By Joy Crist and Connie Leinbach
As a major winter storm continues to take shape across eastern North Carolina Saturday evening (Jan. 31), National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City expects impacts to intensify overnight into Sunday morning on Ocracoke Island.
As of Saturday evening, Despite flurries all day, Ocracoke has received minimal snowfall, with little accumulation reported so far.
The National Weather Service said heavier snow is expected to develop overnight and has the potential to become historic, with snowfall rates overnight that may exceed 1 to 2 inches per hour in heavier bands.
“This is expected to be a historic storm, with the potential for the first 12″+ snowfall event in eastern NC since December 1989 or March 1980,” the NWS said in an email.
Ferry service to Ocracoke has been shut down and Hyde County officials have closed the Ocracoke Convenience Site until further notice.
After the last ferry departed Ocracoke for Hatteras this morning, NCDOT closed NC12 on Ocracoke Island between the ferry terminal and the NPS Pony Pens.
“We will monitor conditions on the highway and reopen it as soon as it is safe to do so after the storm passes,” read the post on the NC12 Facebook page.
NCDOT closed NC12 between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe at 6 p.m. due to deteriorating conditions and poor visibility.
Blowing and drifting snow, combined with strong winds, is expected to significantly reduce visibility and make travel hazardous to potentially impossible at times. Impacts from snow, wind and cold may linger into much of next week.
Coastal flooding remains a primary concern heading into Sunday morning.
Moderate to locally significant flooding is forecast for both oceanside and soundside areas, with the highest impacts expected around the Sunday morning high tide at roughly 7 a.m.
Forecasters said oceanside inundation of 2 to 4 feet is possible due to elevated water levels and wave runup, while soundside flooding of 2 to 4 feet above ground level may occur as well. Vulnerable sections of N.C. Highway 12, particularly south of Oregon Inlet, could see travel impacts from overwash and standing water.
Strong winds are expected to persist overnight, with gusts along the Outer Banks capable of reaching 55 to 70 mph. These winds may contribute to power outages, blowing snow and rapidly changing road conditions.
