Significant threat of flooding Friday due to coastal storm

On November 18, 2024By Littum

A coastal storm will likely cause flooding along southern Hatteras Island and Ocracoke and ocean flooding from Oregon Inlet to Buxton starting early Friday morning.

“With strong northerly winds gusting 50-70 mph expected, move vehicles to higher ground and get things off the ground, better safe than wet,” said Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson.

Showers and even some severe thunderstorms will precede a cold front that crosses North Carolina tonight.

“With the tornado threat added, make sure government alerts are turned on for mobile devices and that you have multiple ways to receive tornado watches and warnings that may be issued by the National Weather Service,” Pearson said.

After the front moves through, a strong low pressure system will develop just offshore and bring a number of coastal impacts.

“Minor to moderate coastal flooding at sea and sound with flooding 2-4 ft above ground level is expected late tonight and Friday,” according to the National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City.

“There is the potential for rapid water level rises for the sound side of Ocracoke and the southern Hatteras Islands on Friday as strong northerly winds develop,” the weather office said.

Due to the threat of high winds, Dare County Schools will have a distance learning day for students with a regular work day for staff.

“Any employee who feels unsafe traveling or is faced with unique circumstances should contact their immediate supervisor immediately,” the school system said in a news release.

The following warnings have been issued on Thursday evening:

Strong wind warning, Friday at 5 to 4 p.m., Duck to Ocracoke, Roanoke Island.
Wind Advisory, Friday 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dare Mainland, Hyde Mainland, Tyrrell County; Friday 4:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Currituck mainland, Carova and Corolla.
Coastal flood warning, Friday at 10.00 a.m. to Saturday 3 a.m., Duck to Ocracoke; Friday at 01:00 to 13:00, Carova to Corolla.
Coastal Flood Advisory, through Friday at 1, Carova to Corolla.
High Surf Advisory, Friday 10 a.m. to Saturday 3 a.m., Duck to Ocracoke; Friday 6am to 3pm, Carova to Corolla.
Storm warning, Friday 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., coastal waters from Currituck Beach Light to Oregon Inlet, Pamlico, Croatan and Roanoke sounds; Friday at 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., coastal waters from Oregon Inlet to Ocracoke Inlet.
Gale Warning, Friday 5 am to 4 pm, coastal waters from Currituck Beach Lighthouse to NC/VA border, Albemarle Sounds, Alligator and Pamlico rivers; Friday at 1 a.m. to 4 p.m., Currituck Sound.

A list of local Outer Banks resources for additional information is as follows: