornado will be focused along the Crystal Coast, specifically from Cape Fear to Cape Lookout. There is a chance sound side flooding on Ocracoke between 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. Low tide for Ocracoke is about 2:45 p.m. with high tide coming around 8:50 p.m. While the wind speeds will be peaking over the Pamlico Sound around low tide, enough wind could linger to create hazardous flooding across the island as the later high tide arrives.

While our confidence is high, minor track adjustments can have a big impact on our forecasted threats. If Idalia goes back over water too soon, it could try to become a hurricane again as it passes by. Now is a good time to look at your hurricane plan and supplies to make sure you and your family are covered.

Here are the latest impacts from what could be from Idalia for Eastern Carolina. (WITN Weather)

Stay with WITN and WITN.COM as we continue to track Franklin and Idalia throughout the week.