The storm made landfall about 11:45 a.m. Sunday near Cape Lookout, N.C. But the storm then turned back toward the ocean, heading northeast at 10 mph, the National Hurricane Center in Miami reported.

The center predicted the storm, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, would continue on the northeasterly trajectory for at least 24 hours.

Storm surge flooding along the North Carolina coast was predicted to subside overnight.

Numerous storm warnings were issued earlier, including in North Carolina and Virginia.