NCCOHAZ New Bytes

2011-11-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

Coastal Storm Will Impact the NC Coast

Last weekend a Nor'easter blanketed the New England area in snow, and NC residents saw some rain and temperatures in the 30s. Tomorrow another low pressure system will pass closer to our area bringing rain and strong winds. A Gale Warning is in affect for coastal areas. High winds, waves and water levels may cause coastal problems. Please monitor the conditions NWS Morehead City Forecast.

2011-09-02T08:01:00.000-07:00

Some Outer Banks Communities Still Struggling

Much of the Outer Banks (OBX) is open for business, and tourists will hopefully flock there this Labor Day Weekend. But parts remain crippled from Irene. For the OBX, the harshest hazard was sound-side flooding, which the Outer Banks Voice comments was missed by larger news outlets. Winds over the vast Pamlico and Albemarle sounds created a 3-7 ft surge, and waves up to 5 ft would have been superimposed on this. The resulting conditions submerged cars, grounded boats and destroyed homes, including the well-known Stinson’s Ranch (see ABC news). Also, new inlets were cut, severing the island supply line. The status of HWY 12 and before-after comparisons can be found at a NC DOT site, but options are being figured out now. The slow recovery of Hatteras Island and other areas is described by the Island Free Press.

2011-08-29T11:30:00.000-07:00

Irene Impacts: Significant but not Catastrophic

Hurricane Irene made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane. It was a large storm which traversed the expansive Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system, and this track coupled with high rainfall lead to large water surges and flooding. Also, powerful wind gusts across eastern NC downed many trees and caused widespread power outages. Ocean shoreline erosion in Carteret or Dare counties was not extreme, but several breaches of HWY 12 occurred between Pea Island and Rodanthe (e.g., see above in NGS aerials), stranding 2500 people. Consult city, county, state and federal (e.g., FEMA) agencies for damage assessments, closures and assistance information. Fortunately, Irene weakened before landfall. Hopefully another hurricane does not make landfall this season, but time remains.

2011-08-27T05:09:00.000-07:00

A Weaker, But Large and Powerful Irene Arrives in NC

Hurricane force winds with gust near 100 mph have been recorded along the NC coast, and large waves (over 20 ft) have been pounding the shorelines. Two piers (Sheraton and Bogue Inlet) are reported to be significantly damaged. Overwash is occurring across Ocracoke and likely other OBX spots. Storm surge will vary greatly across the complex NC coast, but high tide is occurring now (~7AM EST) at many sites. This coupled with surge has produced a 6+ ft storm tide in Beaufort (show above). Higher water levels are expected in the sounds and along the OBX.

2011-08-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

Inlet Opening on the Outer Banks, A Threat from Irene

Irene will pass close to if not over the Outer Banks. The storm surge will likely be significant (8+ ft); the waves will certainly be large (12+ ft), and unfortunately, the tide will be relatively high (4 ft at 6PM on 8/27). As a result, overwash many occur in many areas, and breaches could form at Rodanthe or sites of recent inlets: Isabel Inlet (near Hatteras Inlet, opened during Hurricane Isabel in 2003), Buxton Inlet (just north of Cape Hatteras, opened by a Nor'easter in 1962) and New Inlet (Pea Island, opened by a hurricane in 1933). Learn more here about the areas vulnerable to inlet opening. Image above of Isabel Inlet (view looking south) was taken by Stan Riggs.

2011-08-23T12:58:00.000-07:00

Irene: A Great Beaufort Hurricane (1879) … or a Hurricane Earl (2010)?

In 1879, the Great Beaufort Hurricane made landfall as a Cat 3 hurricane (track above). Wind speeds of ~170 mph were estimated after anemometers cups were blown away. Its death toll was 46 people, and major damage occurred in NC. Hurricane Isabel (2003) was a Cat 2 hurricane that crossed the Outer Banks at Ocracoke, causing >$3 billion in damage and opening a new inlet. But, some hurricanes move offshore near Cape Hatteras, like Hurricane Earl last year. The fate of Irene is unclear. Get prepared NC. Learn about past NC storms.

2011-08-23T04:49:00.000-07:00

Irene Looks Irate

With convection activity exploding near her developing eyewall, Hurricane Irene is taking shape and appears to be building into a very powerful tropical cyclone. The present NHC forecast has landfall near Wilmington, NC as a Cat 3 hurricane. A concern is that forecasters suggest it will reach Cat 4 strength but weaken before landfall. Note, models are showing more agreement in this track. Residents and visitors should start making preparations.

2011-08-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

Eye on Irene: Watch Out for the First Atlantic Hurricane This Season

Although Hurricane Irene doesn't have an impressive structure (e.g., an eye) at the moment, this sizable storm is forecast to stregthen to a Category 3 storm in a few days. Models of this system (as shown above) disagree on the future of this system, but the coast of North Carolina will likely experience effects, and it could be where Irene comes ashore. Residents should think about their preparedness for potentially a Major (Cat 3+) hurricane.

2011-08-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

Tropical Storm Irene Worth Watching

Invest 97 evolved into TS Irene yesterday. This large system is near the Lesser Antilles and could develop into a hurricane fairly quickly. But, it's forecast track takes over Hispaniola and Cuba, and land interaction could weaken it. The fate of the storm is unclear; some models have it hitting Florida or moving along the East Coast while others show it heading into the Gulf. Residents should keep an eye on Irene.

2011-08-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Atlantic Gets Lively

Although there have been a number of named tropical systems in the Atlantic this year (Emily has already been used), so far they have been relatively weak and inconsequential. But, it looks like the activity is increasing, and NOAA recently raised its number of expected systems. Currently, four areas of concern are being monitoried by the National Hurricane Center. Only one of these (93L) looks like it could become a threat to the NC coast.

2011-07-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

Tropical Storm Brett Won't Visit NC

Tropical Storm Brett spins in the Atlantic. It doesn't look like it will pose a threat to the continental U.S., but it reminds us that the 2011 hurricane season is underway. And the heat we are experiencing is affecting ocean temperatures, which may eventually help hurricanes become more intense in the coming weeks.

2011-06-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

Inlets Are Not Man’s Best Friend
On a sunny, summer day, boaters get excited as they cruise full steam out of the mouth of an inlet into the vast ocean. But inlets are complex coastal geological features, and their constant change poses a major hazard for boaters and property owners. In the wake of a few recent inlet boating accidents in NC the US Coast Guard has released a brochure to warn mariners of inlet hazards: See USCG Brochure. Home owners, investors and regulators also should recognize the great risk of development near inlets. Expanded inlet hazard zones proposed by the Div. of Coastal Management have been criticized and consequently put on hold, but hurricane season is here and Neptune may have other plans.

2011-05-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

The Hurricane Season Looms

Above: The eye of Hurricane Isabel, 2003 (NASA).
The hurricane season officially starts June 1st. NOAA forecasts "a 65% chance of an above normal" hurricane season in the Atlantic basin. More specifically, the agency lists the potential for 12-18 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes and 3-6 major hurricanes (Cat 3 or higher). It is time to get prepared.

Learn more about North Carolina's hurricane history, and become more familiar with the destructive impacts from previous hurricanes on our state.

2010-08-30T14:24:00.000-07:00

Keep an Eye on Earl

Earl is now a major hurricane with winds of 135 mph, and is still strengthening. Eastern NC remains in the forecast cone. See forecast and model tracks at www.stormpulse.com, a nice mapping web site (screen shot is above). Earl remains ~4 days from reaching the NC coast, and it is important to remember that the forecast track has 2-3 hundred miles of potential error over this time frame. NC must keep a close watch on this powerful storm. Prepare now by viewing the Emergency Information page.

2010-08-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

Two Tropical Systems Now in the Atlantic

It has taken a while, but the Atlantic hurricane season has come to life (left, NHC). Hurricane Danielle is now a well-defined hurricane, although it looks like it will recurve and pose no direct threat to land. However, Invest 96 has been given a 90% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. Historically, however, systems in this part of the Atlantic only have a 20% chance of impacting the East Coast (FSU Meteorology).

2010-08-02T14:49:00.000-07:00

Tropical Depression Four has developed in the central Atlantic Ocean. The immediate forecast has it strengthening some and heading west-northwest fairly rapidly. But, the models vary dramatically on the forecast path over the long term, and shear over the forecast region may limit growth of this system. At the moment, it is a good idea for North Carolina to keep an eye on it. Check on its status at the Weather Underground (source of the image at left) or your favorite weather center.

2010-07-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

Quiet Hurricane Season So Far But...

... a tropical depression may form in the next 48 hours according to the National Hurricane Center. A strong tropical wave near Puerto Rico has been given a 60% chance of further development. Most people are well aware that NOAA has forecast the 2010 season to be an active one. Specifically, NOAA indicates there is an 85% chance for an above normal season with 14-23 Named Storms, 8-14 Hurricanes and 3-7 Major Hurricanes. This estimate is generally consistent with other predictions. North Carolina could see a hurricane soon.

2010-07-19T12:23:00.000-07:00

NCCOHAZ recently embedded a blog in the main page to publish news more rapidly. Follow the blog here or directly at http://nccohaz.blogspot.com/ to catch up with coastal hazard news in North Carolina.

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