Key facts
- Alert
- Coastal Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Newport/Morehead City NC
- Areas
- Hatteras Island; Ocracoke Island
- In effect
- until 5:00 PM EDT, Oct 20, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.”
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC, Coastal Flood Warning, 8:56 PM EDT Oct 18, 2026 · official alert
“If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.”
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC, Coastal Flood Warning, 8:56 PM EDT Oct 18, 2026 · official alert
“Swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.”
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC, Coastal Flood Warning, 8:56 PM EDT Oct 18, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Protect flood-prone property now. Move belongings and vehicles out of low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.
Limit travel. If you must go out, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. The National Weather Service says just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
Stay out of the water. The warning also mentions dangerous rip currents, large breaking waves and strong longshore currents. Swimmers should stay out of the surf.
Plan ahead if you are on Ocracoke. The National Weather Service says there is a possibility of being stranded for multiple days, and that could be life threatening in an emergency.
Context
The National Weather Service says this could be a long-duration event, with ocean overwash impacts through multiple high tide cycles into the work week. Vulnerable portions of NC-12 may be inundated, especially around high tide.
FEMA flood-insurance claims count only insured properties, so they understate total flood impact. Since 1978, one of the two counties covered has had 18,957 claims, and the other has had 1,734 claims since 1980. Both counties have had several FEMA disaster declarations tied to hurricanes, 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- The coastal flood warning is no longer in effect.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 5:00 PM EDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the coastal flood warning; it remains in effect until 5:00 PM EDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the coastal flood warning; it remains in effect until 5:00 PM EDT.
- NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued the coastal flood warning until 5:00 PM 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 Newport/Morehead City office has a Coastal Flood Warning in effect for Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island until 5:00 PM EDT Tuesday.
- How much flooding is expected on Ocracoke Island?
- The National Weather Service expects two to four feet of inundation above ground level in some areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. Flooding could extend inland and threaten some homes and businesses.
- Is it safe to swim near Ocracoke Island right now?
- No. The National Weather Service says swimmers should stay out of the water because of dangerous surf. A High Surf Advisory calls for breaking waves of 8 to 10 feet, and rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore.
Sources
- NWS Newport/Morehead City NC: Coastal Flood Warning, Oct 18, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
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