Special Weather Statement issued September 18 at 7:42PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC

**Special Weather Statement issued September 18 at 7:42PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC**

At 741 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking an outflow boundary and strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Rooks to near Ashton to near Topsail. Movement was south at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include... Wilmington, Burgaw, Wrightsville Beach, Surf City, Figure Eight Island, Rich Inlet, Johnny Mercer Pier, Hampstead, Northwest, Topsail Beach, Point Caswell, Hightsville, Long Creek, Cape Fear Community College North Campus, Ashton, Wilmington International Airport, Murrayville, Rocky Point, Currie, and Castle Hayne.

This includes the following highways... Interstate 40 between mile markers 398 and 416. Interstate 140 between mile markers 15 and 20.

**What You Should Do:**

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Strong wind gusts may occur prior to any rain as the outflow boundary moves through.

**Alert Details:**

- **Severity:** Moderate

- **Urgency:** Expected

- **Issued by:** NWS Wilmington NC

- **Effective:** Sep 18, 2026 7:42 PM UTC

- **Expires:** Sep 18, 2026 8:30 PM UTC

*This alert was automatically distributed from the National Weather Service via the IPAWS All-Hazards Information Feed.*