Tropical Storm Ophelia has been downgraded to a post-tropical low, but it continues to pose a threat of coastal flooding and flash floods in the mid-Atlantic region, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Residents in parts of coastal North Carolina and Virginia have experienced flooding due to the storm, which made landfall near a North Carolina barrier island. The storm brought rain, damaging winds, and dangerous surges.

As of 11 p.m. Saturday, Ophelia is located about 30 miles south-southwest of Richmond, Virginia, and about 85 miles southeast of Charlottesville, Virginia. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph with higher gusts.

Coastal flood warnings and flood watches are still in effect for portions of the region.

The center of Ophelia is expected to move across eastern Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula through Sunday, turning toward the north-northeast and northeast.

Areas from Virginia to New Jersey are likely to receive 1 to 3 inches of rain, with some places receiving up to 5 inches. Some New Jersey shore communities, including Sea Isle City, have already experienced flooding.

Areas of southeastern New York and southern New England could also receive 1 to 3 inches of rain. Surf swells are expected to affect much of the East Coast throughout the weekend.

According to Philippe Papin, a hurricane specialist with the center, the primary risk going forward will be the threat of floods from the rain. Tropical storm-force winds have been observed but are gradually subsiding as the system moves inland.

Ophelia came ashore near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. However, winds weakened as the system traveled north.

There have been reports of significant flooding in riverfront communities such as New Bern, Belhaven, and Washington in North Carolina. The extent of the damage is not immediately clear.

Prior to making landfall, Ophelia required a nighttime rescue mission by the Coast Guard to save five people, including three children, aboard a sailboat in North Carolina. No injuries were reported.

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses in eastern North Carolina are without electricity. Power outages are scattered across the area due to fallen tree limbs and power lines.

The governors of North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland have declared a state of emergency.

Scientists say climate change could result in hurricanes like Ophelia becoming more common and expanding their reach into mid-latitude regions.

In some areas affected by the storm, the impact has been modest, with minor leaks and strong winds but no major damage.

Tropical Storm Ophelia has been downgraded to a post-tropical low, but it continues to pose a threat of coastal flooding and flash floods in the mid-Atlantic region, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Residents in parts of coastal North Carolina and Virginia have experienced flooding due to the storm, which made landfall near a North Carolina barrier island. The storm brought rain, damaging winds, and dangerous surges.

As of 11 p.m. Saturday, Ophelia is located about 30 miles south-southwest of Richmond, Virginia, and about 85 miles southeast of Charlottesville, Virginia. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 35 mph with higher gusts.

Coastal flood warnings and flood watches are still in effect for portions of the region.

The center of Ophelia is expected to move across eastern Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula through Sunday, turning toward the north-northeast and northeast.

Areas from Virginia to New Jersey are likely to receive 1 to 3 inches of rain, with some places receiving up to 5 inches. Some New Jersey shore communities, including Sea Isle City, have already experienced flooding.

Areas of southeastern New York and southern New England could also receive 1 to 3 inches of rain. Surf swells are expected to affect much of the East Coast throughout the weekend.

According to Philippe Papin, a hurricane specialist with the center, the primary risk going forward will be the threat of floods from the rain. Tropical storm-force winds have been observed but are gradually subsiding as the system moves inland.

Ophelia came ashore near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. However, winds weakened as the system traveled north.

There have been reports of significant flooding in riverfront communities such as New Bern, Belhaven, and Washington in North Carolina. The extent of the damage is not immediately clear.

Prior to making landfall, Ophelia required a nighttime rescue mission by the Coast Guard to save five people, including three children, aboard a sailboat in North Carolina. No injuries were reported.

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses in eastern North Carolina are without electricity. Power outages are scattered across the area due to fallen tree limbs and power lines.

The governors of North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland have declared a state of emergency.

Scientists say climate change could result in hurricanes like Ophelia becoming more common and expanding their reach into mid-latitude regions.

In some areas affected by the storm, the impact has been modest, with minor leaks and strong winds but no major damage.