Coastal storm expected to impact the Outer Banks starting Sunday

Multiple advisories have been issued for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands due to a coastal storm that is expected to impact the Outer Banks starting Sunday, December 17, per an update National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City office.

A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect from 8:00 a.m. on Sunday until 4:00 p.m. on Monday. A High Wind Warning is in effect from Sunday at 8:00 a.m. until midnight. A Gale Warning and High Surf Advisory have also been issued.

Winds will pick up steadily throughout the day as rainfall increases. As winds increase, so will the potential for ocean overwash, especially along areas that are vulnerable when the swell is from the southeast. Travel on portions of N.C. Highway 12 could be impacted by flood waters as well as blowing sand and sea spray that could make travel unsafe, especially after dark.

Ferry service is expected to be impacted, and the Cedar Island-Ocracoke and Swan Quarter-Ocracoke routes have been canceled for Sunday.

Southeast winds of 30-40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are currently forecast for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, with peak wind gusts occurring on Sunday afternoon and evening.

Along the Pamlico Sound, moderate to major soundside flooding of 2-4 feet above ground level is possible from Ocracoke to Frisco, and 3-4 feet of soundside flooding is possible from Buxton to Oregon Inlet. Rapid water level rises along the soundside are most likely to occur overnight on Sunday through early Monday morning.

Up to 4 feet of ocean overwash is also forecast along the Outer Banks, particularly from late Sunday into early Monday. Per the NWS, significant overwash should be expected from Hatteras to Duck.

In addition to coastal flooding driven by the high winds, the forecast also includes periods of heavy rain of 1.5-2 inches through Sunday night, as well as large, dangerous surf and beach erosion for all areas of the Outer Banks.

Residents and visitors at oceanfront locations where there is no protective dune should be prepared to protect property and relocate before structures become surrounded by ocean water. Those who are located on the soundfront could see rapidly rising water levels as the wind shifts during the early morning hours of Monday, December 18.

Actions to protect property should be completed as early as possible but well before sunset on Sunday, December 17. Protective actions to consider include:

• moving vehicles away from the shoreline
• stowing outdoor property (including holiday decorations)
• moving personal possessions off the ground in areas that routinely flood

Be Prepared:

To receive National Weather Service alerts, create an OBX Alerts user profile at www.OBXAlerts.com and select the National Weather Service watch and warning lists or download the FEMA mobile app and select “Dare, NC” as your primary location.

For updates regarding road conditions, please visit DriveNC.gov and follow North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office also shares local road condition updates on their Facebook page.

To sign up to receive alerts if water levels in your area begin to rise due to storm surge, visit www.FIMAN.NC.gov and select the flood gauge(s) located in the waterway you’d like to monitor in real-time.