RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia is under a state of emergency with Hurricane Ophelia lurking off the Carolinas. Governor Mark Warner made the declaration yesterday, saying hurricanes and tropical storms can cause significant damage. His order puts state agencies to work bracing for the storm, which is expected to bring rain and wind to southeastern Virginia.
Ophelia kept up its teasing dance along the coast of the Carolinas on Tuesday. It is expected to make landfall near the Outer Banks of North Carolina by Wednesday or Thursday.
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The National Hurricane Center upgraded the storm's status, from tropical storm to hurricane, on Tuesday evening, saying maximum sustained winds had reached 75 mph, with higher gusts. The storm was graded a Category One hurricane, but the center said further strengthening was possible in the hours ahead.
Although Ophelia was centered more than 200 miles offshore, nonresidents were ordered to leave one of North Carolina's Outer Banks islands, 300 National Guard troops were sent to mustering points along the coast, and schools in five counties closed.
