Claims News Service, July 18, 3:53 p.m. EDT — A tropical storm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of North Carolina because of a developing tropical depression that has formed 210 miles off the coast of the state. The depression currently has sustained winds that are peaking at 35 mph.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is reporting that the depression is moving toward the north at roughly five miles per hour and could make a slow turn toward the north-northwest later tonight or Wednesday. The NHC also is predicting storm surges two-to-four feet above normal levels and is expecting winds of 40-50 mph by Wednesday evening, continuing into Thursday. If the depression's sustained winds reach that speed, the depression would be reclassified as a tropical storm and would be named Tropical Storm Beryl.

The first tropical storm of 2006, named Alberto, formed on June 10 and had maximum wind speeds reach 70 mph. It produced heavy rain over Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia that resulted in minimal flooding but no major damage.