 The storm surge reached 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) in Beaufort County, flooding many homes and businesses.Just east of where it moved ashore, the storm dropped 14.6 inches (371 mm) of rainfall in Wrightsville Beach; this was the highest rainfall total associated with Ernesto in the United States.Much of the eastern portion of the state received over 3 inches (75 mm) of precipitation, and in the northeastern portion of the state, the precipitation caused flash flooding.