Heavy Rains, Severe Weather Heading to the Islands on Thursday / Friday

Heavy rains, dangerous seas, and severe weather with the potential for isolated thunderstorms and a possible tornado is forecast for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands starting on Thursday night, per a Wednesday afternoon briefing from the National Weather Service Newport / Morehead City Office.

Up to four inches of rain is currently forecast for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands beginning on Thursday afternoon and continuing into Friday. With high amounts of rain on top of already saturated grounds, flash flooding is possible, and ponding on roads is expected during heavier periods of rain.

Large waves and dangerous seas are also forecast with the storm, with seas up to 17 feet off of Hatteras Island. Isolated thunderstorms have the potential to bring strong winds or even a tornado, which may occur sometime between Thursday evening and very early Friday morning, especially along the coastline. Residents are advised that the greatest potential for severe weather and a possible tornado will be overnight on Thursday, when most people are sleeping.

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/.