Coastal Flood — Northern Outer Banks, North Carolina

2021-11-06 to 2021-11-07 · Northern Outer Banks, North Carolina

Event narrative

The tide gauge at Duck shows that major flood stage (6.5 feet MLLW) was exceeded through multiple high tide cycles. High water levels combined with breaking waves and wave run up on the beaches, breached dunes along Highway 12 north of Rodanthe causing Highway 12 to be closed for 3 days. The peak value of 6.87 feet (MLLW) was the 4th all time highest value at Duck and the 2nd highest value in a non tropical event.

Wider weather episode

A coastal storm formed off the Southeastern U.S. coast during the weekend of November 6-8th, and in tandem with 'King' tides, or high astronomical tides, produced water level rises of up to 2 to 4 feet above ground level for areas of Eastern NC, along with ocean overwash and severe erosion on the Outer Banks. In addition to the coastal flooding, high winds were recorded over 60 mph in some locations, and storm force winds over the coastal waters.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 994697. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.