The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning for the entire Outer Banks. A storm surge warning is also now in effect.

A hurricane warning means sustained winds of 74 mph or higher associated with a hurricane are expected within 36 hours. The warning will remain in effect while dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force, the weather service said.

A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline, somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours.

In a 5 p.m. statement issued by the weather service’s Morehead City, forecasters outlined expected impacted for the Outer Banks from Hurricane Florence. They include:

• Seas of 21 to 26 feet.
• Tropical storm force winds are expected Thursday through Saturday along the Outer Banks, with peak wind forecast at 40-50 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.
• Forecasters said life-threatening storm surge possible for the Outer Banks, with potential for 4-6 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas. The window for storm surge begins early Wednesday evening.
• Rain forecasts for the Outer Banks are predicted to be three to six inches, with locally higher amounts, the weather service said.