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Beach Hazards Statement
ActiveOcracoke Island
Status
In Progress
Started about 3 hours ago
Ends
Issued
Severity
Moderate
Urgency
Expected
Certainty
Likely
Details
* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Warning, up to 2 to 4 feet of inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. Up to 1 foot of inundation is possible for sound-side flooding when winds become more northerly tonight and Friday. For the Beach Hazards Statements, dangerous rip currents, large breaking waves expected, and strong longshore currents in the surf zone.
* WHERE...Ocracoke Island.
* WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Warning, until 11 PM EDT Friday. For the Beach Hazards Statement, until 8 PM EDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Numerous roads may be closed. Portions of Highway 12 will be inundated. Low lying property including homes, businesses, and some critical infrastructure will be inundated. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Dangerous shore break can throw a swimmer or surfer head first into the bottom causing neck and back injuries. Strong longshore currents will create dangerous swimming conditions.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The next high tide is between 630 to 7 PM this evening. The most likely time for strong rip currents to occur is a couple hours either side of low tide.
Instructions
Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.
Life-threatening rip currents. If caught in a rip current, remain calm. Swim in a direction following the shoreline. If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
Shore break occurs when waves break directly on the beach. It is extremely important to protect your head and neck whenever you are in breaking waves by keeping your hands in front of you at all times.
Strong longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties and other hazardous areas. In many cases, the longshore current is strong enough to prevent swimmers from being able to keep their feet on the bottom making it difficult to return to shore.
Data from the National Weather Service
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