Coastal Flood Advisory in effect as remnants of Zeta bring strong winds, possible coastal flooding

The remnants of hurricane Zeta, combined with a cold front moving through the Outer Banks area, has the potential to bring possible coastal flooding and strong winds to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, per a Wednesday evening update from the National Weather Service Newport / Morehead City Office.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for the northern Outer Banks and Hatteras Island from 2:00 p.m. on Thursday until 2:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Strong southwest winds on Thursday and Thursday night will cause minor coastal flooding on the soundside, especially from Hatteras Island north. Up to 2 feet of inundation above normally dry ground is possible in low-lying areas near the shorelines and tidal waterways.

As southwest winds shift into the northwest on Friday, (which is expected to occur from 7:00 a.m. to noon), water level rises are expected along soundside areas of Ocracoke and southern Hatteras Island.

Maximum wind gusts of 44 mph are currently forecast for Thursday, and low water levels may impact ferry service. Rough surf and a strong longshore current are also forecast, especially for beaches south of Cape Point in Buxton, and a high risk of rip currents is forecast for Thursday due to dangerous and life-threatening surf.

Isolated thunderstorms and a few tornadoes are also possible for Eastern N.C. after midnight on Thursday. The public is advised to have multiple ways to receive warnings as a precautionary measure.

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/.