A strengthening nor’easter is moving north after surf damaged NC 12 on Pea Island, forcing a section to close. AccuWeather forecasts worsening coastal flooding from North Carolina to New York through Friday, followed by heavy rain and damaging winds in New England this weekend.
North Carolina’s Department of Transportation said surf breached a dune near the Pea Island Visitor Center on Sept. 23, damaging the road; crews were assessing it. Damage was expected to continue over several tide cycles, coinciding with higher-than-normal tides linked to the Sept. 26 full moon. NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center forecast moderate to major coastal flooding through the weekend, especially at high tide, as onshore winds and high surf combine. It also warned of rip currents and beach erosion.
AccuWeather forecast gusts exceeding 45 mph on the Mid-Atlantic coast through Friday; in southeastern New England, gusts could approach hurricane force, with tree damage and power outages possible. Heavy rain may cause inland flooding in southern New England from Friday through Sunday. Rhode Island Energy said extra crews were ready for outages, while the Cape Cod Times reported that winds could disrupt ferry trips around Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, and between Boston and Provincetown.
