Ophelia slows down

HURRICANE Ophelia stalled yesterday just off North Carolina’s Outer Banks, prolonging the wind and rain which blasted the fragile barrier islands even as it appeared that the mainland had avoided severe flooding.

Thousands of homes and businesses had no electricity.

As the erratic storm slowed almost to a halt during the early afternoon, the National Hurricane Center said its northern eyewall, the ring of high wind surrounding the eye, could remain over the Outer Banks for 12 to 24 more hours.