HURRICANE GUSTS HIT N.C. OUTER BANKS

A storm system which included hurricane-strength wind gusts up to 115 mph hit North Carolina’s Outer Banks early this month as a storm system pushed through North Carolina, bringing with it wind gusts and driving rain.

According to Tony Spencer, Hyde County emergency management coordinator, a 115 mph gust was reported on Ocracoke Island at the state ferry docks. Seas were reported at 20 feet at Diamond Shoals off Hatteras Island and 14 feet off Duck, on the northern Outer Banks.

Robert Frederick, National Weather Service forecaster at the Newport, N.C. office, said a low-pressure system deepened more than forecasters predicted, creating more powerful winds. Nearly five inches of rain fell on Hatteras Island.

Flooding and rainwater made N.C. 12 on Ocracoke Island impassable and about 18 inches of rainwater flooded the streets in the island village.