A powerful, slow-moving autumn nor’easter continues to batter the North Carolina coast, and forecasters warn the worst may still be ahead as the stationary storm refuses to budge.
The storm is driving punishing 45 to 55 mile-per-hour wind gusts and throwing massive breaking waves directly into the coast, according to reports. Because the storm refuses to move, severe coastal flooding and extreme high tides will plague the state’s barrier islands through at least Wednesday. The National Weather Service forecasts water levels during high tides from October 19 through October 22 to exceed those experienced so far during this event.
Hatteras cut off again
For the second time in less than a month, the Outer Banks are taking a severe beating. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has closed NC Highway 12 from the Marc Basnight Bridge to Rodanthe, the only roadway connecting Hatteras Island to the mainland, according to reports. Continuous waves caused severe dune erosion, with roughly 800 feet of dune gone near the Pea Island Visitor Center, pushing sand and ocean water across the pavement.
A mandatory evacuation order remains in effect for all visitors on Hatteras Island, with emergency officials blocking incoming traffic, according to reports. Overwash has occurred on side streets from Mirlo Beach through Rodanthe. Ferry operations are experiencing disruptions that may last into midweek, and those on the island should be ready for extended road closures that could limit access to essential supplies.
A familiar ordeal
The timing gives this storm added weight. It comes less than three weeks after a late September nor’easter damaged the same stretch of road, forced NCDOT to activate an emergency ferry route and led crews to build a temporary detour before two lanes reopened October 3, according to reports. The road has already shown how quickly storm damage can cut Hatteras Island off.
