No major problems from storm

Despite more than 5 inches of rain in a 24-hour period, Havelock has held up well under a coastal storm that includes the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

City officials report no major problems with flooding, with just one road, North Shepard Street, being blocked off because of high water.

The storm did prompt Craven County Schools to delay the opening of public schools Thursday for two hours. Craven Community College was also delayed for two hours.

The National Weather Service in Newport issued various watches and advisories on the storm, which is slowly beginning to move up the coast.

A flood advisory remains in effect as rain continues to swirl around the center of the storm, but much of the heavy rain associated with the storm has moved out of the area.

As of 10 a.m. today, Cherry Point had recorded 5.76 inches of rain from the storm, according to the weather service. Rain is expected to continue off and on throughout the day, slowly diminishing to around a 40 percent chance of rain on Friday.

Stronger northeast winds associated with the storm have increased water levels in creeks and the Neuse River in Craven and Carteret counties. The weather service said water levels are 2 to 3 feet higher than normal, and some minor flooding may be possible.

Those winds could gust to 40 mph today, strong enough to uproot some trees in saturated ground, according to the weather service. Cherry Point recorded a peak wind gust of 36 mph this morning.

The National Weather Service is urging that drivers use caution on the roads and do not drive through flooded areas. At least three crashes were reported in and around Havelock Wednesday morning.

With the storm moving away, the weekend is expected to be mostly sunny with high temperatures near 70, according to the weather service.