Soundside flooding reported in Ocracoke, Hatteras Village

Soundside flooding was starting to impact Ocracoke village and Hatteras village on Sunday morning, per multiple reports. Continued moderate to major soundside flooding with water levels 2-4 feet above ground level is forecast through Monday, and especially for southern Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island.

As of 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, N.C. Highway 12 was closed in between Rodanthe and Oregon Inlet due to ocean overwash in the Mirlo Beach area and Pea Island. Overwash was also reported in northern Buxton, and Avon in the Ocean View Drive vicinity, however, the highway had not been impacted in Avon as of Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

N.C. Highway 12 is still open on Ocracoke Island, however, all ferry operations on Ocracoke have been suspended due to high winds and storm conditions.

Moderate to major ocean overwash is expected to continue to occur until Monday at the earliest, and additional impacts to N.C. Highway 12 are probable.

15 to 20 ft. waves in the surf zone will lead to dangerous beach conditions and erosion, and peak wind gusts of 45-60 mph are forecast on Sunday through Sunday night. A total of 2-4” inches of rainfall is also expected with the storm, and localized flash flooding is possible in low-lying areas.

For more information on the local forecast, visit www.weather.gov/mhx for general weather information, or the National Weather Service office in Newport / Morehead City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.