Morehead City, NC – Much of Eastern North Carolina spent Saturday mopping up after torrential rain drenched communities from Oriental to Winterville, with more downpours threatening to complicate cleanup efforts through the start of next week. Up to 5.22 inches was reported in Oriental in just 24 hours, while Beaufort picked up more than 4.5 inches and Havelock tallied 3.65 inches. According to the National Weather Service in Morehead City, repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms are likely to stall over the region as a slow-moving front hangs just south of the area.
Localized flooding remains a concern, especially in low-lying spots and near creeks already running high. In Jacksonville and Ayden, totals topped three inches, with neighborhoods seeing street flooding and drivers urged to avoid water-covered roadways. Brief power outages and scattered road closures were reported near Swanquarter, while lighter but still significant rainfall was observed in James City and Winterville.
Residents should stay weather aware, keep phones charged, and have an alternate route in mind as bands of rain redevelop, potentially intensifying at times through Tuesday. Additional advisories may be issued as conditions evolve. Warnings for flash flooding and isolated severe storms remain in effect for coastal and inland communities through early next week.
