NEWPORT — Forecasters say Hurricane Sandy could lash the North Carolina coast with up to five inches of rain and winds of 30 to 50 mph as it tracks north along the U.S. coast.

The National Weather Service office in Newport said Thursday the threat to eastern North Carolina this weekend could be limited if predictions hold and the storm stays offshore. A possible turn west could brush the Outer Banks.

The main flooding threat will be on the southern end of the Pamlico Sound and east facing beaches along the Outer Banks on Sunday.

National Weather Service senior forecaster Brian Cullen says some areas could see moderate coastal flooding of up to four feet, spelling trouble for any waterside homes not raised onto stilts.