Atlantic season's first tropical storm unleashes heavy rain on North Carolina

Tropical Storm Arthur lashed North Carolina's Outer Banks with heavy rain before moving out to sea Monday, but its effects could cause "dangerous rip currants" on the U.S. East Coast for at least another day, per the National Hurricane Center.

The big picture: It dumped more than 4 inches of rain on Newport and Havelock and 2 inches elsewhere, "causing some secondary roads to flood," notes AP, which reports wind gusts of "40 mph or more" were recorded in "at least two places on the Outer Banks." Arthur was the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, forming off the east-central coast of Florida after strengthening from a tropical depression late Saturday, per the NHC. The season officially begins June 1.

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Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.