Hurricane Isaias is heading for the US eastern seaboard and is likely to hit between north-eastern South Carolina and southern North Carolina.

Coastal communities in the Carolinas are bracing for the hurricane Isaias. Isaias was downgraded to a tropical storm as it hit islands in the Caribbean. Two people have died.

According to the international news agency, this is the ninth named storm of the year. It may lead to heavy rainfall, resulting in “widespread minor to moderate river flooding” and flash floods in the eastern Carolinas and mid-Atlantic as it moves along the US East Coast.

In north-eastern South Carolina and southern North Carolina, officials said “there is the danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation along portions of the immediate coastline and adjacent waterways”.

The storm can reach up to 5ft (1.5m) with over 8in (20cm) of rainfall. Tropical-storm-force winds and gusts will also hit the Chesapeake Bay region. Its center remained offshore of South Carolina.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper had called a state of emergency on Friday. He urged the citizens to stay alert and safe.

“North Carolinians have had to dig deep in recent months to tap into our strength and resilience during the pandemic. That hasn’t been easy.

“But with this storm on the way, we have to dig a little deeper. Let’s keep each other safe from the wind and water as well as from the virus.”