Coastal Flood Warning in effect; Wind gusts of 45-50 mph expected along the Outer Banks

A period of gale-force northerly winds is expected through Wednesday morning, Feb. 7, resulting in a threat for minor to moderate coastal flooding along the Outer Banks, per an update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office.

Coastal flooding of 2-3 feet above ground level (with localized ocean overwash) is possible from Duck to Ocracoke Inlet, especially around the times of high tide on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

Rough surf and minor to locally moderate beach erosion are expected from Duck to Cape Hatteras, and N.C. Highway 12 may be impacted.

As of Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m., the highway was open and passable throughout with some blowing sand, however, minor ocean overwash was reported in the Mirlo Beach area in northern Rodanthe, which was not affecting N.C. Highway 12.

The next high tide is approximately 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Sounside flooding will also be possible along areas adjacent to the southern Pamlico Sound, especially for Down East Carteret County.

Wind gusts of 45-50 mph are expected with this system from Carteret County to the Outer Banks. A Gale Warning, High Surf Advisory, and Wind Advisory have also been issued for the coastal N.C. area.

The Hatteras-Ocracoke, Ocracoke-Swan Quarter, and Ocracoke-Cedar Island ferry operations have been suspended as of Tuesday morning. Operations will resume once winds subside and weather conditions improve.

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/.