Coastal Flood Watch, High Wind Warning, High Surf Advisory issued ahead of weekend storm
Multiple advisories have been issued ahead of a coastal storm that is expected to affect Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands this weekend, per a Friday afternoon briefing from the National Weather Service Newport / Morehead City office.
A Coastal Flood Watch, High Surf Advisory, High Wind Warning, and Gale Warning are all in effect starting on Saturday, due to a strong low pressure system that will almost certainly have impacts on the Outer Banks, and N.C. Highway 12.
Ocean overwash is forecast on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, especially north of Cape Hatteras in Buxton. Impacts to N.C. Highway 12 are expected, and the greatest threat of ocean overwash is around the morning high tides on Sunday and Monday, (9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., respectively), although overwash is possible on Saturday and Tuesday as well. Before traveling to the Outer Banks this weekend, visitors are urged to check the current driving conditions at DriveNC.gov.
On Friday, N.C. Department of Transportation officials used heavy equipment to push sand onto dunes from Pea Island to Ocracoke, and then staged graders, excavators, and other equipment along potential trouble spots along N.C. Highway 12 in case conditions worsen through the weekend.
15 to 20 ft. waves in the surf zone will lead to dangerous beach conditions and erosion, and soundside flooding is also possible, especially for southern Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. Moderate to major inundation with water levels 2-4 feet above ground level is possible along the soundside from Saturday morning through Monday morning, with flooding highly likely for low-lying areas immediately adjacent to the Pamlico Sound.
Peak wind gusts of 50-60 mph are forecast on Sunday through Sunday night, and a total of 4-6” inches of rainfall is also expected with the storm. Localized flash flooding is possible in low-lying areas.
For more information on the local forecast, visit www.weather.gov/mhx for general weather information, or the National Weather Service office in Newport / Morehead City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.
