Tropical storm warning issued for US East Coast with landfall expected in North Carolina on Friday

MIAMI (AP) — The National Hurricane Center says a storm churning in waters off the eastern U.S. has increased to tropical storm strength and is forecast to reach the North Carolina coast. The center reports the storm, currently designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen, is expected to make landfall in North Carolina on Friday morning. The storm late Thursday night was located about 355 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and about 395 miles south Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and moving north at 3 mph with top sustained winds of 40 mph. Storm surges between 3 and 5 feet are forecast for parts of North Carolina.