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, 8:13 PM EDT Oct 20, 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, 8:13 PM EDT Oct 20, 2026 · official alert
“Swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.”
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC, Coastal Flood Warning, 8:13 PM EDT Oct 20, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Protect flood-prone property now. Move valuables and vehicles out of low-lying spots near shorelines and tidal waterways.
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 of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
Stay out of the water. The National Weather Service warns of dangerous rip currents, a hazardous shore break and strong longshore currents. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore.
On Ocracoke, plan for the possibility of being stranded for multiple days, since parts of NC-12 may be inundated, especially around high tide. 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 between 1980 and 2025, and 18,957 claims in county 37055 between 1978 and 2026. These counts cover only insured properties, so they understate total flood losses.
Both counties have had federal disaster declarations tied to tropical systems, including Hurricane Dorian in 2019, Hurricane Florence in 2018 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016. That shows coastal water has caused major problems here before.
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- The coastal flood warning is no longer in effect.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 updated the coastal flood warning; it remains in effect until 8:00 PM EDT.
- NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued the coastal flood warning until 8:00 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 Newport/Morehead City office has a Coastal Flood Warning in effect for Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island until 8:00 PM EDT on Wednesday.
- How much flooding does the National Weather Service expect?
- Up to 2 to 4 feet of inundation above ground level is expected in some areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. Flooding could extend inland and threaten some homes and businesses.
- Is it safe to swim or surf on the Outer Banks right now?
- No. A High Surf Advisory runs until 8 AM EDT Wednesday with breaking waves of 6 to 9 feet, and a Beach Hazards Statement warns of dangerous rip currents. The National Weather Service says swimmers should stay out of the water.
Sources
- NWS Newport/Morehead City NC: Coastal Flood Warning, Oct 20, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
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