Coastal storm could bring flooding, ocean overwash Sunday through Wednesday

A low pressure system will linger off the coast from Sunday morning through Wednesday, bringing strong northeast winds and the potential for ocean overwash and coastal flooding, per a Saturday morning update from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport / Morehead City office.

Minor to locally moderate ocean overwash is likely from Oregon Inlet to Cape Hatteras, affecting beachfront properties and impacting travel on N.C. Highway 12 around the times of high tide for several days. Significant beach erosion north of Cape Hatteras is possible.

Strong north to northeast winds will also lead to prolonged minor coastal flooding along the shores of the southern Pamlico Sound, particularly for southern Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island, with 1-2 feet of inundation above ground level forecasted.

Powerful surf and dangerous rip currents can also be expected for all Outer Banks beaches north of Cape Lookout.

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/.