Observer staff report with SamWalkerOBXnews.com
It could have been worse. While Tropical Storm Debby made its second landfall on Thursday along the South Carolina coast, Ocracoke and the Outer Banks avoided the worst of the weather on Wednesday with intermittent downpours and high wind in the 20s-mph zone and some higher gusts persisting as the outer bands of Debby’s winds whip the coast. The storm direction heading north is in the middle of North Carolina.
Hatteras-Ocracoke vehicle ferries are running today (Thursday) on an intermittent schedule but not the passenger ferry. You can call the Hatteras ferry office for updates: 252-996-6000.
The Pamlico Sound ferry routes were suspended today due to high winds. For more information regarding the Pamlico Sound ferries, Cedar island and Swan Quarter, call 800-293-3779.
As of Thursday afternoon, the roads of Ocracoke, for the most part are clear with no standing water.
While the Outer Banks and northeastern North Carolina have avoided the worst of the weather so far, more rain is possible into Friday while the rough surf and deadly rip currents could persist into the weekend.
A High Surf Advisory continues from Oregon Inlet to Ocracoke Inlet for breaking waves of 4 to 8 feet through Friday afternoon.
There is also a risk of Hatteras and Ocracoke experiencing some ocean overwash at high tide, which will be at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, and noon on Friday.
N.C. Department of Transportation has staged crews from Oregon Inlet to Ocracoke in case there is overwash that pushes sand and ocean water on to N.C. 12.
NCDOT reported some minor overwash during the 11 a.m. high tide on Thursday, but NC12 remains open and passable with some sand and water on the road.
“Sudden downpours can create several inches of water in some locations, so slow down and drive with extreme caution,” NCDOT said in an X post.
A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect through Friday morning for Ocracoke, where water levels could rise 1 to 2 feet.
State recreational water quality officials are advising the public to avoid swimming in North Carolina coastal waters from the Wright Memorial Bridge in Kitty Hawk to the South Carolina state line that have been affected by Tropical Storm Debby.
“The surf zone will be very rough/chaotic, and we anticipate shore break of 4 to 6 feet for all eastern North Carolina beaches (on Thursday),” said NWS Newport Meteorologist David Glenn.
A high risk of rip currents is forecast for Thursday for all North Carolina beaches, where red flags will be flying and everyone should stay out of the ocean.
Several twisters struck central and southern coastal areas and interior eastern North Carolina overnight, with one person killed when a house collapsed in Wilson County from a tornado that damaged at least nine other homes and a middle school.
Seven people have died across the southeast since Debby came ashore as a hurricane in Florida on Monday.
Flash flooding has also been reported in central North Carolina this morning, and is expected to continue through Friday as the center of the system moves through tomorrow.
Along the Outer Banks, minor rainwater flooding has been reported in areas where heavy downpours have moved through.
Standing rainwater of up to two feet deep was reported Thursday on some parts of N.C. 12 in Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo.
That water receded relatively quickly but ponding of rain water in other usual problem areas also been reported where the heaviest of showers have moved through since Tuesday.
A flood watch remains in effect for all of eastern North Carolina.
