Coastal Flood — Eastern Dare, North Carolina

2018-03-04 · Eastern Dare, North Carolina

Event narrative

Slow moving low pressure offshore produced large northeast swells that impacted the Outer Banks March 3rd and 4th. These large swells produced significant ocean over-wash and coastal flooding on Outer Banks Dare county. The highest water levels occurred during the high tide centered around 9 am March 4th. Many sand dunes, some up to 30 feet, were destroyed. Ocean over-wash flooded portions of Highway 12 with water 2 to 3 feet deep closing it for long periods of time. Over 1 foot of sand and debris was deposited on sections of Highway 12 and other roads. The pounding surf and coastal flooding also damaged beach front property especially in the Avon area.

Wider weather episode

Strong low pressure passed just to the north of eastern North Carolina on March 2nd then continued to deepen while only slowly moving offshore March 3rd and 4th. This system produced very strong west winds as it passed just to the north of the area and then gusty north winds for several days as it lingered well to the northeast. The long duration of strong winds led to significant coastal flooding and ocean over-wash along the Outer Banks.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 737865. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.