Tropical Storm Michael was moving northeast at a speed of 23 miles per hour at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11.

The eye is about 300 miles west of Buxton. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 185 miles, mainly to the south and east of the center.

Eastern North Carolina and the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds remain under a tropical storm warning. Dare County is under storm surge watch as well as the tropical storm warning. A tornado watch is in effect in the eastern 55 North Carolina counties until 9 p.m., Thursday.

Storm winds are already building. At Frisco around noon, south winds are blowing around 21 with a gust to 29 miles per hour. In Rodanthe, south winds are around 20 miles per hour. A gust hit 43 Thursdaymorning.

The winds will shift. Around 6 tonight, the winds will start a shift to the southwest and blow around 40 miles per hour with gusts up to 55.

Around 2 Friday morning, the winds will shift to the west and fall to 25 miles per hour. The winds will steady at 25 on a shift to the northwest Friday morning.

The National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City predicts of two to four feet of soundside flooding from Avon to Nags Head and possibly up to 2 feet for Hatteras village.

Rainfall across the region is expected to run ½ to one inch from Hatteras village south and one to 1½ inches in Rodanthe, Columbia and Duck.

The National Weather Service states that seas will build to 10 to 15 feet creating dangerous marine conditions.

A high threat of rip currents has been in place on all Outer Banks beaches for the last week, states the National Park Service. Life-threatening rip currents for all area beaches are predicted to continue.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Superintendent David Hallac strongly recommends that visitors stay out of the Atlantic Ocean until dangerous conditions subside.

Closures

Dare County Schools has canceled all after-school activities. However, the After-School Enrichment Program will remain open Thursday afternoon.

Hyde County Government Offices closed at Noon, Oct. 11, due to Tropical Storm Michael. Hyde County offices are expected to reopen Friday for normal operating hours.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore campgrounds at Oregon Inlet, Cape Point, Frisco and Ocracoke are scheduled to close at 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11. “The campgrounds will reopen after the Tropical Storm Warning for the area is lifted,” states a media release.