(ETH) – North Carolina has been reeling from destructive flooding that has left the death toll continuing to rise in the state and leaving the governor to issue a statewide state of emergency declaration on Friday according to Accuweather.
“This storm has already claimed several lives, and everyone should exercise caution by avoiding flooded roads and areas along swollen creeks and rivers,” Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement. “Our prayers go out to the families and friends of those who were injured or killed by these devastating floods.”
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Iota is expected to become a major Category 3 hurricane and bring dangerous storm surge, strong winds, and heavy rainfall to Central America into early next week, according to the National Hurricane Center. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the storm formed in the Caribbean on Friday afternoon, and become the 30th named storm of a record-breaking hurricane season growing from a tropical depression earlier Friday.
“On the forecast track, Iota will move across the southwest Caribbean Sea tonight and Sunday, pass near or over Providencia island on Monday and approach the coasts of Nicaragua and northeastern Honduras Monday afternoon or evening,” forecasters said.
