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

WINTER STORM THIS WEEKEND, IT'S POSSIBLE!

ncwxauthority

Dec 4, 2018

2 min read

The potential for a Winter Storm to affect NC is still looking likely, models remain very unorganized. With support of many models I am confident enough to add the the accumulating snowfall that is likely map . It includes Hickory and points west to see snowfall, areas east of Hickory remain in the possible section. Many ingredients are coming together to allow for a Winter Storm this weekend across NC, a cold high pressure to our north and a developing coastal low to the south are prefect for a winter storm NC. Just how those ingredients come together will ultimately impact our storm. It looks to be a classic setup for the Carolinas, with cold air to the north, and a wet system moving in from the south in the Gulf. The questions, of course, are what track will it take, how much cold air is available, what type or types of precipitation will we see, and how much. These details will be tough to nail down until we get a little closer. Let me remind you, many snowfall amounts maps are being rapidly shared. Snowfall maps greater than 3 days out are simply wrong, no one knows how much snow or ice will fall yet.

TRACK: Important to remember, that small differences in the storm track make a huge difference. Track 3 along the coast favor snow for everyone west of the track. Track 1 (inland track) favors rain for most of everyone but the mountains. The track between (Green-White) favor an icy mix mess for Triad and foothills, while mountains see a beautiful snow and triangle sees a cold rain with points to the east.

I can say with confidence there will be a storm/ low this weekend, but the track and who sees rain, snow, and or ice is still up in the air.

Right now models have all solutions, meaning any can occur. Stay with us throughout the week for updates regarding this changing situation.

Here’s a guideline of our forecast:

Wednesday- make or break day

Thursday- First Call Snowfall map

Friday Second or maybe third call, everyone panics

Saturday- Final call Saturday Night- Event begins..