UPDATE:   Soundside and Oceanside Flooding Highlighted in Latest Storm Update

Soundside flooding from Oregon Inlet to Ocracoke Island is forecasted over the course of the imminent winter storm, per the late Wednesday morning update from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Newport / Morehead City.

Oceanside flooding is also possible north of Hatteras, and a total soundside water level rise of 2 to 3 feet is currently forecast during the storm. Deteriorating weather conditions will begin on Wednesday afternoon and will continue into Thursday.

Islanders should expect strong wind gusts, with maximum sustained winds in the 40-47 mph range, and maximum wind gusts in the 54- 59 mph range. There is also likely to be 1-2 inches of snow from Rodanthe south, with snowfall accumulation noticeably higher inland.

Hazardous travel is expected due to icing at the start of the storm, followed by accumulating snowfall. Strong winds will create blowing snow, and impacts may linger due to colder weather moving into the area.

Dare County was placed under a Winter Storm Warning on Tuesday afternoon, which is in effect from 3 p.m. on Wednesday until 1 p.m. on Thursday.

A Winter Weather Advisory was also issued for Ocracoke Island in the latest briefing from the National Weather Service.

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

The Island Free Press will continue to post updates on the potential storm and future snowfall as soon as they are available.