Special Marine Warning Issued for Pamlico Sound and Surrounding Rivers Through 2:15 PM

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City NC has issued a Special Marine Warning for the Neuse and Bay Rivers, Pamlico Sound, and the Pamlico and Pungo Rivers. This alert is effective immediately and remains in place until 2:15 PM EST.

Affected Areas

The warning covers several key waterways and coastal locations, including:

• Pamlico Sound
• Pamlico and Pungo Rivers
• Neuse and Bay Rivers
• Specific locations impacted include Oriental, Belhaven, Swanquarter, Bath, Hobucken, and the vicinity of Slocum Creek, Clubfoot Creek, Adams Creek, and Trent River.
• Impacted ferry routes include the Mid Point of the Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach Ferry Terminal.

What You Should Do

Mariners and those on the water should move to safe harbor immediately. Gusty winds and suddenly higher waves are expected, which can create hazardous conditions for small craft. Mariners should avoid these waters until the storms have passed.

Expected Conditions

At 1:29 PM EST, radar indicated a line of strong thunderstorms extending from 14 nautical miles northwest of the vicinity of Belhaven to 16 nautical miles west of the vicinity of Trent River. These storms are moving east at 35 knots. The primary hazards include wind gusts up to 40 knots and the potential for suddenly higher waves that could damage small craft.

Timeline

The warning was issued at 1:30 PM EST on February 20 and is scheduled to expire at 2:15 PM EST as the line of storms moves through the region.