Unpredictable Sandy likely to stir up trouble here

Rob Morris | October 25, 2012

(NOAA satellite image)

With its exact track still hazy, Hurricane Sandy at the very least will generate coastal storm conditions along the Outer Banks over the weekend with gusty wind and several inches of rain, forecasters say.

On Thursday, the scenario for Sandy called for a widening storm with 75 to 80 mph top winds passing off the North Carolina coast, then turning into the northeastern U.S.

At 5 p.m., the storm was maintaining its strength over the Bahamas, registering 105 mph maximum sustained winds and an expanding wind field, the National Hurricane Center reported.

Computer models have consistently showed the storm heading north for the next day or two, but they differ in forecasting its next move.

Sandy will probably be a hybrid of a nor’easter and a tropical system with high winds spreading hundreds of miles away rather than clustering close to its center.

(NOAA/National Hurricane Center)

Dare County Emergency Management said the forecast calls for northeasterly gale force winds early Saturday night through Sunday evening. Sustained winds are likely to be 45 mph with gusts of 60 mph during the period.

Along with the wind, waves and storm surge, astronomical high tides will add to beach erosion problems.

“Some minor structural damage could occur; however, the most threatening aspect of the storm will be ocean overwash and potential loss of highway along N.C. 12 south of Oregon Inlet on Hatteras Island,” emergency management said in a statement.

As the storm passes and winds shift to the northwest, soundside flooding is also a threat, forecasters said.

Dare County plans to activate its emergency operations center Saturday.

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See what people are saying:

KHer says:

Sandy Sanderson finally gets his due recognition. They named a hurricane after him.

on October 25, 2012 @ 5:13 pm

ann nelson says:

I wonder if the rickety bridge will hold up on 12.

on October 25, 2012 @ 6:19 pm

Lucy says:

only mother nature knows…ann.

on October 25, 2012 @ 7:57 pm

Dperg says:

Severe weather = people more apt to pay attention to weather/news

People more apt to pay attention to weather/news = Ratings/Viewership rises

Rise in viewership = $

$ = creation of the desire to inflate the story for more $

story inflation = jaded average joe who can’t know the difference in truly bad vs. hype

on October 25, 2012 @ 9:49 pm

jomammy says:

Astronomical tides is not a good mixture with these storms! Mother earth will reap havoc as she will. More water than Irene pushed will be interesting to see. Wait and see!

on October 26, 2012 @ 12:22 am

roanokeislander says:

bridge wil be fine. the road south of the bridge will be gone. bridge might end up as an island in a bigger inlet.

on October 26, 2012 @ 12:24 am

ekim says:

Just another day in PARADISE!!!

on October 26, 2012 @ 8:01 am

gangneighbors says:

I think Sandy has paid his dues and can rightfully claim this storm!!!!

on October 26, 2012 @ 8:45 am

lunchbox says:

should be interesting to see if that bridge made of old coffee cans on 12 makes it

be safe people…please!

on October 26, 2012 @ 9:21 am

idrive says:

We are indeed gonna get some weather. Lots of events have been rescheduled. I know the chili cookoff has been moved to Saturday Nov 3rd, Noon to 3 at Coastal Provisions parking lot in Southern Shores. Just FYI folks.

on October 26, 2012 @ 10:22 am

Robbin Banks says:

This is the kind of storm that can have a significant negative impact on the beach (i.e. permanent sand loss), but not do enough damage to be declared a disaster. In other words, no FEMA assistance.

on October 26, 2012 @ 11:16 am

David says:

Does anyone think there will be flooding in the canals and ponds in southern shores like what happened with irene

on October 28, 2012 @ 6:40 pm

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