A coastal storm, classified as Potential Tropical Cyclone 8, has brought heavy winds and rain to the southeastern U.S., affecting areas from South Carolina to North Carolina. The storm is generating tropical storm conditions, with maximum sustained winds reaching 40 mph and gusts up to 65 mph reported at Wrightsville Beach. Rainfall totals have surpassed a foot in some areas, particularly along the coast, leading to significant flooding, school closures, and hazardous conditions on roads. Tropical storm warnings are in effect from Edisto Beach to Ocracoke Inlet, with further rainfall expected to exacerbate flooding risks through early Tuesday. The storm's organization is diminishing, raising doubts about its likelihood of becoming a named storm, Helene, before making landfall. As the system moves inland, it poses risks of flash flooding and coastal erosion, impacting both urban and rural areas alike.