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DARE COUNTY, N.C. (WNCN) — Officials on the North Carolina coast are warning residents of the impacts of a coastal low that arrived Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, impacts are expected along the coast, even though the track seems unpredictable at this time. A coastal flood warning was issued from 8 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Monday by NWS.
The NWS said increased risk of soundside flooding could impact Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. The weather officials said up to 2 to 4 feet of inundation above ground level is possible for soundside Outer Banks.
Also, ocean overwash could impact N.C. Highway 12, making the road inaccessible across Ocracoke Island, according to the NWS.
This has prompted the Dare County Sheriff’s Office to issue a public service announcement Saturday morning to residents in the area.
“While the storm is coming, there is still lots of uncertainty on track,” said Drew Pearson, Director of Dare County Emergency Management. “We will see impacts but they can change from what’s expected this morning.”
Between the threat of ocean overwash and high tides, both local and state officials are on high alert on how this could impact roadways and coastal homes.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, NC-12 remains open this morning, but officials urge the public to drive safely throughout the day. Crews are working on NC-12 to keep the roads clear on Pea Island and Ocracoke, NCDOT officials said.
The NWS also said all Gale Watches have been upgraded to Gale Warnings until Saturday night all along the NC coast. They also predict wind gusts will exceed 50 miles per hour through Sunday night, with wind direction initially east to northeast through Saturday before shifting north and northwest on Sunday.
Additionally, Dare County officials said a wind advisory is in effect for Hatteras Island from 5 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday.
The unpredictability of this Nor’easter has prompted a High Surf advisory from Cape Lookout north through Duck. “Large breaking waves could lead to beach erosion,” NWS officials said, advising mariners that vessels could capsize or get damaged and to consider altering plans to avoid hazardous conditions.
“Rain, wind and inundation/overwash especially during high tides will be with us soon,” Pearson said. “Be ready to protect property from inundation especially in areas with vulnerable dune structures.”
This comes on the heels of the Outer Banks area, specifically the Cape Hatteras shore, being heavily impacted by tropical storms just last week. CBS 17 previously reported that 10 houses were swept away into the Atlantic Ocean in the span of four days. Well over 350 truckloads of debris were removed last week from the area of Rodanthe alone.
“If you are standing at ground level and there is little to no dune between you and the ocean, you are in a vulnerable area,” said Dare County officials. “These areas should be avoided by everyone, especially during high tide, due to the potential for additional at-risk structures to collapse.”
Officials locally and statewide advise residents along NC beaches to sign up for local alerts from their counties and regions, including OBX Alerts, as well as visit the NC DOT pages at drivenc.gov.
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Starletta Watson
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