http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-tropical-weather0909sep09.story

Subtropical' Storm Heading to N.C. By Associated Press

September 9, 2002, 11:24 AM EDT

CAPE HATTERAS, N.C. -- High waves pounded the beaches Monday as Subtropical Storm Gustav headed toward the North Carolina coast, and authorities warned coastal residents to prepare for possible flooding.

"This will be no worse than a bad nor'easter for residents along the coast. But they need to be aware that it's coming and prepare for it," said Tom Ditt, a spokesman for the state Division of Emergency Management in Raleigh.

Because the summer holiday season is over, Ditt said, officials were less concerned about preparing evacuation routes than they were about warning residents to tie down lawn furniture.

A tropical storm warning was in effect from Cape Fear, N.C., northward to Currituck Beach, N.C., the National Hurricane Center said.

High surf and dangerous rip currents were likely Monday all along the Eastern Seaboard from New Jersey to the central Florida coast, said forecaster Richard Pasch.

Gustav had sustained wind of 45 mph, and it was expected to strengthen within the next 24 hours, Pasch said.

Waves rose 8 to 10 feet high off the coast near Cape Hatteras.

"The water is very churned up and huge waves are rolling in from off shore," said Keith Matthews, an employee of the Avon Fishing Pier. "I patched up part of a roof that was blown off this morning, and secured all the furniture. We hope it just blows on through."

Unlike the more common tropical storms, which are formed by warm air, subtropical storms have a combination of warm air in the lower half of the weather system and cold air on top, said hurricane specialist Stacy Stewart.

Subtropical storms are not common, with typically only one or two forming every year, Stewart said. Gustav could become a full tropical storm by the time its center nears the coast on Tuesday, the Hurricane Center said.

At 11 a.m. EDT, Gustav was about 245 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C., the hurricane center said. It was moving west-northwest at 10 mph, down from 12 mph three hours earlier, and was expected to continue that movement.

North Carolina can expect some beach erosion and flooding in low-lying areas, Ditt said.

The coastal highway along the Outer Banks could be awash, Ditt said. "It's the biggest concern we have right now because it can get cut off in many areas," he said.

Gustav is the seventh named storm of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

So far, none of the named storms this season have become hurricanes. Tropical storms become hurricanes if their sustained wind hits 74 mph.

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On the Net:

National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ Copyright © 2002, The Associated Press

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2002

Answers

Heads up, folks! Send up some rain!!

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2002

If i remember correctly, the last thing NC needs is a wet hurricane, or anything resembling it. At least, on the coast.

We're watching it closely.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2002

Well, it may not turn into anything. Tropical storm Dolly was DOA.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2002

So far, the forecasts are that it won't be much of a big deal. But "they" also said it was going to turn north and it hasn't yet. I notice the local portion of the Weather Channel has quietly slipped scattered showers into the forecast for tonight but that's all. The coast might get some nice rain but I doubt we will in the central portion. There's high surf, not surprisingly, and the winds are expected to be around 45. The coast expects some minor flooding but no evacs have been considered. Ain't nuthin'!

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2002

Okay, the local wearther pundit is now hedging his bets on Gustav's final wind speed. Could be because he's been so wrong so often but he might also know something we don't. He does, say, however, that Gustav WILL turn north by tomorrow morning.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 2002