North Carolina coast pounded by wind, waves ahead of Tropical Storm Ophelia's arrival
Reporting from Cape Hatteras, FOX Weather multimedia journalist Brandy Campbell reported wind gusts of 30 mph and wave heights rising to 19 feet.
North Carolina coast pounded by wind, waves ahead of Tropical Storm Ophelia
FOX Weather multimedia journalist Brandy Campbell reported from Cape Hatteras, where Tropical Storm Ophelia is bringing powerful wind and creating high surf conditions for eastern North Carolina.
CAPE HATTERAS, N.C. – As Tropical Storm Ophelia moved toward the mid-Atlantic coast Friday, it brought powerful winds and created high surf conditions in eastern North Carolina.
FOX Weather multimedia journalist Brandy Campbell reported from Cape Hatteras, which is located on the line of barrier islands called the Outer Banks.
With blustery conditions whipping sand around the beach and water crashing onto the shore behind her, Campbell spoke of wind gusts of 30 mph and wave heights rising to 19 feet. Some waves were even able to reach beyond the beach and onto the sand dunes.
Campbell fights the wind to remain standing upright in the storm Sept. 22, 2023.
(Brandy Campbell / FOX Weather)
The beach was largely empty of visitors, as most people had retreated indoors for shelter as weather conditions deteriorated.
Campbell spoke to two men who had taken a fishing trip to Cape Hatteras. Rather than being out on the water on Friday, they decided to relax in a restaurant.
The two men sit at a nearly empty restaurant at Cape Hatteras as a waitress stands nearby Sept. 22, 2023.
(Brandy Campbell / FOX Weather)
"We're eating fish, but we're not getting fish, you know what I'm saying?" one of them said to Campbell. "We're going out to eat, but we're just hanging out, catching up, taking a break."
In addition to the water, the roads were also a point of concern for the men, and a concern shared by restaurant employees. If the roads are damaged or made impassable by the storm, employees would not be able to commute home, and customers would not be able to reach the restaurant.
One image taken on Friday afternoon already showed the impact of the wind and waves on nearby roads.
North Carolina DOT crews clearing sand and water from the roadway where they can on Sept. 22, 2023.
(NCDOT NC 12 / FOX Weather)
Locals were also concerned about flooding, particularly north of Cape Hatteras. Water was reduced in Pamlico Sound on Friday morning, but when Tropical Storm Ophelia arrives, the wind will push the water back into the sound. In doing so, locals fear their homes may become flooded.
The image below shows the Pamlico Sound as it looked Friday morning.
This picture was taken from the Jug Handle Bridge looking toward Rodanthe the morning of Sept. 22, 2023. This indicates that water from Pamlico Sound is already being pushed toward the mainland.
(NCDOT NC 12 / FOX Weather)