Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, early Saturday morning, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the coast. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph at landfall, with gusts up to 85 mph.

Ophelia is expected to continue moving north through the state over the next day or two, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to inland areas as well. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are possible, with isolated areas receiving up to 10 inches. Storm surge of up to 4 feet is possible in some coastal areas.

Residents in North Carolina are advised to stay informed and take precautions to stay safe. This includes:

• Evacuating if ordered to do so by local officials.
• Securing loose items outside, such as patio furniture and garbage cans.
• Boarding up windows and doors.
• Turning off your gas and electricity.
• Having a plan for where to go if you lose power or have to evacuate.

If you must go outside, be cautious and aware of the dangers of downed power lines and falling trees.

Ophelia is the first named storm to make landfall in North Carolina this season. The Atlantic hurricane season typically runs from June 1 to November 30, but storms can form outside of this time period.

Stay tuned to local news and weather reports for the latest information on Tropical Storm Ophelia.