Hurricane Dorian regained some strength overnight, becoming a Category 3, bringing severe weather and heavy rainfall to the Carolinas, days after leaving parts of the Bahamas devastated and more than 20 people dead.
As of 9 a.m. Thursday, the storm remained about 70 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, close enough to bring high-winds and heavy rainfall that left thousands of customers in the state without power. According to the Charleston Police Department, several roads in the area have been closed because of flooding. Winds of up to 60 mph were recorded in both states on Thursday.
The National Hurricane Center said Dorian had maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and was advancing along the coast, with the possibility of the center moving over land in North Carolina by Thursday evening. The center said residents in coastal areas could see a storm surge between 5 to 8 feet.
"As of early this morning, rainbands associated with the core of Hurricane Dorian were edging into the coastal sections of South Carolina where tropical-storm-force northerly winds were strengthening," the center said. "Life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds are expected along portions the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina, and portions of southeast Virginia and the southern Chesapeake Bay, regardless of the exact track of Dorian's center. Water levels could rise well in advance of the arrival of strong winds."
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper urged residents to heed evacuation orders and take the oncoming storm seriously.
"Today is the day to finish preparing," said Cooper in a statement Wednesday. "Do not underestimate this dangerous storm. Listen to your local emergency officials and leave now if they have ordered evacuations."
South Carolina Emergency Management Division said nearly 200,000 customers were without power as of 8:30 ET.
Forecasters say Dorian could bring up to 15 inches of rain in some areas as the storm moves northeast along the East Coast through Friday. Forecasters are also warning residents of extreme weather and tornadoes that could be created by the outer bands of the storm. At least one tornado was reported in Pender County, by Thursday morning.
An 85-year-old man who died in North Carolina was preparing was preparing his home in Columbus County for the storm when he fell from a ladder.
Dorian is expected to remain a hurricane for several more days as it continues north toward New England. The once powerful Category 5 storm devastated the Bahamas, as it stalled over the island, tearing houses apart, flooding streets and destroying several harbors. At least 20 people have been killed by the storm, with that number expected to rise, Bahamas officials said.
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