Coastal Flood Watch, High Surf Advisory in effect for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands

April 8, 2023 | Local News | By: Joy Crist

Multiple advisories, including a Coastal Flood Watch, High Surf Advisory, Wind Advisory, and Gale Warning have been issued for the Outer Banks due to an Easter Weekend storm, per an update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office.

Large, dangerous surf and beach erosion are expected along the beaches from Duck to Cape Lookout, particularly late Saturday through Monday. Significant ocean overwash is possible for vulnerable areas on Hatteras Island, with up to 2-3 feet of inundation of low-lying areas.

N.C. Highway 12 remains open and passable throughout as of Saturday morning, per an update from the Dare County Sheriff’s Office.

“There are multiple patches of sand approximately 1 inch thick on the roadway between Pea Island and the Marc Basnight Bridge,” stated the Sheriff’s Office 6:00 a.m. update. “Please use extreme caution when driving if you need to travel and be on high alert for sand on the road.”

N.C. Highway 12 may be impacted by ocean overwash during the storm, especially during high tides from Saturday night through Monday.

The next high tide is approximately 9:45 p.m. on Saturday night.

Winds are currently expected to peak late tonight through Sunday morning with frequent wind gusts of around 50 mph for the Outer Banks from Oregon Inlet to Down East Carteret. Sustained 25-35 mph winds could linger into Monday.

The storm will also bring 2-3 inches of rainfall across most of eastern N.C., with the heaviest rainfall expected Saturday into Sunday.

Dangerous seas of 11-18 ft. are expected, peaking late tonight through Sunday. Mariners are advised to alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe conditions.

Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry operations have been suspended as of Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. due to high winds. The following cancellations have also been reported for the Ocracoke-mainland ferry routes:

Cedar Island to Ocracoke: 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Ocracoke to Cedar Island: 7:30 a.m.
Ocracoke to Swanquarter: 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Swanquarter to Ocracoke 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

For more information on the ferry schedule, please call 1-800 BY FERRY

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/.