Key facts
- Alert
- Coastal Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Newport/Morehead City NC
- Areas
- Ocracoke Island; Hatteras Island
- In effect
- until 8:00 PM EDT, Oct 21, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.”
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC, Coastal Flood Warning, 8:24 PM EDT Oct 19, 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, 8:24 PM EDT Oct 19, 2026 · official alert
“Swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.”
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC, Coastal Flood Warning, 8:24 PM EDT Oct 19, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Protect flood-prone property now. If you must travel, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot can sweep a vehicle away.
Stay out of the ocean. The National Weather Service warns of dangerous rip currents, large breaking waves and strong longshore currents. Rip currents can sweep even strong swimmers away from shore.
Plan for road problems. The National Weather Service says parts of NC-12 may be flooded, especially around high tide, and people on Ocracoke could be stranded for multiple days. Have a plan for emergencies and move to higher ground if water rises.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 1,734 claims in county 37095 (1980 to 2025) and 18,957 claims in county 37055 (1978 to 2026). These counts cover only insured properties, so they likely understate total flood losses.
Both counties have had FEMA disaster declarations for hurricanes and tropical storms, 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- The coastal flood warning is no longer in effect.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 PM EDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the coastal flood warning; it remains in effect until 8:00 PM EDT.
- The National Weather Service extended the coastal flood warning until 8:00 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, NC?
- Yes. The National Weather Service Coastal Flood Warning for Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island remains in effect until 5:00 PM EDT Tuesday.
- How high could the water get on Ocracoke?
- The National Weather Service says up to 2 to 4 feet of inundation above ground level is expected in some areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. Flooding may extend inland from the waterfront.
- Is it safe to swim at Ocracoke or Hatteras right now?
- No. The National Weather Service says swimmers should stay out of the water because of dangerous surf, with breaking waves of 6 to 9 feet, rip currents and strong longshore currents.
Sources
- NWS Newport/Morehead City NC: Coastal Flood Warning, Oct 19, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
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