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Flood Watch National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC 403 AM EST Thu Feb 18 2021

The Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for:

* A portion of eastern North Carolina, including the following areas, Beaufort, Coastal Onslow, Duplin, East Carteret, Greene, Hatteras Island, Inland Onslow, Jones, Lenoir, Mainland Dare, Mainland Hyde, Martin, Northern Craven, Northern Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island, Pamlico, Pitt, Southern Craven, Tyrrell, Washington and West Carteret.

* Through Friday evening.

* Prolonged period of steady rainfall will occur from this morning through Friday evening, with 2 to 2.5 inches of rainfall expected. Saturated ground will result in efficient runoff and flooding issues can be anticipated for low lying areas near creeks and streams, which are already running backfull. Additionally, numerous area mainstem rivers are already in flood stage and are forecasted to continue rising.

* Low lying areas near creeks, streams, and rivers could become inundated with floodwater and inaccessible. Flooding of roadways and road closures possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe.

Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas.