Coastal Flood Warning Extended to 5 p.m. Sunday in Latest National Weather Service Briefing

March 3, 2018 | Local News

High winds and possible coastal flooding remained in the forecast for Saturday in the 7:30 a.m. briefing from the National Weather Service Newport / Morehead City Office.

Moderate to significant coastal flooding of 2 to 4 feet above ground is forecast, with both soundside and oceanside flooding likely today through Monday.

Winds will continue to remain high, with maximum wind gusts up to 45 mph, but will start to taper off by Monday. The High Wind Warning issued for coastal areas of the Outer Banks has been changed to a Wind Advisory through Sunday afternoon/evening, and all Storm Warnings have been changed to Gale Warnings for the coastal waters. Peak seas of 20 ft. continue to be forecast for the duration of the storm.

Soundside flooding was reported in every village on Friday, with some stretches of N.C. Highway 12 virtually impassable. The sound waters have since receded in many areas, but oceanside flooding becomes a greater concern through the rest of the weekend.

Due to the high winds, all ferry departures from Ocracoke, Cedar Island, and Swan Quarter have been canceled until further notice due to the severe wind conditions.

Dare County Emergency Management advises residents and visitors to use caution since many roads and neighborhoods will continue to experience flooding, particularly during periods of high tide. The next high tide is around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.

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/.