The rain will pick up through Friday for the Carolinas.
Winds are expected to be between 20 and 30 mph with higher gusts reaching 40 mph or more.
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: A wall of a condo was torn off as hurricane Ian passed through on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 29: Street signs are seen in the water in a flooded street in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. The storm has caused widespread power outages and flash flooding in Central Florida as it crossed through the state after making landfall in the Fort Myers area as a Category 4 hurricane. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 29: Members of the Florida National Guard look for stranded residents in a flooded neighborhood in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. The storm has caused widespread power outages and flash flooding in Central Florida as it crossed through the state after making landfall in the Fort Myers area as a Category 4 hurricane. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
A fallen sign following Hurricane Ian in Venice, Florida, US, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Ian, now a hurricane again, is threatening to carve a new path of destruction through South Carolina Friday when it roars ashore north of Charleston. Photographer: Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Images
PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: In this aerial view, vehicles drive through standing water left in the wake of Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Port Charlotte, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges, and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: The pilings from Fort Myers Beach pier are all that are left after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: People walk past a building destroyed as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, boats are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
BONITA SPRINGS, FL - SEPTEMBER 29: Debris is strewn across the beach caused by Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Bonita Springs, Florida. The storm made a U.S. landfall on Cayo Costa, Florida, and brought high winds, storm surges, and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: (L-R) Brock Hall and Brenda Hall cook lunch on their barbeque as Hurricane Ian passed through on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, flooded homes are shown after Hurricane Ian moved through the Gulf Coast of Florida on September 29, 2022 in Port Charlotte, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
An EF-2 tornado struck Delray Beach, Florida, as Hurricane Ian began its approach to Florida's west coast on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022.
An EF-2 tornado struck Delray Beach, Florida, as Hurricane Ian began its approach to Florida's west coast on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022.
An EF-2 tornado struck Delray Beach, Florida, as Hurricane Ian began its approach to Florida's west coast on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022.
People walk along the beach looking at property damaged by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Florida. The storm made a U.S. landfall on Cayo Costa, Florida, and brought high winds, storm surges, and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Tom Park begins cleaning up after Hurricane Ian moved through the Gulf Coast of Florida on September 29, 2022 in Punta Gorda, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
A flooded trailer park following Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, US, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Hurricane Ian, one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the US, weakened to a tropical storm but continues to dump rain on the state as it makes its way up the US Southeast. Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A truck in a flooded driveway following Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, US, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Hurricane Ian, one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the US, weakened to a tropical storm but continues to dump rain on the state as it makes its way up the US Southeast. Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A resident sits on a boat on a flooded street following Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, US, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Hurricane Ian, one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the US, weakened to a tropical storm but continues to dump rain on the state as it makes its way up the US Southeast. Photographer: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images
BARTOW, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: A downed tree blocks the road after being toppled by the winds and rain from Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Bartow, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In this aerial view, vehicles make their way through a flooded area after Hurricane Ian passed through on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
A boat is left stranded on the shore in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. - Hurricane Ian left much of coastal southwest Florida in darkness early on Thursday, bringing
A man inspects damage to a marina as boats are partially submerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. - Hurricane Ian left much of coastal southwest Florida in darkness early on Thursday, bringing
A man cycles through water past a downed street lamp in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022. - Hurricane Ian left much of coastal southwest Florida in darkness early on Thursday, bringing
FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Stedi Scuderi looks over her apartment after flood water inundated it when Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 28 Lew Hendrix collects palm branches blown down by the outer bands of Hurricane Ian in the Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa, FL, early Wednesday morning, September 28, 2022. (Ted Richardson/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
FORT MYERS FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: Frankie Romulus (L) and Kendrick Romulus stand outside of their apartment next to a boat that floated into their apartment complex when Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Mrs. Brennan said the boat floated in around 7pm. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
SAINT PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: A local worker cleans debris in downtown Saint Petersburg after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Saint Petersburg, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)
Boats are pushed up on a causeway after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Florida.
Tobacco farm owner Maritza Carpio cries next to her husband Ramon Martinez while looking at their destroyed tobacco house after the passage of Hurricane Ian in San Luis, Cuba, on September 27, 2022. -
In this aerial view, vehicles make their way through a flooded area after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Florida.
Boats are pushed up on a causeway after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Florida.
Boats are pushed up on a causeway after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Florida.
Carol Nies (left) and Heidi Smith survey the damage after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Florida.
Motorists travel across the John Ringling Causeway as Hurricane Ian churns to the south on September 28, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida.
Storm debris litters a street in the wake of Hurricane Ian September 28, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida.
Sisters Angel Disbrow (right) and Selena Disbrow walk along the shore of a receded Tampa Bay as water was pulled out from the bay in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022, in Tampa, Florida.
A tree is uprooted by strong winds as Hurricane Ian churns to the south on September 28, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida.
Local residents walk in the middle of rain and heavy wind at the St. Pete pier as the Hurricane Ian hits the west coast on September 28, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Local residents walk in the middle of rain and heavy wind at the St. Pete pier as the Hurricane Ian hits the west coast on September 28, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Florida.
A sailboat is beached at Sarasota Bay as Hurricane Ian approaches on September 28, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida.
General view of St. Pete Beach bay as strong winds from Hurricane Ian arrive on September 28, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Florida.
People watch sailboats at Sarasota Bay as Hurricane Ian approaches on September 28, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida.
Wind gusts blow across boats in the St. Pete pier as the Hurricane Ian hits the Florida west cost on September 28, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Brent Shaynore runs to a sheltered spot through the wind and rain from Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022, in Sarasota, Florida.
The peak of the storm in our area will be late Friday afternoon before it slowly settles down shortly after midnight.
Gusty winds, along with rainfall as the storm passes through could lead to some trees down and power outages. Short-lived tornadoes are also a small possibility.
Rain totals could be over 4 inches which will lead to flood concerns, especially east of Charlotte, where we expect to see higher rain totals.
>> Check back for updates. You can also go to the National Hurricane Center for the most up-to-date information.
The American Red Cross is urging everyone in the region to make their storm preparations now. The organization has disaster teams and more relief supplies on the way to the region to support people impacted by Ian.
Mecklenburg County government will close its offices at noon Friday.
Friday afternoon sessions at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse scheduled for Friday have been canceled.
The courthouse will be open to the public and employees in the morning. The building will close at 1 p.m.
The Clerk of Superior Court’s Office will be open until 1 p.m.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library locations will close at noon on Friday.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency Wednesday that waives transportation rules to help transport fuel and critical supplies, help first responders and the agriculture industry and protect consumers from price gouging. The price gouging law is in effect, Attorney General Josh Stein announced Wednesday after Gov. Cooper issued a state of emergency. Click here for more information.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency in anticipation of Ian moving north into the state.
Charlotte Motor Speedway opened its Rock City Campground beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday for evacuees seeking refuge from Ian.
North Carolina Emergency Response prepares for storm
North Carolina is preparing for heavy rainfall and possible flooding on Friday and Saturday from the remnants of Ian. Gov. Roy Cooper reminds residents that now is the time to complete their personal preparations.
“While we don’t yet know exactly how this storm will impact our state, it’s clear that this will be a significant rain event for much of North Carolina, and now is the time for people to get prepared,” Cooper said. “We are tracking the storm closely and strongly encourage everyone across the state to have an emergency kit and emergency plan in place.”
The State Emergency Response Team will activate Thursday at the State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh and plans to move to 24-hour operations on Friday morning.
Here are tips from state officials to make sure families are prepared:
Have multiple ways to receive emergency info, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your cell phone and download a weather app.
Have an emergency plan. Know where you would go if you need to evacuate. Make a plan to stay with family, friends or at a hotel. Public shelters should be a last resort.
Gather some emergency supplies or refresh your emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit.
If you live by the coast, you should know if you live in a coastal evacuation zone. Visit KnowYourZone.nc.gov to see if you are in a predetermined evacuation zone. Learn your zone and listen for it if evacuations are ordered by local governments.
McMaster also said the state is not experiencing any impact to its fuel supply due to the storm.
“Hurricanes and tropical storms are not just a coastal event. The effects of a hurricane or tropical storm can be felt throughout South Carolina and right now, that’s what it’s forecast to be,” said Kim Stenson, director of South Carolina’s emergency management division.
Duke Energy prepares to respond
Duke Energy is getting ready to respond in anticipation of power outages during the storm later this week.
A spokesperson for Duke Energy said the utility company will have extra crews on call. There are also workers in the Midwest ready to deploy to the Carolinas.
“In Charlotte, we have a lot of big trees with big limbs and so we work on that throughout the year to make sure those trees are trimmed appropriately,” Kureczka said.
Kureczka said that crews prepare year-round, so they don’t have to scramble ahead of the storms. The utility giant is also making improvements to its infrastructure.
“Throughout the year, Duke Energy is already working hard on improvements that are going to strengthen our grids,” said Kureczka. “So these will help avoid outages during times like hurricanes and other storms.”
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