"Tropical Storm Ophelia Threatens US Mid-Atlantic with Heavy Rain and Wind"

Tropical Storm Ophelia is gaining strength as it approaches the mid-Atlantic coast, with a hurricane watch issued for parts of eastern North Carolina. The storm is expected to make landfall on Saturday morning, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the region. North Carolina and Virginia have declared a state of emergency, and schools and events have been canceled in preparation. Ophelia could dump up to 7 inches of rain in some areas and cause storm surges of 3 to 5 feet. Climate change may contribute to the increased frequency of storms like Ophelia.