A new potential tropical cyclone called Tropical Storm Ophelia surprised many as it popped up near the East Coast. It is expected to hit several states and cause some flooding.

According to USA Today, Tropical Storm Ophelia, which is not yet a hurricane, has made landfall in North Carolina and is expected to head further North, on its way to Pennsylvania. Its path would be causing some minor problems for some people, especially with the flooding as it might affect some plans over the weekend, including three pro football games.

As it is not yet a hurricane, this tropical storm only has winds of up to 50 mph, though meteorologists are warning that these wind speeds could still cause a few problems.

Daniel Leathers, Delaware state climatologist, noted that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) was careful not to call the storm approaching North Carolina a tropical storm. This is because there are scientific definitions between the two and Ophelia is considered a "hybrid between systems." He then explained the hurricane center is "careful to keep those separate to study the paths, characteristics, and impacts of both types of storms."

"The big thing is for people to not get hung up on if it has a name or is a tropical storm, but it will have the same impacts which will be the same no matter what we call it," he told USA Today.

Tropical Storm Ophelia Path, Updates

As it makes its way to Pennsylvania, Tropical Storm Ophelia's path is expected to take it through eastern North Carolina, southeast Virginia, Maryland, and the Delmarva Peninsula. It will move through eastern North Carolina Saturday, before hitting Virginia and Maryland Sunday. It will not become a hurricane as it is expected to weaken as it moves through land.

However, alerts have already been issued and a tropical storm warning has been placed on the eastern parts of North Carolina and Virginia, as well as southern Maryland.

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The Weather Channel is warning that Tropical Storm Ophelia is expected to bring heavy rain, strong wind gusts, high surf, and coastal flooding in some of the areas along its path. There is also a rainfall flooding from North Carolina to southern New England and coastal flooding may reach major levels in some parts of the mid-Atlantic.

Storm surge warnings have also been issued over several areas, from Bogue Inlet, North Carolina, to Chincoteague, Virginia. The affected areas include Chesapeake Bay, Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, and the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers. These storm surges might also cause flooding within the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Ophelia:State of Emergency Declared in Virginia 

While it is not as strong as a hurricane, government officials are already taking the storm seriously and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency on Friday afternoon. He stated that the state's Emergency Support Team will be activated until the storm passes.

"As this storm has organized and strengthened, it's becoming clear based on the latest forecasts that impacts to the commonwealth are likely," said the Virginia Republican. "We want to ensure that all communities, particularly those with the greatest anticipated impact, have the resources they need to respond and recover from the effects of this storm."

According to CBS News, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management has already announced that its officials are coordinating with local weather service offices to watch the system develop.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Tropical Storm Ophelia forms in Atlantic, could soon make landfall - FOX 13 Tampa Bay