Joaquin's path still uncertain, but we could get heavy rain, waves out of it

The National Hurricane Center's latest cone of probability shows the storm maybe hitting the Carolinas or the mid-Atlantic states rather than New England, but given all the rain we're getting, we might be in for some flooding should it get within a few hundred miles of us. A 5 p.m. update by the hurricane center says:

Even if Joaquin stays well out to sea, strong onshore winds will create minor to moderate coastal flooding along the coasts of the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states through the weekend. ...

Many areas of the eastern U.S. are currently experiencing heavy rains and gusty winds associated with a frontal system. This inclement weather is expected to continue over the next few days, which could complicate preparations for Joaquin should it head toward the coast, and greatly exacerbate the impacts from the hurricane. Heavy rains are likely to continue over these areas even if the center of Joaquin stays out to sea.

The center adds the forecast is still far from certain because while most computer models show the storm hitting the East Coast, one model, which is usually reliable, shows it veering off towards Bermuda instead.

The next NHC update comes at 11 p.m.