Parts of Outer Banks to see 22-foot waves, 70-mph gusts and ‘life-threatening’ floods
Parts of the Outer Banks off North Carolina’s coast will see “prolonged” gale force winds, 10 inches of rain and chest-deep flooding from Saturday through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
“A complex and slow moving coastal low will impact the area this weekend. Strong winds, dangerous surf, soundside flooding, ocean overwash, beach erosion, and locally heavy rainfall are all possible,” the NWS warned Friday.
“Potentially life-threatening coastal flooding (is) possible, both from ocean overwash and sound-side flooding.”
Areas north of Cape Hatteras and the nearby Southern Pamlico Sound and Core Sound will feel the brunt of the storm, including flood waters 4 feet above ground level, forecasters say. Nearby areas could see flooding of up to 2 feet.
Among the communities forecast to see flooding is Ocracoke Island, which is still recovering from flooding caused by Hurricane Dorian in September. The heavily damaged N.C. 12 highway on the island just reopened this week, and forecasters now warn portions of it could be “inundated and impassible at times” this weekend.
“We are expecting ... persistent strong north to northeast winds with gusts up to 60-70 mph,” the NWS reported in an event summary. “Storm force winds and dangerous seas (will occur) over the coastal waters, sounds and rivers.”
Peak gusts could reach 64 to 66 mph from Ocracoke to Kill Devil Hills, and waves may exceed 22 feet at The Point on the Outer Banks, forecasters say. Six to 10 inches of rain are forecast for the area, with Frisco expected to see the most, the NWS said.
Rainfall totals could go even higher “as the system strengthens,” officials said late Friday. Flash flooding is still possible, mainly late in the event on Sunday.
Inland areas such as New Burn, Belhaven and Columbia could see up to four inches of rain, officials say.
“Dangerous conditions” will continue through the weekend and “very high seas” will continue into the beginning of next week, forecasters say.
This story was originally published November 14, 2019 at 7:45 AM with the headline "Parts of Outer Banks to see 22-foot waves, 70-mph gusts and ‘life-threatening’ floods."