Key facts
- Alert
- Coastal Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Newport/Morehead City NC
- Areas
- Hatteras Island; Ocracoke Island
- In effect
- until 8:00 AM EDT, Oct 20, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.”
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC, Coastal Flood Warning, 5:02 AM EDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
“Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.”
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC, Coastal Flood Warning, 5:02 AM EDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
“Vulnerable portions of NC-12 may be inundated, especially around high tide.”
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC, Coastal Flood Warning, 5:02 AM EDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
What to do
If you must travel, allow extra time because some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. The National Weather Service notes that just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot can sweep a vehicle away.
Take steps now to protect flood-prone property. Move to higher ground if water rises. Flooding may reach inland from the waterfront, and parts of NC-12 may be covered, especially around high tide.
Stay out of the ocean if you are an inexperienced swimmer. Strong longshore currents and waves of 6 to 12 feet are expected in the surf zone, and the beach hazards and high surf alerts are also in effect.
The National Weather Service says this could be a long event with ocean overwash through multiple high tide cycles into next week. Check for updates as it continues.
Context
The two counties covered by this warning have a long record of flood insurance claims. FEMA data shows 1,734 claims in one county (1980 to 2025) and 18,957 in the other (1978 to 2026). These counts include only insured properties, so they understate total flood damage.
Both counties have also had federal disaster declarations for tropical systems, including Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and Hurricane Florence in 2018.
Updates
- The coastal flood warning is no longer in effect.
- The National Weather Service updated the coastal flood warning; it remains in effect until 8:00 AM EDT.
- NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued the coastal flood warning until 8:00 AM EDT.
History here
This county: 1734 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1980, most recent 2025.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4568 (2020): hurricane isaias
- DR-4465 (2019): hurricane dorian
- DR-4412 (2019): tropical storm michael
- DR-4393 (2018): hurricane florence
- DR-4285 (2016): hurricane matthew
This county: 18957 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4837 (2024): potential tropical cyclone eight
- DR-4465 (2019): hurricane dorian
- DR-4412 (2019): tropical storm michael
- DR-4393 (2018): hurricane florence
- DR-4285 (2016): hurricane matthew
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Questions
- Is there a Coastal Flood Warning for Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island, NC?
- Yes. The National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Warning at 3:35 AM EDT on Saturday, October 17, 2026, for Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island.
- How long does the Coastal Flood Warning last?
- It runs from 5 PM this afternoon to 8:00 AM EDT Tuesday. The National Weather Service says the event could last through multiple high tide cycles into next week.
- How much flooding is expected on Ocracoke Island?
- The National Weather Service expects 2 to 4 feet of inundation above ground level in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. Some homes, businesses and roads, including parts of NC-12, may be affected.
Sources
- NWS Newport/Morehead City NC: Coastal Flood Warning, Oct 17, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.