The coastal flooding and high winds watch for Hatteras Island have been upgraded to a warning in the Thursday afternoon briefing from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport / Morehead City Office.
Maximum sustained winds up to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph are forecast beginning Friday, and will linger and last throughout the weekend. Seas up to 10-20 feet are also forecast through the weekend.
N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island will likely become flooded and impassable around times of high tide due to ocean overwash and erosion, and islanders should use caution when traveling over the weekend.
Soundside flooding is most likely Friday evening into early Saturday, while oceanside flooding is most likely later Saturday through Monday.
Flooding 2-3 feet above ground is possible from Hatteras north, and 2 feet of flooding is possible for Ocracoke Island.
The prolonged period of the winds could lead to significant beach erosion, and scattered power outages are also possible. Dare County Emergency Management advises residents to be ready to protect property from winds and water.
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/.
