Pre-Christmas storm to bring coastal flooding, strong winds, and freezing temperatures

A strong storm system will bring a number of impacts to the Outer Banks starting today, December 22, including strong winds, possible oceanside and soundside flooding, heavy rains, and freezing temperatures, per a Thursday morning update from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City office.

Minor to moderate soundside flooding is possible, with water levels 2-4 feet above ground level for Hatteras Island and the northern Outer Banks, and 1-2 feet above ground level for Ocracoke Island. The most likely timeframe for soundside flooding is Friday night through late Saturday.

Flood waters may impact travel on roads that flood with persistent westerly winds, and soundside water levels can be monitored on the state’s Flood Inundation Mapping and Alerting Network (FIMAN) at FIMAN.

Minor ocean overwash may affect N.C. Highway 12 and properties that are immediately adjacent to the beach, especially around times of high tide, and in vulnerable locations like the north end of Rodanthe where residents and visitors should be ready to protect property from ocean overwash. The next high tide is around 6:30 p.m.

7-11 ft. waves in the surf zone will result in dangerous surf and beach conditions, as well as hazardous conditions for small watercraft.

Strong winds with gusts of 50 mph or more are forecast through Friday night, and the Outer Banks could see up to two inches of rain from Thursday into Friday afternoon. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible for Eastern N.C., mainly from late Thursday morning through Thursday evening.

On Friday night and Saturday, the Outer Banks will see temperatures in the 20s with minimum wind chill temperatures in the single digits. With the wind and cold weather, power outages are possible until conditions begin to improve on Sunday and Monday, per an update from Drew Pearson, Director of Dare County Emergency Management.

A Coastal Flood Watch and High Surf Advisory remain in place for the Outer Banks. A High Wind Advisory was added on Thursday morning for west winds of 25-35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, which is expected from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow.

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