Tropical Storm — Eastern Dare, North Carolina

2018-10-11 to 2018-10-12 · Eastern Dare, North Carolina

Event narrative

Storm surge values of 2 to 4 feet above ground were measured across the northern Outer Banks due to the strong southwesterly tropical storm force winds associated with Michael. Widespread wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph were recorded, peaking between about 9pm and midnight on the evening of October 11, 2018. Rainfall amounts were trivial, with most places receiving less than a quarter of an inch of rain.

Wider weather episode

Hurricane Michael was the third-most intense hurricane to make landfall in the United States, behind only the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and Hurricane Camille in 1969. The storm made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida as a Category 4 storm on October 10, 2018, with top winds of 155 mph and a central pressure of 919 mb. Once inland, Michael weakened rapidly and was a Tropical Storm on October 11 as it moved across inland portions of North Carolina before exiting the coast along the Delmarva Peninsula early on October 12, 2018.

As Michael passed through North Carolina, thousands were left without power. Wind gusts as high as 74 mph were observed in Kitty Hawk. Sporadic tree damage along with minor shingle damage was observed across the northern Outer Banks. The main impact in eastern North Carolina from Michael was surge flooding on the northern Outer Banks. Water levels were 2 to 4 feet above ground level on the sound side north of Avon. Hardest hit areas included Manteo, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 789563. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.