Ernesto Comes Ashore In N.C.

The center of Tropical Storm Ernesto and its 70 mile per hour winds came ashore at about 11:45 p.m. near Long Beach, North Carolina.

Ernesto picked up steam during the day Thursday, more than doubling its wind speed, as it traveled across the warm waters of the Atlantic on its way to the Carolinas, forcing the closing of ports and campgrounds.

Virginia's governor declared a state of emergency and hundreds of National Guardsmen were activated there and in the Carolinas. Forecasters issued a hurricane watch for the northern half of the South Carolina coast and the southern portion of the North Carolina shore.

In a region that has a long acquaintance with violent tropical storms, Ernesto's winds are of less concern than the very real threat of flooding. Even before Ernesto drew near, central and parts of eastern North Carolina were already drenched by thunderstorms that began Wednesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service says Ernesto's leading edge has already dumped more than 8 inches of rain on the Wilmington, N.C., area - setting a new record for rainfall for August 31st.

"We need some rain around here — just not all at once," said Jean Evans, a convenience store worker on North Carolina's Holden Beach.

Ernesto briefly reached hurricane strength Sunday, but lost much of its punch crossing mountainous eastern Cuba and was a tropical storm by the time it made landfall in Florida on Tuesday night.

It weakened further to a tropical depression as it moved over the state, but gained strength and was upgraded again late Wednesday as it moved over the warm waters of the Atlantic.

It is expected to weaken again after landing in the Carolinas. Still, a large area could be affected by rain and tropical storm-force winds that extended up to 115 miles from Ernesto's center.

"It's going to be a significant flooding event through eastern North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and on up into the North East," said CBS News hurricane expert Bryan Norcross.

Tom Matheson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington, said the storm's frequent intensity changes were surprising.

"But when you're dealing with tropical cyclones, very little is unusual," he said. "It's very difficult to forecast and even to measure one of these systems over the ocean. In the world of meteorology, it's just one surprise after another."

In Virginia, Gov. Timothy Kaine declared a state of emergency, preparing the Virginia National Guard and state agencies to take all reasonable actions to protect residents. In Pennsylvania, officials worried about the storm reaching a dam north of Pittsburgh that was damaged by recent heavy rain there.

No evacuations were ordered in the Carolinas, though both states' governors urged residents to keep abreast of forecasts and obey any instructions to get out of danger.

North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley activated 200 National Guard troops and had other emergency teams on standby.

Easley urged residents to stay at home overnight while the worst of the storm passed, and be sure conditions are safe before going to work or starting the Labor Day holiday weekend on Friday. A few school districts announced plans to start classes late on Friday.

"Certainly, if you're going to the coast, wait until Friday afternoon," Easley said.

He repeatedly warned of the danger of high water, particularly after the worst of the storm is over. A 13-year-old boy drowned while playing near a culvert as the remnants of Tropical Storm Alberto passed through the state in June.

"Don't let your children get out in these fast-moving streams. They can be washed away in seconds," he said.

Flash floods were already being reported in some coastal cities by mid-afternoon.

Sean Gainer was driving down a street in Wilmington when his car suddenly stalled in two feet of water. By the time he and others pushed it to safety, the water in the road had receded.

"I've driven in hurricanes and I've seen worse than this. That kind of luck just happens," he said.