Just announced here (in Horry County) that there is a voluntary evacuation for coastal areas of Horry and Georgetown Counties in SC. Red Cross shelters are being opened up at a couple of schools, so no school tomorrow.
Somebody thinks this storm is finally going to move...
...Ophelia moving slowly northwestward...
a Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch are in effect for the southeast coast of the United States from north of Edisto Beach South Carolina northeastward to Cape Lookout North Carolina.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area...generally within 36 hours.
Watches or warnings may have to be extended northward later today.
Interests elsewhere in the southeastern United States coastal region should monitor the progress of Ophelia.
For storm information specific to your area...including possible inland watches and warnings...please monitor products issued by your local weather office.
At 2 PM EDT...1800z...the center of Tropical Storm Ophelia was located near latitude 31.8 north... longitude 77.3 west or about 175 miles east-southeast of Charleston South Carolina and about 255 miles south-southwest of Cape Hatteras North Carolina.
Ophelia is moving toward the northwest near 4 mph and a slow... generally northwestward...motion is expected today and tonight.
Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph...with higher gusts. Ophelia has the potential to restrengthen into a hurricane during the next day or so.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 160 miles from the center. Some of the outer rain bands are near the coast in the warning area.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 989 mb...29.20 inches.
Repeating the 2 PM EDT position...31.8 N... 77.3 W. Movement toward...northwest near 4 mph. Maximum sustained winds... 70 mph. Minimum central pressure... 989 mb.
The next advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at 5 PM EDT.
Forecaster Pasch