High risk of rip currents continues on Saturday; N.C. Highway 12 remains open and clear

A high risk of rip currents continues on Saturday from Buxton to Duck, (while a moderate risk of rip currents is in effect from Frisco to Ocracoke), due to the lingering effects of offshore Hurricane Fiona, per an update from the National Weather Service.

An elevated threat of rip currents will likely remain through the weekend, and beachgoers are advised to check the National Weather Service’s beach forecast at https://www.weather.gov/beach/mhx before heading to the shoreline.

A high risk of rip currents means that the surf zone is dangerous for all levels of swimmers, and beachgoers should stay out of the water.

Hurricane Fiona brought minor ocean overwash to southern Hatteras Island and northern Ocracoke Island on Thursday, but N.C. Highway 12 was never closed or severely impacted during the multiple-day period of large swells.

There was no ocean overwash reported with Friday evening’s 6:30 p.m. high tide, or Saturday morning’s 7:00 a.m. high tide. Some small patches of sand or rainwater may remain on the roadway in several locations, but no additional flooding is expected this weekend.

Newly formed Tropical Storm Ian, however, is moving slowly west through the central Caribbean Sea, and impacts to eastern North Carolina are possible late next week.

Ian is forecast to turn north through the western Caribbean Sea early next week and strengthen into a hurricane as it moves into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. Any impacts to the Outer Banks from Ian will be highly dependent on the eventual track, which will become clearer in the days ahead.

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/.