USA – Hurricane Dorian Floods Outer Banks, North Carolina

by in Americas, News, USA

Storm surge from Hurricane Dorian caused severe flooding on the Outer Banks, a group of barrier islands off the coast North Carolina, leaving hundreds of people trapped on the island of Ocracoke.

A Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City aircrew flies over Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, while en route to drop off medical personnel on the island Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. The crew was taking medical personnel to the island due to the fact that it is not accessible by car. Credit: U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Lt. John Geary

“We estimate about 800 people remained on the island during the storm and have heard reports from residents who say the flooding there was catastrophic,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said. No deaths or serious injuries were reported.

Dorian made landfall at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during the morning of 06 September with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph / 150 kmh, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm then quickly moved north, heading towards Canada.

NWS Morehead City NC reported that water levels at Pamilco Sound, Hatteras Island jumped to 5.97 feet at on 06 September, which is well above major flood stage of 4.5 feet. At Pamlico Sound at Ocracoke, storm surge pushed levels to 6.37 feet on 06 September, above major flood stage of 5.5 feet.

Storm surge from Hurricane Dorian at Pamlico Sound, Hatteras NC. NWS image
Storm surge from Hurricane Dorian at Pamlico Sound, Ocracoke NC. NWS image

Bahamas

Meanwhile the death toll in the Bahamas continues to rise as the devastation caused by Dorian becomes clearer.

Damaged caused by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, September 2019. Credit: U.S. Coast Guard photo

The latest figure from authorities in the Bahamas reveals that 43 people have now died as a result of wind damage and flooding from Dorian. However, it is feared many more are dead or missing. “The public needs to prepare for unimaginable information about the death toll and the human suffering,” Health Minister Duane Sands told local radio.

The most affected islands are Abaco and Grand Bahama, but according to current assessments there are significant damages across the archipelago.

Social Media

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