High winds, large surf, and coastal flooding possible through Monday night

A strong cold front will impact the Outer Banks and Eastern N.C. area on Monday, bringing high sustained winds, possible coastal flooding, large surf and beach erosion, and possible tornadoes, per a Monday morning briefing from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport / Morehead City office.

Coastal flooding is possible along the soundside from Avon to Roanoke Island on Monday, and large, powerful surf and beach erosion, with possible overwash of weak dunes, is also possible south of Oregon Inlet. Offshore waves of 15-20 ft. are currently forecasted for Monday and Monday night along the Outer Banks, with hazardous conditions for all mariners.

As of 8:00 a.m. on Monday, N.C. Highway 12 was open and passable throughout the islands.

Strong winds with gusts up to 60 mph likely throughout the day, especially with corresponding thunderstorms, which could damage structures and cause power outages. A High Wind Warning is currently in effect for most of the Outer Banks until 6:00 p.m.

Large hail and tornadoes are also possible for Eastern N.C., and the NWS advises all residents to ensure that they have multiple ways to receive warnings Sunday and Monday. This includes the NWS website at www.weather.gov/mhx, broadcast media, NOAA Weather Radio, and / or access to a cell phone and social media. (The NWS also automatically tweets out warnings via their Twitter page at www.twitter.com/nwsmoreheadcity.)

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/.