A homegrown weather system off the coast of Carolina is intensifying, as forecasters warn of its potential to strengthen into a tropical storm, bringing with it days of high winds, downpours, and the risk of flooding. The National Weather Service office in Morehead City, North Carolina, stated that the storm's uncertain nature makes it difficult to predict its exact path and intensity. If sustained winds reach 39 mph, the storm would be named Helene.

The approaching low pressure system off the Southeast Coast has captured the attention of meteorologists. The storm's slow movement raises concerns about messy weather conditions, regardless of whether it attains tropical storm status. The National Weather Service tweeted on Sunday, alerting residents to the deteriorating conditions, including gusty winds, dangerous marine conditions, minor coastal flooding, and strong rip currents.

AccuWeather predicts heavy rainfall to begin on Sunday night across parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Over the next few days, rainfall totals are expected to reach 4-8 inches in many areas, with some locations potentially experiencing more than 20 inches. Coastal flooding, rip currents, and beach erosion could extend from northeastern Florida to Delaware.

As the storm approaches, power outages are anticipated, and AccuWeather warns that gusts of up to 80 mph could occur. It is most likely that the storm will make landfall along the North Carolina coast near the South Carolina border late on Monday. Elevated risks are predicted for the Outer Banks of North Carolina, known for their dangerous currents, making safety precautions essential.

Although the storm presents rip current hazards, the most likely time for strong currents to occur was before noon on Sunday. Nevertheless, the update issued by the weather service still advises inexperienced swimmers to avoid the water due to the unpredictable nature of rip currents and potential dangers they pose, including being swept away from shore or thrown head first into the sea bottom.

The storm system off the Carolina coast is considered a rare "homegrown development" by AccuWeather, in contrast to most tropical systems that originate thousands of miles from land, over the central Atlantic, and move westward towards shore. As cleanup efforts continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine, which made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane in Louisiana, more than 16,000 homes and businesses remain without power.

The weather system's potential for intensification is being closely monitored, as the impacted regions brace themselves for the potentially damaging effects of gusty winds, heavy rains, and the accompanying risk of flooding. Residents along the Carolina coast are urged to stay updated with the latest weather advisories and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.