Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida on Wednesday morning as a Category 3 storm and began moving northeast through Georgia and coastal South Carolina. Now downgraded to a Category 2 storm, it is expected to have “moderate impacts across portions of central North Carolina” starting Thursday morning.
Sustained winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 35 mph are expected across the region through Thursday, with 1 to 2 inches of rain and the possibility of local flash flooding through Thursday morning, according to Duke officials.
Coastal North Carolina, including the Duke Marine Lab, is currently under a tropical storm watch and expected to face stronger rain and winds. The lab is “monitoring conditions, taking precautions and making preparations.”
Precautions are also in place at the Durham campus, including “water mitigation steps around residence halls and having tree contractors at the ready.” The severe weather and emergency conditions policy is not expected to be activated, and classes are “expected to continue as scheduled.”
Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency on Tuesday morning, allowing the government to mobilize emergency operation plans and first responders, and implement new transportation routes.
Duke Housing & Residence Life recommendations
HRL sent emails to students residing on East and West Campus on Wednesday detailing ways to prepare dorms for the storm, as well as general safety measures for the hurricane and possible tornadoes. Students are asked to lock windows and encouraged to keep their devices charged.
The email also included that “staff will work to prepare campus by securing outdoor furniture, clearing storm drains, looking for damaged tree limbs, and stocking residential areas with supplies such as extra paper towels, toilet paper, and mops.”
Research Triangle’s response to Idalia
Flash flood warnings are in place for specific areas within Raleigh, including a flood watch for Central Carolina and a tropical storm watch likely for the Triangle.
According to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, locals from the Triangle to the coast should be wary of heavy flooding on Thursday.
Gardner strongly recommends against going to the beach for Labor Day, and residents should follow state guidelines to ensure safety until Idalia passes.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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Andrew Bae is a Trinity junior and an editor-at-large of The Chronicle's 120th volume.