System off coast developing

A developing storm system off the coast is becoming better organized and is expected to bring high winds, heavy rain and possible flooding along the Neuse River later today and early Thursday.

The National Hurricane Center said the system could develop into a tropical storm or sub-tropical storm later today. If the storm does develop, it would be named Kyle.

Even if the system doesn't develop into a named storm, high winds and heavy rain are expected in the area, forecasters say.

Winds in the Havelock area are expected to gust to 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service, and the county is under a wind advisory.

Areas along the Neuse River and in Carteret County could see higher gusts, with winds up to 60 mph possible north of Cape Lookout and in Down East Carteret County, where a high wind warning is in effect.

Winds gusts of 40 mph at Cedar Island, 36 mph at Beaufort and 33 mph at Cherry Point have already been reported, and winds are expected to increase later today.

All the wind will be pushing water into the Pamlico Sound and Neuse River, creating flooding possibilities in eastern Carteret County and Craven County in the Adams Creek area. The weather service expects water levels to be 3 to 5 feet above normal.

Stanley Kite, Craven County emergency management director, said the county is prepared to handle what he called a "nuisance storm."

"It's nothing like Isabel," he said, referring to the 2003 hurricane that brought devastating flooding to the Adams Creek area. "It will be equivalent to some of the strong nor'easters we have around here."

As of noon today, emergency management had not received any reports of major flooding. Kite said some overwash of roads in the Adams Creek area is possible later today and early Thursday.

"The Neuse is out of its banks in some spots," he said this morning. "We're monitoring it and we have resources ready to deploy."

Kite said one of his main concerns is the possibility of power outages from the high winds.

Havelock officials are asking residents to secure loose items in their yards and to move any trash or yard debris away from culverts and drains. Trash and debris can be blown into the street and clog drains, creating isolated flooding problems.

Rain is expected to move into the area later this afternoon and continue through Thursday. The weather service is calling for 2 to 4 inches of rain with the storm.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the storm, which is currently a non-tropical low pressure system. The hurricane center reports that the storm became better organized this morning and is acquiring some tropical characteristics. A hurricane hunter aircraft is scheduled to fly into the system later today.

The storm is bringing rough surf to the Carteret County beaches, with waves onshore predicted to be as high as eight feet. The threat of rip currents is high and beach erosion is possible, according to the weather service.