Watching Dorian: After landfall in North Carolina, cleanup begins
Hurricane Dorian made landfall in North Carolina this morning, after a long slog up the Atlantic coast.
Our journalists have been working hard in the field, reporting on Dorian's impacts.
We have many updates to share, but first I want to thank you for following our storm coverage via this newsletter. Our work as journalists feels especially meaningful during times of emergency. This will be our final Storm Watch newsletter for Dorian, but you can continue to follow news about the storm on the Greenville News, the Independent Mail the Citizen Times, Delmarva Now and the News Leader.
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Big-picture updates (scroll down for regional info)
Landfall Friday: After 13 days as a named storm, Dorian made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane at Cape Hatteras, N.C., on Friday morning. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses lost power as storm surge threatened buildings along the coast. Flooding on the Outer Banks had some residents seeking refuge in their attics.
Photos of damage: These images from across the Carolinas show Dorian had widespread impact on coastal communities, even as the storm was less severe than feared.
Watch the landfall: This satellite imagery shows Dorian's landfall at Cape Hatteras.
No way in, or out: Dorian's damage to the northern Bahamas has left survivors and rescue teams frustrated. The death toll there rose to 30 on Friday, and is expected to continue climbing.
South Carolina
Evacuation orders were lifted for all coastal counties that had previously been evacuated for Hurricane Dorian, Gov. Henry McMaster announced Friday morning. State government offices in all eight evacuated counties expect to open Monday.
At least 250,000 power outages in South Carolina were were reported during the storm, less than a third the number reported during Hurricane Florence in 2018.
Overall, residents were relieved Dorian was not nearly as devastating as feared.
Some opted to remain home, defying evacuation orders. That's against state law, but here's why you're unlikely to get punished for it.
Nonetheless, some residents will need help recovering from Dorian. Here's how you can help those in need in South Carolina.
Every hurricane has at least one oddball story. In Dorian's case, it was the Jeep on the beach in Myrtle Beach, which has become a meme sensation.
Got storm questions? We've answered five FAQs in the wake of Dorian.
North Carolina
Gov. Roy Cooper said Friday he had "significant concern about hundreds of people trapped on Ocracoke Island." North Carolina Transportation Secretary Jim Trogdon said a key bridge between Hatteras Island and Ocracoke was affected by Dorian.
What did it look like as Dorian impacted the Outer Banks? We've collected photos and videos.
This was the scene in New Bern, which is particularly vulnerable to storm surge during hurricanes.
Emerald Isle was one of the communities that endured tornado damage as a result of Dorian. Drone footage provides an aerial view of the destruction.
By midday Friday, Dorian had picked up speed and was moving away from the North Carolina coast.
Elsewhere on mid-Atlantic
The Delmarva area felt the effects of Dorian on Friday morning in the form of rain, wind and rough surf. Tropical storm warnings were issued for several Maryland counties, including Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset.
Dorian's arrival coincided with high tide in Ocean City and Virginia, compounding flood concerns.
We've compiled a list of weather delays and closings in the Delmarva area.
PHOTOS: Check out Hurricane Dorian images from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.
Thanks for reading our Storm Watch newsletter. Until next time, be safe.
Best,
Eve Samples, Paste BN Network-Florida opinion & engagement editor
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