Flash Flood Watch Issued for the Outer Banks; 1.5-2 Inches of Additional Rainfall Forecast for Hatteras, Ocracoke Islands

A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Eastern North Carolina, including Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, due to 1.5 to 3 inches of additional rainfall expected over the next several days, per a Wednesday afternoon briefing from the National Weather Service Newport / Morehead City office.

Soils are already saturated from heavy rains over the past week, and 1.5-2 inches of rain is expected for the Outer Banks on Thursday and Friday, with up to 3 inches of rain forecast for mainland N.C. This could bring flooding issues to low-lying areas on the islands, and especially for communities close to creeks, canals, and other bodies of water.

Per the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), there are still spots along N.C. Highway 12 with standing water from the previous week’s rainfall. In addition, NCDOT crews will be out this week between 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to reinforce the dune at Mirlo Beach. Travelers are advised to proceed with caution, and to allow for extra travel time as needed, as delays are possible.

For more information on the local forecast, visit www.weather.gov/mhx and enter your location in the top-left search bar, or visit the National Weather Service office in Newport / Morehead City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.