Coastal Flooding Threatens Eastern North Carolina on Friday: Forecasters Say

Coastal flooding is threatening eastern North Carolina this coming Friday, May 19, due to the potential occurrence of excessive rainfall by the end of the week.

This means that communities along the state's Atlantic coast are at risk of coastal erosion as waters from the Atlantic Ocean could reach the eastern shore. Inland or riverine flooding is also possible in North Carolina in the coming hours and days.

The forecast came after meteorologists issued a forecast about a cold front system hovering over the U.S. East Coast, where temperatures are expected to get lower in major cities, including New York City and Boston.

With this, inclement weather may cause disruption in North Carolina and potentially other states across the Eastern Seaboard.

North Carolina Weather Forecast

In their forecast, the WITN television station's weather team said Friday will be a "First Alert Weather Day' due to the potential rainfall that can surpass 1.5 inches in less than 24 hours for some parts of eastern North Carolina. In particular, the eastern part and Highway-17 corridor could experience the most flooding.

The adverse weather is expected to arrive shortly after midnight on Friday, primarily along the Crystal Coast where it will move in a northeastward pattern towards the city of Virginia Beach in Virginia. The rainy storm will continue until Friday afternoon and evening, where the heaviest rain will depart northern countries and move forward into Virginia.

North Carolina Damaging Winds

Damaging winds are also possible in North Carolina, where it could reach up to 40 miles per hour during daytime hours and sustained winds of up to 20 miles per hour for most of the time, according to the WITN.

The coastal flooding forecast coincides with the previous forecast, in addition to heavy rain and flooding. Rainfall events damaging winds and tornadoes crossed the Appalachians and mid-Atlantic.

regions on Thursday, May 18, according to Fox Weather.

Potential Disruption

North Carolina and its surrounding states across the East Coast can experience widespread power outages as the powerful winds of weather system can bring down power lines, as reported in previous weeks.

Furthermore, the unsettling situation of the sea could also threaten beachgoers and swimmers, as well as fisher, which can result in potential casualties.

2021 North Carolina Flooding

Being situated along the East Coast, North Carolina is vulnerable not only to Atlantic hurricanes but also to coastal flooding, a risk similar to many coastal states and communities. This danger has been evident in the said U.S. state in recent years.

In August 2021, a deadly flash flooding in North Carolina led to around 20 missing people and two others dead. These occurred due to the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred that year. Fred made landfall along the country's northern Gulf Coast before its remnant spread through the southern Appalachians region, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).