Mandatory evacuation issued for Ocracoke Island ahead of Hurricane Maria
The forecast track of Hurricane Maria has shifted slightly west, bringing a small sliver of North Carolina's coast into the cone of uncertainty.
Posted — UpdatedNorth Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division will be helping the evacuation efforts early Monday.
“We encourage all Ocracoke visitors to leave as soon as possible Monday,” said Ferry Division Director Harold Thomas. “We also encourage visitors to leave via Swan Quarter or Cedar Island if at all possible to avoid potential issues on N.C. 12 on Hatteras Island.”
A tropical storm watch has been issued for the coast from Surf City northward to the Virginia border. A storm surge watch has been issued for the coast from Cape Lookout northward to Duck.
The Category 2 storm weakened Sunday as it moves north into waters cooled by Tropical Storm Jose, but Maria still threatens to bring heavy surf and strong rip currents to beaches along the East Coast between Tuesday and Thursday.
"The latest track for Maria shows it loitering off our coast from later Tuesday through Thursday," said WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth. "The problem with this system is it is moving somewhat slowly, and it's going to keep moving slowly over the next few days. That means we are going to have to deal with some very strong wind gusts for a while."
WIlmoth said there is a potential for tropical storm force winds to affect the state's coast from Surf City all the way to Virginia. The potential for storm surges and flooding begins on Tuesday.
If Maria remains on the current track, coastal areas could see tropical storm force winds late Tuesday night into Wednesday, and parts of the Outer Banks would see coastal flooding and beach erosion.
Eight to 10 foot waves would also be possible along the coast as a result of Maria along with .5 to 3 inches of rain, wind gusts between 40 and 74 mph and dangerous rip currents.
A new front moving in after Thursday could kick Maria quickly out to sea, minimizing any impacts.
"We're going to be watching this system for the next few days, into Thursday we're going to be seeing affects from this storm."
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