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County officials are monitoring an approaching weather system that is expected to bring heavy rain and strong storms to the area Wednesday evening through Thursday.

Rain chances will begin to increase by 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, and light rain will be likely by 8 p.m., according to Beaufort County Emergency Services Deputy Director Chris Newkirk. Rain chances will remain through sunrise Friday, with the heaviest rains expected between 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday. Areas west of Blounts Creek and Bayview are expected to receive 1 ½ – 2 inches of rain, and areas east of that region are expected to receive 2-3 inches.

The threat of tornadoes and hail has diminished in recent forecast updates, but a few strong-to-severe storms remain possible. Those storms are most likely to occur between midnight tonight and 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

See the briefing from the National Weather Service.