Eastern Carolina is on high alert for potentially deadly storms this afternoon and evening.

According to the National Weather Service, the greatest severe risk area will be along a warm front that will develop northwestward to near US Highway 1 by early afternoon, where the risk of significant tornadoes and large hail will be maximized.

To the southeast of that front, over the Coastal Plain, damaging straight line winds will be the primary hazard.

Scattered strong to severe storms are possible today, with the greatest threat between 1 PM and 6 PM. Isolated tornadoes, including significant long-track tornadoes, are possible, along with large hail the size of ping pong balls and damaging straight line winds over 60 mph.

North Carolina Emergency Management Chief of Staff Will Ray says the storms will sweep west-to-east across the state throughout the day.

Severe weather preparedness information can be found at ReadyNC.org.