Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, bringing heavy rain, damaging winds, and dangerous surges along the coastal areas of North Carolina and Virginia. The storm initially had near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph (113 kph), but weakened as it moved north. Ophelia is expected to continue northeast along the mid-Atlantic coast to New Jersey. Videos shared on social media showed significant flooding in riverfront communities such as New Bern, Belhaven, and Washington in North Carolina.

The extent of the damage is still unclear. The storm also led to power outages in several eastern counties, leaving tens of thousands of homes and businesses without electricity. The primary concern with Ophelia is the threat of floods from the heavy rainfall. Parts of eastern North Carolina and southern Virginia are expected to see significant rainfall amounts, with up to 5 inches (13 centimeters) in some areas and 1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 centimeters) in the rest of the mid-Atlantic region. The governors of North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland have declared a state of emergency to ensure that communities have the necessary resources to prepare and respond to the storm.

Schools closed early and several events were canceled in anticipation of the storm's impact. The National Hurricane Center Director, Michael Brennan, mentioned that it is not uncommon for one or two tropical storms to develop off the East Coast during hurricane season. Climate change is believed to be a factor in the increased frequency and intensity of storms like Ophelia, with studies suggesting that hurricanes may expand their reach into mid-latitude regions more often. This could result in storms tracking closer to the coasts of major cities, including Boston, New York, and Virginia, and an increased likelihood of storm formation along the Southeast coast.