Key facts
- Alert
- Coastal Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Newport/Morehead City NC
- Areas
- Hatteras Island
- In effect
- until 8:00 PM EDT, Oct 22, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“COASTAL FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING”
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC, Coastal Flood Warning, 8:28 PM EDT Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
“Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.”
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC, Coastal Flood Warning, 8:28 PM EDT Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
“Vulnerable portions of NC-12 may be inundated”
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC, Coastal Flood Warning, 8:28 PM EDT Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Protect flood-prone property now. Move belongings to higher ground if you can, especially in low-lying spots near shorelines and tidal waterways.
If you must travel, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. The National Weather Service warns that 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 surf. The National Weather Service says rip currents, large breaking waves and strong longshore currents make swimming and surfing dangerous, and inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water.
Expect water to be worst around high tide, and keep following local emergency guidance.
Context
Flood-insurance claims through FEMA only count insured properties, so they understate total flood damage. Claims were filed in the county for Ocracoke and Hatteras Island: 1734 from 1980 to 2025 in one county and 18957 from 1978 to 2026 in the other.
Both counties have been included in several FEMA disaster declarations for hurricanes and tropical storms, including Hurricane Dorian, Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Matthew. That shows these shorelines have faced serious coastal flooding 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- The coastal flood warning is no longer in effect.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 extended the coastal flood warning 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, North Carolina?
- Yes. The National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City says the Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect until 8:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- How much flooding is expected on Ocracoke and Hatteras Island?
- The National Weather Service expects up to 2 to 4 feet of water above ground in some areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. Flooding could reach some homes and businesses, and vulnerable parts of NC-12 may go under water, especially around high tide.
- Is it safe to swim near Ocracoke Island today?
- The National Weather Service has a Beach Hazards Statement in effect through this evening for dangerous rip currents, large breaking waves and strong longshore currents. It says inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water.
Sources
- NWS Newport/Morehead City NC: Coastal Flood Warning, Oct 21, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
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