North Carolina coast told to shelter in place as Hurricane Dorian hits

More than a quarter of a million homes and businesses were without power and North Carolinians were told to shelter in place as Hurricane Dorian, still a powerful Category 1 storm, drenched the coasts of the Carolinas and began spreading hurricane conditions along parts of the North Carolina coast early Friday.

More than 275,000 customers were without power, most of them in counties along the South Carolina coast and immediately inland, and many roads were closed by flooding.

Full coverage: Latest stories and video on Hurricane Dorian

"It has only started. We have a long night ahead of us," Gov. Roy Cooper said in urging North Carolinians to shelter in place on Thursday.

"Get to safety and stay there," Cooper said. "This won't be a brush-by. Whether it comes ashore or not, the eye of the storm will be close enough to cause extensive damage in North Carolina."

Storm Tracker: Click Here to Follow Dorian's Path

The Latest on Dorian:

• At 1 a.m., the hurricane was about 40 miles east-northeast of Wilmington, North Carolina, and was moving northeast at about 15 mph.

• The storm had weakened to a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of about 90 mph.

• Forecasters said the center of Dorian was expected to move near or make landfall over the North Carolina coast overnight or Friday.

• At least 30 people have died in the Bahamas, according to the health minister, and more deaths are expected to be reported.

• A second storm-related death was confirmed in North Carolina after a man died while moving his boat at an Inner Banks marina, authorities said.

2019-09-06