A weak low pressure system is expected to move along the Outer Banks, bringing heavy and widespread rainfall starting Thursday afternoon, according to an update from the National Weather Service (NWS).
The heaviest rains are expected in the southern Outer Banks, with Ocracoke Island forecasted to receive 2-3 inches of rain, but Hatteras Island could see up to 1.5 inches of rain, with isolated amounts up to 5 inches possible across Eastern North Carolina.
Flash flooding is possible, especially in low-lying areas with poor drainage systems.
Earlier this week, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that the low pressure system had a 10% chance of taking on tropical characteristics as it develops, however, there is no tropical cyclone formation expected during the next seven days, according to NHC’s Thursday morning tropical outlook.
A list of local Outer Banks resources for additional information is below
- For information on the local forecast, visit weather.gov/mhx for general weather information, or the National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.
- For local water level forecasts from the NWS, visit https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/mhx
- For updates regarding road conditions, visit DriveNC.gov and follow the North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office also shares local road condition updates on its Facebook page.
- To get notified of ferry delays or cancellations, sign up for text and/or email alerts via the N.C. Ferry System’s FINS system: www.ncdot.gov/fins.
