Storm Watch

NPS Photo

Storms--whether a coastal storm, nor'easter, tropical storm, or hurricane--are a part of living along the coast. Storms can affect the park with overwash, erosion and closures. The park will issue news releases on the storm(s) and any possible impacts to the islands and park operations.

Before, during, and after a storm, please monitor this page as well as our social media account on Facebook and Twitter, and our Current Conditions page for information about park conditions.

 

National Weather Service

Storm Forecast

May 6, 2022
Weather advisory – Long Range forecast: Beyond Friday, a prolonged period of coastal flooding is expected Sunday through Wednesday. During that time multiple days of strong north to northeast winds will combine with offshore waves of 10 to 15 feet. This will produce severe beach erosion, minor to moderate coastal flooding, ocean over wash and high threats for rip currents. The highest threat will be Oceanside from Cape Hatteras north. This will occur over MULTIPLE high tide cycles. Elsewhere elevated water levels are expected for multiple days across sound side Hatteras and Ocracoke Island, Downeast Carteret, and the lower Neuse River.

 

NOAA

May 11, 2022

This pesky low that's been hanging around the last few days makes its closest pass to us tonight before it finally sinks south.

Conditions improve tomorrow before we enter a wetter pattern (that will hopefully bring some much needed rain) to end the week.

Until then the Outer Banks as well as the sound waters in Pamlico Sound, Core Sound, Back Sound and Bogue Sound are under a Gale Warning -- sustained wind speeds of 39 mph to 54 mph.

 

 

 

 

Before & After Satellite Imagery

Left image
Long Point Cabins Before
Credit: / Image Credit: Google Maps

Right image
Long Point Cabins After
Credit: / Image Credit: NOAA

Satellite imagery of Core Banks at the Long Point Cabin Camp showing damage sustained in Hurricane Dorian.

 

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Wild Cows on North Core Banks

Images are of when we first spotted the one cow in September, a photo gallery of images taken of the roundup efforts on November 21 & 22 (including one of all three cows dashing away after being released on their home range) and finally a video of the ferry as it leaves North Core Banks for the mainland carrying the cows and the equipment.

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This wild cow was found on North Core Banks following Hurricane Dorian in early September.  The deep storm surge that flowed from the Pamlico Sound back to the Atlantic Ocean swept her off her home range on Cedar Island over to the barrier island in Cape Lookout National Seashore.  She has now been joined by 2 more wild cows that also were washed over to the barrier island during the storm.

NPS/Jeff West

 

Unlike the wild horses on Shackleford Banks at the southern end of the park, the wild cattle that lived on Cedar Island were not used to seeing humans or having them approach them.  This one took off running when the photographer tried to get closer.

NPS/Jeff West

 

 

Open Transcript

Transcript

No Narration -- only ambient sounds in video

Duration:

19 seconds

The 3 wild cows that were swept from their home range by the storm surge during Hurricane Dorian over to North Core Banks in Cape Lookout National Seashore, were rounded up and returned by ferry to the mainland to be reunited with their herd.