Governor Roy Cooper addresses impacts of Ophelia
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Tropical Storm Ophelia has now hit all of Eastern Carolina.
Ophelia made landfall at 6:15 on Saturday near Emerald Isle with maximum sustained winds of 70mph.
With winds weakening throughout the day, periods of heavy rain, gusty winds, and coastal flooding will likely continue throughout periods of ENC, according to state officials.
The storm has resulted in flooding across Eastern Carolina, with the storm making its way up north.
State officials said there were reports of downed trees, impacting some roads and downing some power lines. Current reports show around 30,000 scattered power outages throughout the state. However, that is down from the more than 50,000 outages this morning.
“We encourage everyone living and visiting the areas impacted by Ophelia to remain vigilant,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Water levels could remain elevated through this evening for areas adjacent to the Pamlico, Neuse, Pungo and Bay rivers and farther north along the northern Albemarle Sound and soundside Outer Banks. We are grateful to all of the first responders and others who are responding to this storm.”
“In an abundance of caution, swift water rescue teams were staged in areas around eastern North Carolina in case rescues were needed. This included Morehead City, Bayboro, and Williamston. One of the teams was also able to assist in the evacuation of the Twin Lakes Campground, located between the Pamlico River and the Chocowinity Bay,” said Will Ray, North Carolina Emergency Management director. “We are committed to providing the resources needed to support our county partners, and we will continue to work with them as we move forward into the recovery phase of this storm.”
Many counties in ENC continue to monitor Ophelia, with several communities with states of emergency in place and active emergency operations centers.
On Friday, Governor Roy Cooper signed a State of Emergency, which temporarily waives transportation of livestock and agricultural products. The order also issues transportation waivers to expedite preparations in anticipation of the storm and provide swift response and recovery after the storm.
... Continue ReadingRussell’s First Alert Forecast: Ophelia moves out; Nicer weather moves in
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Tropical Storm Ophelia impacted several communities across the east earlier Saturday. The storm produced strong gusty breezes and torrential downpours, with several locations reporting flooding, wind and tree damage. Along the coast, high surf and elevated water levels, caused overwash along Highway 12 and beach erosion from Nags Head to the Crystal Coast. As of the 5 PM advisory, Ophelia currently has maximum winds of 40 mph, with higher gusts. Ophelia’s center is now in Southeast Virginia, roughly 50 miles from Richmond.
As the storm continues to push away from the area, the winds will decrease to around 15 to 20 mph tonight with partly cloudy skies and low humidity expected. Rain chances around 20% this evening will gradually taper off as we head into the overnight hours. Sunday will shape up to be a great day, with highs anticipated in the upper 70s and lower 80s.
Next week, we will continue the trend with upper 70s and low 80s for high temperatures, and overnight lows in the low to mid 60s. Staying dry Monday throughout Wednesday as partly to mostly sunny skies take over, then several weak frontal boundaries settles in Thursday and continuing through next week. Rain chances stay between 20%-30% chances.
As for other tropical activity, Tropical Storm Philippe formed as of the 5 PM advisory and is expected to stay away from Eastern NC.
Stay tuned to WITN, witn.com, and the WITN First Alert Weather App for the latest information.
... Continue ReadingOfficials say Havelock has sewage spill due to Ophelia
HAVELOCK, N.C. (WITN) - Havelock has seen another sewage spill, making this two in one month.
According to officials, an estimated 36,000 gallons of untreated wastewater was spilled into Joe’s Branch on Saturday. The spill came from a manhole at the intersection of Webb Blvd. and East Main and 201 Pineview St.
Officials say the spill was due to the almost 4 inches of rainfall seen during Tropical Storm Ophelia.
... Continue ReadingFirst Alert Weather Day: Ophelia makes landfall over Emerald Isle
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Tropical Storm Ophelia has made landfall over Emerald Isle at 6:15 a.m. with estimated maximum winds of 70 mph. A Flash Flood Warning is in effect Beaufort, Craven, and Pitt counties until 1:30 p.m., Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, and Wilson counties until 3 p.m.
A River Flood Warning is in effect for parts of Pitt County until 3 p.m.
As of the 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Ophelia has 50 mph maximum sustained winds and is moving towards the north at 12 mph. A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for all Eastern NC counties for Saturday.
The flooding issues will start to improve in the afternoon. Most areas will see an additional 1-3″ through the morning hours before the rain ends later today.
There is a threat of tornados for most counties in ENC, however the threat level has come down substantially through the morning. Pockets of concentrated power outages have been reported across Carteret and Craven, with several other counties reporting more isolated power loss. Usual trouble spots could see standing water from heavy rain or storm surge. Conditions look much better on Sunday.
Stay with WITN and WITN.COM as we will continue to keep you updated all weekend long.
... Continue ReadingUPDATE: Thousands in ENC without power as Ophelia makes landfall
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - As Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall Saturday morning, residents in Eastern Carolina are experiencing power outages.
We’ll be tracking outages with the below graph:
... Continue ReadingViewer submissions pour in from Tropical Storm Ophelia to CarolinaCamera.tv
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Viewers are sharing countless photos and videos of Tropical Storm Ophelia’s impacts on Eastern Carolina.
Follow this link to take a look at dozens of submissions showing the flooding, wind, and rain that the storm has brought to Eastern Carolina.
We encourage you to share your photos and video as well taken in a safe manner.
Your pictures and video may even be featured on WITN News.
... Continue Reading
Greenville experiences Ophelia flooding ahead of ECU football
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - As fans get ready to descend on Dowdy-Ficklen stadium for ECU football, Greenville is dealing with flooding from Tropical Storm Ophelia.
Video and pictures sent from several parts of the city show flooding in many familiar areas.
Footage from 14th Street near the intersection with Charles Blvd showed plenty of water flowing over the roadway.
Other images show familiar flooding under the railroad bridge nearby on 14th.

Many drivers weren’t deterred by the flooding.
The city is no stranger to many of these hot spots seeing flooding, with waters tending to go down in a matter of hours.
ECU is set to take on Gardner Webb at 6 p.m.
... Continue Reading“FedEx Delivers!” remarks resident as driver goes through Winterville flood waters
WINTERVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Some residents in Winterville had to do a double take as a delivery driver wasn’t going to let flooded roads from Ophelia get in their way.
Charles Titone submitted video of a FedEx delivery driver heading up N Star Lane in the Cedar Ridge neighborhood.
The driver appears to take it relatively slowly as the person behind the camera says “FedEx delivers!” while another voice worries the driver might flood the truck.
All appears well though as the truck navigated the waters and presumably delivered their cargo on time.
If you’ve got a video or pictures you want to share of the storm, submit it at CarolinaCamera.Tv.
... Continue ReadingFive people rescued from sailing boat near Cape Lookout
CAPE LOOKOUT, N.C. (WITN) - Five people are safe after being rescued by the Coast Guard near Cape Lookout.
The U.S. Coast Guard said that it got a call from the owner of the Wanderlife Life sailing boat around 7:13 p.m. Friday to share concerns about being anchored within Lookout Bight.
Officials said the owner did not feel comfortable in the channel and asked to be rescued.
A 45-foot response boat used parachute flares to illuminate their way through the narrow channel due to tough conditions created by Tropical Storm Ophelia.
All passengers, including a 4, 7, and 10-year-old were rescued by 9:23 p.m.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter also arrived to give an overhead light for the trip back to the station which they arrived to at 10:22 p.m.
The Wanderful Life was left anchored and will be checked on by salvage crews.
Conditions were reported to be 6-foot to 8-foot seas with occasional 10-foot swells. Winds were said to be 35-40 mph.
There were no injuries.
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Tropical Storm Ophelia floods parts of Winterville
WINTERVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Winterville residents were feeling the affects of Tropical Storm Ophelia Saturday morning.
The storm system brought in heavy rain and wind throughout Friday and overnight.
Some residents experienced power outages that lasted for several hours.
According to WITN Forecaster Dustin Staples, conditions will return to normal in the overnight hours into Sunday morning.
Staples says winds will relax from 5 to 15 miles per hour with gusts up to 20 miles per hour.



Dustin’s First Alert Forecast: As Ophelia is moving in the area, flooding and wind are the main concern
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - As the impacts of Ophelia was moving in this morning, the area has seen a range of 2-6″ inches of rain as Ophelia continues to move in the area. Several flash flood alerts continue to remain in effect until noon for parts of Beaufort, Craven, and Pitt counties until 12 p.m. An additional 1-3″ inches is still possible today, as the storm will eventually clear out this afternoon, just in time for the ENC football game against Gardner Webb at the 6 p.m kickoff time.
As for the wind speeds, particularly gusts, will range between 30-40 mph for most communities inland, with a few spots on the coast registering gusts between 50-60 mph. Winds will start to calm down later this afternoon and into the evening hours, as winds will stay between 10-20 mph, with gust possible up to 25-30 mph.
After Ophelia leaves, the area will be left with calm and not as windy conditions for Sunday, as a mix of clouds and sun develops in afternoon. Daytimes stay in the 70s.
Next week, we will continue the trend with upper 70s and low 80s for high temperatures, and overnight lows in the low to mid 60s. Staying dry Monday throughout Wednesday as partly to mostly sunny skies take over, then several weak frontal boundaries settles in Thursday and continuing through next week. Rain chances stay between 20%-30% chances.
As for other tropical activity, Tropical Depression 17 formed as of the 11 a.m. update and is forecasted to become a tropical storm Sunday.
Stay tuned to WITN, witn.com, and the WITN First Alert Weather App for the latest information.
... Continue ReadingOPHELIA: ENC temporary road closures
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Fallen trees and down power lines are beginning to cause temporary road closures across Eastern North Carolina.
The following is a list of known road closures, the list will be updated throughout the storm.
- Bayview Rd in both Directions in Beaufort County, East of Bath, Near Breezy Shores Rd
- NC-99 in both directions in Beaufort County, East of Washington, Near Fantasy Island Rd
- Wichard’s Beach Rd in both directions in Beaufort County, South of Washington, Near US-17BUS
- I-95 S in Nash County at Mile Marker 138, In Rocky Mount, Near US-64
- Clarks Neck in both directions in Pitt County, East of Grimesland, Near Grimesland Bridge Rd
- NC-45 in both sirections in Hyde County, West of Fairfield, Near US-264
Crews continue to battle Kinston fire
KINSTON, N.C. (WITN) - Crews in Kinston are battling a residential structure fire, causing street closures.
According to Lenoir County Emergency Services, they received a call on Saturday around 7:20 a.m. in response to smoke coming from a home at 715 West Washington Street in Kinston.
Units from the Kinston Department of Fire & Rescue, North Lenoir Fire & Rescue, and Lenoir County Emergency Services arrived on scene to find active fire conditions.
Crews are still working to bring the fire under control.
West Washington Avenue and Dewey Street are closed to all traffic until further notice.
... Continue ReadingUPDATE: Thousands in ENC without power as Ophelia approaches landfall
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - As Tropical Storm Ophelia nears landfall Saturday morning, residents in Eastern Carolina are experiencing power outages.
We’ll be tracking outages over 100 with the below graph:
... Continue ReadingStrong winds, flooding hit Oriental as Tropical Storm Ophelia moves through ENC
ORIENTAL, N.C. (WITN) - Flood waters have arrived in one coastal town that is pretty used to them.
Oriental in Pamlico County experienced wind, rain, and flooding from storm surge as Tropical Storm Ophelia approached Eastern Carolina.
Oriental is expected to experience 2-4 feet of storm surge from the system.
Thousands in Eastern Carolina are experiencing power outages this morning but Pamlico County has avoided most of those issues so far.
... Continue ReadingFlooding hits streets of Oriental as Tropical Storm Ophelia moves through ENC
ORIENTAL, N.C. (WITN) - Flood waters have arrived in one coastal town that is pretty used to them.
Oriental in Pamlico County experienced wind, rain, and flooding from storm surge as Tropical Storm Ophelia approached Eastern Carolina.
Oriental is expected to experience 2-4 feet of storm surge from the system.
Thousands in Eastern Carolina are experiencing power outages this morning but Pamlico County has avoided most of those issues so far.
... Continue ReadingCharlie’s First Alert Forecast: Ophelia’s track over ENC gives us a soggy & windy Saturday
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Rainfall was continuous overnight for most of Eastern NC and as the sun starts to rise over the horizon, Ophelia will make landfall between Onslow and Carteret counties. Rainfall totals for most of the East range between 1 to 3 inches as of 4 a.m. this morning, but an additional 1 to 3 inches will fall as the center of Ophelia moves inland. The ragged nature of the storm has kept us clear of tornados and will likely continue to do so through the rest of the event. Coastal flooding will be an issue during the early to mid morning hours today, gradually fading as Ophelia weakens and moves northward towards the I-95 corridor.
Wind speeds, particularly gusts, will range between 30 to 40 mph for most communities with a few spots on the coast registering gusts between 50 to 60 mph. The winds will relax in the late morning through early evening hours today. Highs will reach the low 70s this afternoon before dropping into the low 60s overnight into Sunday. Winds will go quiet overnight, leaving us with a slight westerly breeze as we wrap up the weekend.
Several weak boundary fronts will approach the East through the work week, keeping a slight (20%-30%) chance of rain in the forecast from Monday through Friday. Highs will hold in the upper 70s to low 80s through the week due to the thicker cloud cover. No severe weather is expected through the upcoming work week.
Stay tuned to WITN, witn.com, and the WITN First Alert Weather App for the latest information.
... Continue ReadingFirst Alert Weather Day: Ophelia landfall still an hour away
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Tropical Storm Ophelia is inching closer and closer to Eastern NC. Landfall is expected in Onslow or Carteret County between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. As of the 5 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Ophelia has 70 mph maximum sustained winds and is moving towards the Crystal Coast at 12 mph. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Carteret, Pamlico, Coastal Onslow, and Southern Craven counties. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for all Eastern NC counties.
Rainfall amounts haven’t been too impressive so far. The main flooding issues will come when the eye makes landfall and moves inland. As long as rain stays heavy around the center of low pressure, areas may see an additional 1-3″ before the rain ends. This will likely be in limited areas rather than a widespread issue. Winds will stay strongest around the eye and along the shoreline. Gusts up to 40 mph are still expected inland with gusts up to 60 mph along the coast. Can’t rule out a few isolated gusts near 70 mph along the immediate coast.
There is a threat of tornados for most counties in ENC, however the threat level has come down substantially through the morning. Pockets of concentrated power outages have been reported across Carteret and Craven, with several other counties reporting more isolated power loss. Usual trouble spots could see standing water from heavy rain or storm surge. Conditions look much better on Sunday.
Stay with WITN and WITN.COM as we will continue to keep you updated all week long.
... Continue ReadingCharlie’s First Alert Forecast: Ophelia set to make landfall around sunrise
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Rainfall was continuous overnight for most of Eastern NC and as the sun starts to rise over the horizon, Ophelia will make landfall between Onslow and Carteret counties. Rainfall totals for most of the East range between 1 to 3 inches as of 4 a.m. this morning, but an additional 1 to 3 inches will fall as the center of Ophelia moves inland. The ragged nature of the storm has kept us clear of tornados and will likely continue to do so through the rest of the event. Coastal flooding will be an issue during the early to mid morning hours today, gradually fading as Ophelia weakens and moves northward towards the I-95 corridor.
Wind speeds, particularly gusts, will range between 30 to 40 mph for most communities with a few spots on the coast registering gusts between 50 to 60 mph. The winds will relax in the late morning through early evening hours today. Highs will reach the low 70s this afternoon before dropping into the low 60s overnight into Sunday. Winds will go quiet overnight, leaving us with a slight westerly breeze as we wrap up the weekend.
Several weak boundary fronts will approach the East through the work week, keeping a slight (20%-30%) chance of rain in the forecast from Monday through Friday. Highs will hold in the upper 70s to low 80s through the week due to the thicker cloud cover. No severe weather is expected through the upcoming work week.
Stay tuned to WITN, witn.com, and the WITN First Alert Weather App for the latest information.
... Continue ReadingFirst Alert Weather Day: Ophelia landfall still a few hours away
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Tropical Storm Ophelia is inching closer and closer to Eastern NC. Landfall is expected in Onslow or Carteret County between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. As of the 2 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Ophelia has 70 mph maximum sustained winds and is moving towards the Crystal Coast at 12 mph. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Carteret, Pamlico, Coastal Onslow, and Southern Craven counties. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for all Eastern NC counties.
Rainfall amounts haven’t been too impressive so far. The main flooding issues will come when the eye makes landfall and moves inland. As long as rain stays heavy around the center of low pressure, areas may see an additional 2-3″ before the rain ends. This will likely be in limited areas rather than a widespread issue. Winds will stay strongest around the eye and along the shoreline. Gusts up to 40 mph are still expected inland with gusts up to 60 mph along the coast. Can’t rule out a few isolated gusts near 70 mph along the immediate coast.
There is a threat of tornados for most counties in ENC. The threat will be higher for those near and east of Highway 17, decreasing as you get closer to I-95. This threat will be highest through 9 a.m. Saturday. Be sure to have multiple ways to receive warnings. Pockets of concentrated power outages have been reported across Carteret and Craven, with several other counties reporting more isolated power loss. Usual trouble spots could see standing water from heavy rain or storm surge. Conditions look much better on Sunday.
Stay with WITN and WITN.COM as we will continue to keep you updated all week long.
... Continue Reading