Persons in the warning are urged to finish securing objects around

the house including lawn furniture... trash cans... and other loose

objects. Take down any poorly anchored tents or awnings. Newly

planted or Young trees and shrubs may be uprooted if not secured

properly. Preparations should be finalized as soon as possible.

... Winds...

as Sandy approaches... sustained tropical storm force winds are

expected to arrive during the mid to late afternoon and will

persist through Sunday morning for northeast coastal South

Carolina and Sunday afternoon for coastal southeast North

Carolina. Maximum winds are forecast to be in the 30 to 40 mph

range with gusts to 55 mph.

... Storm surge and storm tide...

at this time moderate coastal flooding is expected along the

beaches from near Wrightsville Beach southward to Bald Head

Island in North Carolina and from Garden City southward to

Georgetown South Carolina. Extensive beach erosion is expected

along all east facing beaches. The current forecast is for 2 to

4 feet of surge inundation above ground level... especially at

times of high tide early this morning... this evening... and the

high tide early Sunday morning.

Specifically... at Carolina Beach... street flooding could occur

along canal drive... possibly the parking lot at Carolina Beach

State Park... the south end of Kure Beach... Bald Head Island... and

other low-lying locations generally from Wrightsville Beach

southward to Fort Fisher. Street flooding is also possible in

Garden City Beach... Myrtle Avenue and Springs Avenue area in

Pawleys Island... and low lying locations around Winyah Bay near

the city of Georgetown.

Moderate to major beach erosion is also possible in these

locations from significant wave action along the shoreline.

... Inland flooding...

one to three inches of rain is possible with isolated higher

amounts. The highest amounts are expected across coastal

southeast North Carolina. Rain will increase in coverage during

the day today and continue tonight. Conditions will start slowly

improve late Sunday. Isolated areas of flooding are possible...

especially along the coast.

... Coastal hazards...

a high rip current risk is in effect for all area beaches.

Breakers are expected to build up to 10 to 12 feet.