Major coastal flooding is expected this afternoon from North Carolina through the mid-Atlantic, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
The tropic wind and rainstorm will lead to a storm surge of one to three feet with east-facing bays and sounds having the greatest risk for coastal flooding. Easterly winds may drive water into these areas for several days.
Locally higher storm surge is possible along a corridor from Virginia Beach to Toms River, N.J., with up to six feet possible.
“Persistent onshore winds will allow for major coastal flooding for multiple high tide cycles. Unlike most storms where significant coastal flooding may only occur during one high tide cycle,” said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert. “The slow movement of this coastal storm will allow for multiple high tide cycles of flooding. Some water may be unable to drain between the high tide cycles leading to a compounding effect of the flooding.”
Two to four inches of rain is expected from the Carolina coast to southeastern New Hampshire. The areas of the central North and South Carolina coast that have already received two to five inches of rain may result in up to 10 inches of precipitation.
Conditions in the Outer Banks
Standing water and overwash has been reported in the Outer Banks – on Pea Island, in Buxton and Ocracoke Island, and storm conditions are expected to continue to impact the region through Monday.
The public is being advised to stay away from Buxton where conditions are unsafe, as oceanfront homes continue to be battered by high surf and strong waves. Nine homes collapsed due to damage caused by dual hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean two weeks ago. Eight of the homes were in Buxton; one was in Rodanthe.
ICYMI
- Tropical wind, rainstorm targets East Coast including Outer Banks, Virginia
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Wooden building debris and septic system components have been observed on area beaches today. Visitors are warned to exercise “extreme caution” on beaches in Rodanthe and south of Buxton.
Some portions of N.C. Highway 12 are also closed.
High wind warnings have been issued from Downeast Carteret County north through Duck, with wind gusts up to 60 mph possible, according to the latest forecast.
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore reports travel conditions as “extremely hazardous.”
Visitors should avoid erosion hotspots including:
- Northern portions of Hatteras Island, south of the Basnight Bridge and up to the Pea Island Visitor Center
- Most side streets and Old Highway 12, north of the roundabout in Rodanthe
- Northern portions of Buxton, including Old Lighthouse Road
- The stretch between Frisco and Hatteras Village
Additional closures and hazards
- Off-road vehicle routes will be impassable for much of today and during high tides over the next several days
- The beach in front of the Village of Buxton is closed due to hazardous conditions that may become life-threatening, including damaged and threatened oceanfront structures
- Visitors should stay well away from the water, including powerful waves that runup to the dunes.
Video from Norfolk, Va.
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Crystal Graham
