NC Weather: Tropical Storm Arthur moving away from North Carolina

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Tropical Storm Arthur has now gotten as close to North Carolina as it is expected to get.

The center of the storm made it to about 20 miles east of Cape Hatteras. Rain and wind from the storm pushed inland as far as Interstate 95.

Wind gusts of at least 40 mph were recorded in at least two places on the Outer Banks

The storm is expected to lose its tropical characteristics some time Tuesday--by then it will have turned east and started moving away from the United States.

While Arthur will remain off the coast, rain bands from the storm pushed into land as early as Monday morning.

Towns near the coast including Newport and Havelock recorded more than 4 inches of rain Monday morning as others approached that number, according to the National Weather Service.

With systems like Arthur, the storm surge can still pose a significant threat. It's still possible the storm could bring life-threatening surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast.