MAJOR NOR'EASTER WILL BRING SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS TO THE COAST

A developing coastal low will bring major impacts to the coast in a variety of ways starting Friday afternoon through Sunday. The coastal low will begin to move up the coast, starting Friday afternoon bringing heavy rainfall and high winds to the coast especially from Morehead City north to the Outer Banks. A major concern is a potential for major Coastal Flooding, significant sound-side, and ocean overwash is expected. The greatest impacts will be from the Crystal Coast north to the Outer Banks. A High Wind Warning and Coastal Flood Warning has been issued, everything you need to know below. The southern Coast (Wilmington, Pender, New Hanover, and Brunswick County, expect only very minor impacts some gusty winds 30-40MPH 2-4" of rain and no coastal flooding. This is a life-threatening situation for the Outer Banks.

RAIN: Heavy rain will develop and will move in along the coast, starting Friday morning along the southern coast and moving up the coast through the afternoon. The greatest rainfall will be along the coast 2-4" possible for the southern coast (Wilmington South). The heaviest rainfall appears to along the Outer Banks and Crystal coast 3-5" with locally higher amounts of 4-8" likely. Minor Flash Flooding will be possible, but due to the long duration of rain flooding will be low from rain.

COASTAL FLOODING (STORM SURGE) Significant to life-threatening coastal flooding expected along the Outer Banks starting Friday night through Sunday. The flooding will be both from ocean overwash and sound-side flooding. Potential for life-threatening storm surge, 2 to 4 feet above the ground with higher amounts possible High surf, beach erosion and ocean overwash likely. Locations of greatest concern, Ocean side locations from Duck down to Ocracoke Island. Sound Side locations in Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.

IMPACTS Up to 2 to 4 feet of inundation above ground level, with locally higher amounts, is possible in some areas near shorelines and tidal waterways resulting in an elevated threat of property damage. Rough surf, beach erosion, and ocean overwash are possible along the oceanside, and portions of Highway 12 could be inundated and impassable at times. Severe flooding will extend inland from the waterfront causing flooding of many homes and businesses with some structural damage possible. In some areas, battering waves will cause additional damage to property. Numerous roads will be impassable under several feet of water and vehicles will be submerged. Some neighborhoods will be isolated and some areas may need to be evacuated.

Potential for life-threatening inundation for areas adjacent to the Southern Pamlico Sound and lower Neuse River. Rough surf, beach erosion and ocean overwash possible north of Cape Lookout.

GREATEST IMPACTS: Strong northerly winds will bring major Coastal Flooding to the Outer Banks. Soundside Outer Banks south of Oregon Inlet to Carteret County. The Lower Neuse River and the southern shores of Albemarle Sound and Alligator River. Significant oceanside impacts are expected along the Outer Banks from Cape Hatteras north to Oregon Inlet. High 12 will become inundated and impassible in some portions this weekend.

High Winds are likely mainly along the coast from Carteret County to the OBX Hyde and Dare counties, winds could gust up to 60-70MPH along the immediate coast. Impacts power outages likely will be possible and some damage to weakened properties. Strongest period of winds will be from Saturday morning to early Sunday along the Outer Banks.

South to the Cape Fear only minor wind gusts to 35-45MPH little to no impacts here from wind, however; the closer the low moves to the Cape Fear, Wilmington, Brunswick County area there could be stronger impacts.

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