5pm Update (1/8) - Hazardous Weather Tomorrow & Wednesday | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    Good Afternoon Everyone,

    This afternoon's update from the National Weather Service (NWS) included another increase in the forecasted wind conditions for Beaufort County. These changes have been underlined below.

    Winds

• A High Wind Warning has been issued for Beaufort Co., meaning sustained winds of 40+ mph for more that one (1) hour as well as gust of 58+ mph are expected.
• Our winds are forecasted to transition through numerous directions and intensities as follows:
• 8a - 2pm Tuesday: SE winds will begin to increase around 8am, becoming sustained between 15 and 25 mph with gust of 30 to 45 possible.
• 3pm - 11pm Tuesday: South winds sustained between 20 and 35mph with gust of 40 to 60 possible.
• Midnight Tuesday - 5am Wednesday: SW winds sustained between 20 and 30 mph with gust of 30 to 40 possible.
• 6am - 4pm Wednesday: West winds sustained between 10 and 25 mph with gust of 25 to 35 possible.
• Our highest winds are forecasted to occur between 5pm and 11pm Tuesday as the strongest part of the cold front passes through our area.

    Flooding

• A Coastal Flood Warning has been issued for Beaufort County, meaning coastal flooding is imminent.
• Our water levels are expected to begin to rise by mid-morning Tuesday and remain elevated through midnight. Water levels should begin to subside during the early morning hours on Wednesday as our winds begin to transition from the west.
• 2 to 4 feet of surge is currently forecasted for our county's waterways. Areas along our northern shorelines that are vulnerable to sustained SE and Souths winds could see locally higher surge amounts. (This will be especially true for Belhaven and other communities along the Pungo River.)
• Here are few things to help put our flood risk into context.
• River gauges near Belhaven reported about 4 1/2 feet of water rise during the storm that occurred a few weeks ago.
• Generally speaking, our county tolerates surge amounts of 4 feet or less relatively well, with localized issues only, to include water on our commonly impacted low-lying roadways in areas such as Belhaven, Pamlico Beach, Whichards Beach Rd, etc. While 4 feet of surge can be inconvenient, it generally does not cause widespread water damage to buildings. However, these impacts can quickly change as we approach 5 feet and beyond. Water at these levels can quickly create significant travel and access hazards associated with flooded roadways, and damage structures. Therefore, it will be imperative that we continue to monitor the forecasted wind conditions for Tuesday. Additional increases to the intensity of Tuesday's SE and South winds will have the potential to increase our expected surge values. (This will be especially true for communities along the Pungo River.)

    Rain

• Rain chances will begin to increase after 8am Tuesday, with rain likely for most areas by 1pm. Widespread rain is forecasted to continue through midnight Tuesday with most areas expected to receive 1 1/2 to 2 inches during that time.
• Our heaviest rains are expected to occur between 7pm and midnight Tuesday.

    Severe Storms

• Beaufort County has been included in an "Enhanced Risk" category for severe weather. This is a rare designation that we believe to have only occurred twice in the past 6 years. Both of those occurrences resulted in significant straight-line wind and / or tornado damage to parts of our county.
• Severe storms capable of producing heavy rains, dangerous winds and isolated tornados are possible as the cold front passes through our area between 6pm and 11pm on Tuesday.

    Please see the email below and attached briefing from the National Weather Service for more information. Their next update is scheduled for 9am tomorrow. We will continue to pass along information as we receive it.

    As always, we thank you all for what you do to keep Beaufort County informed, prepared and safe.


   Chris Newkirk
   Director, Beaufort County Emergency Services
   121 W 3rd St.
   Washington, NC 27889
     Office: (252) 946-0079  •  Cell: (252) 378-5352



    Good evening,

    Attached is the latest briefing for this event. We will send one final PDF briefing by 9:00 am Tuesday.

    Key Messages

• Very strong, potentially damaging winds Tuesday afternoon - Tuesday night
• Moderate to significant coastal inundation possible (see briefing for specific areas)
• Enhanced risk of severe weather, including the possibility of a few tornadoes
• Dangerous marine conditions

NWS_Morehead_City_Briefing_5_Jan_9_10th_2024_0400_pm.pdf

    Regards,

    NWS Newport/Morehead City


   NOAA - National Weather Service
   Newport/Morehead City, NC Weather Forecast Office
   533 Roberts Rd
   Newport, NC 28570