Severe weather forecast for late Sunday and Monday, including strong winds, coastal flooding and possible tornadoes

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

Coastal flooding is possible on Monday, (mainly along the soundside from Rodanthe to Roanoke Island), and large, powerful surf and beach erosion, with possible overwash of weak dunes, is also possible south of Cape Hatteras. Offshore waves of 15-20 ft. are currently forecasted for Monday and Monday night along the Outer Banks, and a Gale Watch is in effect for all area waterways.

Strong winds with gusts over 50 mph are also forecast, especially with corresponding thunderstorms, could damage structures and cause power outages.

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/.