Dare County Emergency Management is closely monitoring a strong coastal storm that has developed off the East Coast and is expected to bring impacts to the area this week.
The National Weather Service at Newport/Morehead City, N.C., has issued a Coastal Flood Watch for all areas of Dare County, effective until 12 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The most significant impacts are expected to occur Wednesday evening (September 23, 2026) into Friday evening (September 25, 2026), with the high tide cycles seeing the greatest oceanside inundation.
These expected impacts include:
- Large waves bringing very dangerous surf conditions, life-threatening rip currents and beach erosion
- Moderate to strong N to NE winds with gusts of 40 to 50 mph
- Minor to moderate ocean overwash at vulnerable locations along the Outer Banks, particularly portions of N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island
- Minor soundside coastal flooding along the southern Pamlico Sound (Hatteras Island)
Minor ocean overwash may continue into the weekend with each high tide. Additional watches and warnings should be anticipated from the National Weather Service as the coastal storm continues to develop and brings impacts to the area. Text “DareEmergencyAlerts” to 77295 to sign up for emergency text alerts.
Prepare to Protect Property from Coastal Flooding & Overwash:
Residents and visitors who are located along the oceanfront—particularly in areas with compromised dune structures—will see the greatest potential for impacts. If you are located in an area with vulnerable dune structures, be ready to take action to protect property from ocean overwash. On Hatteras Island, these areas include the north end of Rodanthe as well as Buxton.
If you are standing at ground level and there is little to no dune between you and the ocean, you are in a vulnerable area.
Road Conditions:
Travel—particularly on N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island—has the potential to become dangerous due to forecast strong winds, rainfall and ocean overwash, which could result in road closures. Residents and visitors are encouraged to keep a close eye on the forecast.
Everyone should be prepared to minimize travel as conditions deteriorate. If travel is necessary, use extreme caution and remain alert for changing road conditions. Turn around, don’t drown if you encounter flooded roadways, and never drive around or past a barricade or other barrier placed to close a road. Remember, it only takes a few inches of moving water to sweep a vehicle off the roadway.
For updates regarding road conditions, please visit DriveNC.gov and follow theNorth Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook.
Buxton Beach Nourishment Update:
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company has announced that it will temporarily suspend beach nourishment operations in Buxton ahead of the coastal stormimpacts; however, the dredges will continue to work until conditions worsen. This will likely be late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Both dredges currently working on the project, the Liberty Island and Amelia Island, will then leave the site to seek safe harbor before conditions deteriorate.
Prior to the storm, Great Lakes will move heavy equipment from the beach to its staging area located at Cape Court in Buxton. Sections of shore pipe will be broken down and staged as high as possible on the beach, and the only pipe remaining on the beach will be the subline landing point.
Following the storm, the Amelia Island will not return to the project site. The Liberty Island will resume beach nourishment operations and complete the remaining work, with approximately 250,000 cubic yards of sand still to be placed along the shoreline within the project area. Once pumping operations resume, the remaining work is expected to take approximately seven days to complete.*
As a result of the weather-related pause, completion of the Buxton beach nourishment project, previously anticipated by the end of September, is now expected during the first week of October.*
For more information about beach nourishment, including answers to frequently asked questions, visit MoreBeachToLove.com.
*Please note that the project timeline is subject to change due to weather, equipment issues and other unforeseen circumstances. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Dare County Departmental Cancellations:
Dare County Library Program Cancellations
The Dare County Library has announced that the Hatteras Library branch has cancelled the Storytime sessions that were previously scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m.
For additional information, please contact any Dare County Library at the following numbers.
Kill Devil Hills Library: 252.441.4331
Manteo Library: 252.473.2372
Hatteras Library: 252.896.2385
Additional information regarding any departmental closures and cancellations of county programs and services will be posted at DareNC.gov/Storm as it becomes available.
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