Tropical Storm Warning issued for the Outer Banks
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Outer Banks which means that tropical storm-force winds of 39 to 73 mph are expected in the area within the next 36 hours, per an update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office.
Rainfall and ocean hazards remain the leading threats from Idalia, with 4-8 inches of rain forecast for Wednesday through Friday. Within the heaviest bands of rain, isolated totals of up to 10” of rain are also possible.
As for storm surge, oceanside inundation (1-3 feet above ground level) of low-lying areas is forecast, and there may also be 1-3 feet of soundside inundation from Buxton to Hatteras Village. The public is advised to protect vehicles and property parked or stored in areas that may flood.
Increasing winds should peak at 35-45 mph with gusts of up to 55 mph on Thursday, August 31, and winds will diminish slowly on Friday, September 1. Actions should be taken now to secure loose property to keep it from becoming a projectile hazard.
Minor ocean overwash was reported with Tuesday night’s 7:00 p.m. high tide on Ocracoke Island, in southern Hatteras village, and in Rodanthe. As of Wednesday morning, N.C. Highway 12 was open and clear throughout Hatteras Island, with NCDOT crews working to clear the roadway of sand and any remaining standing water.
Additional overwash is possible due to distant Hurricane Franklin and Idalia, especially around the times of high tide. The next high tide is approximately 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
A few isolated tornadoes are also possible for southern Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday, which may produce enhanced areas of damage. Dangerous rip currents are also forecast for Wednesday throughout the Outer Banks.
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division is expecting significant schedule impacts system-wide beginning Wednesday due to the anticipated arrival of severe weather conditions from Hurricane Idalia.
The Ocracoke Express passenger ferry will suspend service starting Wednesday, as the vessel will be brought to the Manns Harbor shipyard for safekeeping during the storm. All other routes will suspend operations if and when conditions worsen. Passengers can receive real-time text or email alerts from their preferred routes by signing up for the Ferry Information Notification System (FINS) at www.ncdot.gov/fins. System-wide route status updates will also be posted on the Ferry Division’s Twitter and Facebook pages.
Remember that the forecast for Hurricane Idalia will continue to be refined, and the public can check for updates on the NWS Newport/Morehead office’s website at weather.gov/mhx/tropical.
