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Growing risk of Coastal Flooding along the Outer Banks

Ethan Clark

September 22, 2026 at 10:11:05 PM

Our Nor’easter will start to get going by tomorrow evening. I'm still expecting a Coastal Flooding risk along the Outer Banks. Winds along the Outer Banks will gust 30-45 MPH tomorrow; coastal flooding risk will begin by tomorrow evening, but based on the data, the greatest risk of moderate coastal flooding will be with high tide Thursday morning, Thursday night, and Friday morning. We will likely see flooding along Highway 12 on Pea Island, south of Oregon Inlet and potentially in Buxton. So if you need to leave Hatteras Island because you must be off the Island Thursday/Friday or Saturday morning, I would do it tomorrow. 40-50MPH wind gusts likely Thursday into Friday along the Outer Banks.

There will be a risk of some Coastal Flooding North of Oregon Inlet, but generally less of a risk to Highway 12 in these locations.


Highway 12 at the North end of Ocracoke could also become impassable at times.


You'll have to leave Ocracoke most likely via second sound class ferry service to Swansquarter or Cedar Island, but high winds could impact that too.


I'll continue to monitor.


#noreaster #outerbanks


-Ethan

Mountains

110°F

Raleigh area

CADEN NELSON

CADEN NELSON

SUNDAY: Chance for strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening

Jun 14
1 min read

Here's my midday update on the storm risk, including the potential for a few strong-to-severe storms this afternoon and evening. It'll be hot and humid today before any storms start to develop, so take it easy. We will have a front moving through the state tonight, which will, dare I say, usher in some slightly cooler air for the beginning of the week.


Ahead of the front, scattered showers and thunderstorms will be have the potential to develop across the state, mainly in clusters/hit or a hit-or-miss setup. They'll be scattered, so not everyone will see them by any means, but there will be some storms around. However, thanks to the combination of heat and humidity (HIGH CAPE VALUES) and some Wind Shear, a couple of strong to severe storms are possible today; the main threat is going to be damaging winds from downbursts. Downbursts (a powerful, localized column of sinking air (a downdraft) within a thunderstorm that plummets to the ground and spreads out in all directions. It can create destructive, straight-line winds)


Severe weather does not impact everyone, and storm coverage today will be very hit-or-miss, but we should keep an eye on it, especially if you have outdoor late-afternoon/evening plans. Severe weather can vary significantly over short distances. To stay safe, ensure you have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts and a pre-planned, secure location where you can take cover when conditions deteriorate.


I posted some future radar images, but made them small because the future radar models don't do great on days like this, which gives you an idea of the scattered nature. I'll keep you updated!

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