The National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City, N.C. office has issued a Coastal Flood Warning for all areas of Dare County beginning at 4 p.m. today, Thursday, September 14, 2023, and remaining in effect until 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023.
The Coastal Flood Warning lays out the potential for moderate oceanside flooding (2-4 feet above ground level) along with large, dangerous surf and beach erosion from the Town of Duck to Hatteras Village. On the northern beaches, large breaking waves of 8 to 12 feet should be expected in the surf zone. Hatteras Island could now see breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet in the surf zone. Significant beach erosion should also be expected.
Ocean conditions will bring significant overwash, impacting vulnerable sections of N.C. Highway 12 as well as some secondary roads, especially on Hatteras Island. Conditions may make travel difficult/unsafe—especially during high tides—from Thursday, September 14, 2023 through Saturday, September 16, 2023.
Oceanfront locations—particularly the northern end of Rodanthe and parts of Buxton—where there is no protective dune, could become inundated with ocean water. Residents and visitors who are located in these vulnerable areas of Hatteras Island should take action now to protect property and relocate before structures become surrounded by ocean water. At this time, soundside impacts are not anticipated.
In addition to the Coastal Flood Warning, a High Surf Advisory remains in effect for Dare County until 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Large breaking waves up to 15 feet can be expected in the surf zone, and there is a continued threat of life-threatening rip currents and shorebreak through the weekend. The ocean is quickly becoming extremely unsafe for anyone to enter, including the most experienced swimmers and surfers.
Dare County Emergency Management advises all residents and visitors to stay out of the ocean—and not to put themselves or ocean rescue personnel at risk due to these dangerous surf conditions that are occurring along all Dare County beaches.
To sign up to receive daily beach condition updates via text message, text “OBXBeachConditions” to 77295. For additional information about rip currents, red flag warnings and much more, visit www.LoveTheBeachRespectTheOcean.com.
To receive National Weather Service alerts, create an OBX Alerts user profile at www.OBXAlerts.com and select the National Weather Service watch and warning lists or download the FEMA mobile app and select “Dare, NC” as your primary location.
For updates regarding road conditions, please visit DriveNC.gov and follow North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office also shares local road condition updates on their Facebook page.
To sign up to receive alerts if water levels in your area begin to rise due to storm surge, visit www.FIMAN.NC.gov and select the flood gauge(s) located in the waterway you’d like to monitor in real time.