 Rough surf from Gabrielle along the coast of Florida drowned one surfer and forced the rescue of 200 swimmers . Officials at New Smyrna Beach estimated 6 to 9 feet ( 1 @.@ 8 to 2 @.@ 7 m ) seas . By early on September 9 , the outer rainbands began affecting southeastern North Carolina . Sustained winds of tropical storm force from the storm occurred along coastline , unofficially reaching 44 miles per hour ( 71 km / h ) at Frisco . Wind gusts were stronger , unofficially reaching 61 miles per hour ( 98 km / h ) at Ocracoke . Along the coast , rough surf was reported , and waves reached 10 to 12 feet ( 3 @.@ 0 to 3 @.@ 7 m ) . Rip currents caused numerous swimmers to be rescued by lifeguards . Heavy rainfall from the storm was confined to near its immediate landfall location , peaking at 9 @.@ 03 inches ( 229 mm ) at a station 7 @.@ 2 miles ( 12 km ) to the east @-@ northeast of Newport ; other areas reported 4 to 8 inches ( 0 @.@ 10 to 0 @.@ 20 m ) . Two offshore ships observed tropical storm @-@ force winds , though the reports were considered to be overestimated . 
